Polishing brush

Abstract

Provided is a polishing brush capable of polishing a glass surface without causing damage thereto. The polishing brush includes a brush bristle material comprising a basalt fiber and a resin.

Description

Abrasive brush

[0001] The present invention relates to an abrasive brush.

[0002] As a brush bristle material for an abrasive brush used for deburring, removing tool marks, etc., a material obtained by impregnating a bundle of inorganic long fibers such as alumina long fibers with a binder resin and then curing the same is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 7142890

[0004] Generally, alumina long fibers (abrasives) have high hardness and rigidity, and abrasive brushes using alumina long fibers have high grinding power. As the abrasives in such brushes are used on a workpiece, new cutting edges are naturally generated at the tip of the brush as the abrasives in the brush bristles break down. However, these brushes are designed to minimize the occurrence of polishing marks on the surface of the workpiece they come into contact with. However, polishing marks can occur depending on the nature of the workpiece, and there is a need for further improvements, particularly for polishing glass.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an abrasive brush that can polish glass surfaces without damaging them.

[0006] An abrasive brush according to one aspect of the present invention includes brush bristles made of basalt fibers and resin.

[0007] According to this embodiment, when the brush bristles are used on glass, the basalt fibers do not cleave, and the brush bristles polish the glass surface. This makes it possible to remove only the deposits (e.g., dirt and dust) on the glass surface without leaving any polishing marks on the glass surface. Therefore, the glass surface can be polished without being damaged.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the resin may be a thermosetting resin.

[0009] According to this aspect, in manufacturing the brush bristle material, the basalt fiber can be impregnated with resin and then cured, making it possible to easily obtain FRP brush bristle material with a high specific strength.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the thermosetting resin may be an epoxy resin.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the epoxy resin easily hardens together with the basalt fiber and has a relatively strong bond with the basalt fiber. The epoxy resin may be a moisture-curing type. Moisture-curing epoxy resins do not require the addition of water from the outside to harden the epoxy resin, allowing for efficient production of brush bristle materials.

[0012] In the above aspect, the brush bristle material may have a ratio of epoxy resin to basalt fiber in the range of 10:90 to 30:70.

[0013] This configuration allows for a balance between the properties of the brush bristles and their abrasive power. For example, by using 10% or more epoxy resin, the brush bristles can achieve the properties (shape and hardness) required for abrasion. On the other hand, by using 70% or more basalt fiber, the required abrasive power can be achieved.

[0014] An abrasive brush according to another aspect of the present invention includes brush bristles made of fibers of one or more minerals and a resin, the fibers having no cleavage. The resin may be a thermoplastic resin or an epoxy resin.

[0015] According to this embodiment, when the brush bristle material is used on glass, the fibers do not cleave, and the glass surface can be polished without being damaged. Examples of fibers that do not have cleavage include basalt fibers, rock wool, and glass fibers.

[0016] In the above aspect, the fibers may include glass fibers.

[0017] According to this aspect, when the brush bristle material is used on glass, the glass fibers do not cleave, and the glass surface can be polished without being damaged.

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an abrasive brush that can polish a glass surface without damaging it.

[0019] 1 is a perspective view of an abrasive brush according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a micrograph showing a glass surface before an abrasion test; FIG. 3 is a micrograph showing a glass surface after an abrasion test in an example; and FIG. 4 is a micrograph showing a glass surface after an abrasion test in a comparative example.

[0020] The abrasive brush according to this embodiment includes brush bristles. The number and arrangement of the brush bristles can be selected according to the shape and size of the object to be polished. For example, when polishing a large, flat glass surface (such as a car door mirror), it is more efficient to use a bundle of two or more brush bristles (hereinafter referred to as a "bristle bundle") arranged collectively (hereinafter referred to as a "brush bundle").

[0021] The brush bristle material is made of basalt fiber and resin. The multiple brush bristle materials used in the bristle bundle or brush bundle are made of one type of basalt fiber and resin. Basalt fiber is made from naturally occurring basalt, which is heated, melted, and spun into fibers. However, in other embodiments, the multiple brush bristle materials may contain different types of resin. In another embodiment, the multiple brush bristle materials may include other filaments, such as filaments made of metal materials, inorganic long fibers, or synthetic resin fibers.

[0022] From another perspective, the brush bristle material is composed of fibers made of one or more non-cleavable minerals and a resin. The non-cleavable fibers are the basalt fibers described above, but are not limited to these. For example, rock wool or glass fiber can also be used as fibers derived from non-cleavable minerals. As with the above, the multiple brush bristle materials used in a bristle bundle or brush bundle may be made of one type or may include other types.

[0023] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the abrasive brush 10 includes a brush body 11 and a holding member 12 that holds the base end of the brush body 11 .

[0025] The brush body 11 is made up of a plurality of brush bristles 20. In the brush body 11, the plurality of brush bristles 20 may be arranged as a single bundle as a whole, or may be arranged in multiple bundles. Here, the plurality of brush bristles 20 are collectively arranged as five bristle bundles 30, i.e., a brush bundle 40. Two or more brush bristles 20 are bundled into one bristle bundle 30. The five bristle bundles 30 are each of the same size and shape, and are arranged in a ring shape around the axis of the abrasive brush 10.

[0026] The holding member 12 has a cylindrical portion 14, and five hole-shaped holding portions are formed on one end surface of this cylindrical portion 14 for inserting and holding the base ends of each bristle bundle 30. The abrasive brush 10 can be detachably attached to a rotary drive device (abrasive device) via the holding member 12. For example, if the holding member 12 is configured as a so-called end type, a shaft is provided in the center of the other end surface of the cylindrical portion 14, and this shaft is detachably connected to a chuck portion of the rotary drive device. On the other hand, if the holding member 12 is configured as a so-called cup type, a hole for inserting a shank is formed in the center of the cylindrical portion 14, and the shank of the rotary drive device is detachably connected through this hole.

[0027] The brush bristles 20 are made of basalt fiber and resin. For example, the brush bristles 20 are made by impregnating a basalt fiber aggregate with resin and then hardening it. Basalt fiber is made by fiberizing basalt, which has a porphyritic structure. Specifically, basalt fiber is made from basalt, which is melted in a melting furnace and extruded and spun. Basalt fiber does not have cleavage properties. Furthermore, basalt fiber generally has the property of breaking upon impact, and also has high heat resistance, cold resistance, and weather resistance.

[0028] A thermosetting resin is preferably used as the resin. This allows the basalt fibers to be impregnated with the resin and easily hardened, making it easy to obtain FRP with a high specific strength as the brush bristle material 20. The thermosetting resin is not particularly limited as long as it is one that is used in abrasive brushes. Examples of such thermosetting resins include epoxy resin, phenolic resin, synthetic rubber, melamine resin, urethane resin, and polyester resin. These thermosetting resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. An epoxy resin is preferably used as the thermosetting resin. This allows for the production of brush bristle materials and abrasive brushes that are superior in abrasion resistance and durability and less prone to cleavage. Furthermore, scattering of resin components from the brush bristle material or abrasive brush can be effectively suppressed, thereby further reducing contamination of the abrasive surface due to resin adhesion. The epoxy resin preferably has at least two epoxy groups per molecule and is solid or liquid at room temperature. Examples of such epoxy resins include bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, phenol novolac, cresol novolac, biphenyl, naphthalene, and aromatic amine types. These epoxy resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The epoxy resin may also be moisture-curing. Moisture-curing epoxy resins do not require external water for curing, allowing for efficient production of the brush bristle material 20.

[0029] As for the resin, a thermoplastic resin can be used together with the thermosetting resin, if necessary.

[0030] The ratio of epoxy resin to basalt fiber in the brush bristles 20 is preferably in the range of 10:90 to 30:70. By using 10% or more of epoxy resin, the properties (shape and hardness) of the brush bristles 20 required for polishing can be realized. On the other hand, by using 70% or more of basalt fiber, the required polishing power can be exerted.

[0031] In use, the abrasive brush 10 is attached to a rotary drive device, and the tip of each bristle bundle 30, which is the tip of the abrasive brush 10, is brought into contact with the object to be polished. When the rotary drive device is driven, the abrasive brush 10 rotates around its axis, and the tips of the brush bristles 20 abrade the object to be polished.

[0032] As described above, the abrasive brush 10 of this embodiment uses brush bristles 20 made of basalt fiber and resin, and is particularly suitable for polishing glass, among other objects to be polished. As will be described in detail in the test results below, when used on glass, the abrasive brush 10 can polish the glass surface without leaving any polishing marks or scratches on the glass surface. This is because the basalt fiber does not cleave during polishing.

[0033] Over time, after use on glass, the resin (e.g., the epoxy resin) at the tips of the brush bristles 20 of the abrasive brush 10 may decrease. As a result, when viewed as a unit of bristle bundle 30, variations in the resin at the tips of the multiple brush bristles 20 constituting the bristle bundle 30 may occur. However, basalt fibers themselves do not cleave. Therefore, the abrasive brush 10 does not undergo deformation such as swelling of the brush bundle 40 over time after use. Rather, the bristles at the tips of the brush bundle 40 simply become uneven. While the rotary drive device is operating (i.e., while the abrasive brush 10 is rotating), centrifugal force causes the brush bundle 40 to swell. However, when the rotary drive device is stopped, the centrifugal force disappears and the brush bundle 40 returns to its original (unswelled) state. This differs from conventional nylon abrasive brushes, which tend to swell over time after use. When the unevenness of the bristle tips of the abrasive brush 10 reaches a certain level, the bristle tips can be adjusted (dressed) to restore the abrasive brush 10 to its original performance.

[0034] In another aspect, the brush bristle material 20 suitable for polishing glass can be non-cleavable fibers made of one or more minerals other than basalt fibers. Such fibers can include fibers made of minerals with a mottled structure, such as rock wool. Rock wool is made from rocks such as andesite and basalt, and slag, which are melted in an electric furnace and then extruded and spun. Rock wool generally has excellent heat resistance, non-flammability, thermal insulation, heat retention, and sound absorption properties. Glass fiber can also be used as a mineral fiber that does not cleave. Glass fiber is produced by melting glass at high temperatures and is classified as short-fiber glass wool or long-fiber glass fiber. Glass wool is made by rotating molten glass at high speed to form thin, cotton-like fibers, while glass fiber is made by stretching molten glass into thin threads using a platinum nozzle. The method of manufacturing brush bristles using rock wool or glass fiber and the configuration of the abrasive brush 10 can be the same as those using basalt fiber. For example, brush bristles can be manufactured by impregnating rock wool fibers with resin and then curing the resin. The thermosetting resins mentioned above can be used as the resin.

[0035] Next, a polishing test performed on the polishing brush 10 according to the present embodiment and a polishing brush according to a comparative example will be described.

[0036] [Example 1] Wires made by impregnating basalt fibers with a fiber diameter of 18 microns with epoxy resin, a thermosetting resin, in a ratio of 20:80 were assembled and then cured to form a wire bundle for brush bristles. This wire bundle was cut to a length of 75 mm, which is suitable for polishing, and then bundled together to form a bristle bundle for the brush. The number of wires bundled was 205. Five bristle bundles were prepared.

[0037] Comparative Example 1 The difference from Example 1 is that alumina long fibers were used as the brush bristles instead of basalt fibers.

[0038] Evaluation of the Polishing Test The polishing brushes according to Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were each attached to a polishing device, and a polishing test was carried out on a glass surface under the following conditions: (Polishing conditions) Polishing device: Machining center (MTV-T360 (product name) manufactured by Mektron Co., Ltd.) Rotation speed: 1000 rpm Feed rate: 1000 mm / min Cutting depth: 0.1 mm

[0039] Evaluation method After the polishing test, the presence or absence of noticeable scratches on the glass surface was confirmed visually. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0040]

[0041] Furthermore, a digital microscope (VHX-2000 (trade name), manufactured by Keyence Corporation, magnification: 100x) was used to observe the glass surface before the polishing test, the glass surface after the polishing test in Example 1, and the glass surface after the polishing test in Comparative Example 1. The micrographs are shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0042] 2 and 3, it was found that the abrasive brush of Example 1 left no scratches on the glass surface and cleanly removed any deposits. On the other hand, as shown in a comparison between Figures 2 and 4, the abrasive brush of Comparative Example 1 left some deposits and also left multiple scratches from the abrasive brush.

[0043] From the above test results, it was confirmed that the abrasive brush according to Example 1 can remove deposits without scratching the glass surface. Furthermore, although test results are not shown in the examples, no cleavage was observed throughout the entire abrasive brush according to Example 1.

[0044] As described above, the abrasive brush 10 according to this embodiment can polish glass surfaces without scratching them. This can contribute to automating processes that have previously been performed manually using buffs or other methods. For example, by attaching the abrasive brush 10 to a program-controlled automatic machine in the final stage of the manufacturing process for automobile mirrors, the manual buffing process can be eliminated. In other words, the abrasive brush 10 can also be used as an automation tool.

[0045] The above-described embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the present embodiment, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other.

[0046] 10...Abrasive brush, 11...Brush body, 12...Holding member, 14...Cylindrical portion, 20...Brush bristle material, 30...Hair bundle, 40...Brush bundle

Claims

1. A polishing brush comprising a brush hair material made of basalt fiber and resin.

2. The polishing brush according to claim 1, wherein the resin includes a thermosetting resin.

3. The polishing brush according to claim 2, wherein the thermosetting resin includes an epoxy resin.

4. The polishing brush according to claim 3, wherein the ratio of the epoxy resin to the basalt fiber in the brush hair material ranges from 10:90 to 30:

70.

5. A polishing brush comprising a brush hair material made of fibers composed of one or more minerals and resin, wherein the fibers do not have splitability.

6. The polishing brush according to claim 5, wherein the fibers include glass fibers.

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