Do users really care what went into creating the new MIRKA Iridium range? Probably not but they certainly seem to appreciate the end result, according to Peter Sadler, MIRKA Business Development Manager Australia and New Zealand. Peter was on hand at the MIRKA stand at the recent Collision Repair Expo where he was kept busy conducting demonstrations and giving visitors the lowdown on Iridium.
“The launch of Iridium adds a premium paper-backed abrasive offer to the MIRKA range but it’s also important to understand that it’s unique because it introduces a totally new technology to this category. The key difference actually stems from the new manufacturing process. Traditionally, an electrostatic process is used to apply the abrasive materials to either the paper-backing or a NetSanding structure. The logic behind this is that the abrasive particles are shaped like tiny prisms which need to land flat side down, pointy side up and that can be done using an electrostatic charge. However, what is more difficult to control is their distribution across the surface – the particles tend to land more randomly.”
“MIRKA’s R&D team has a habit of thinking outside the square to come up with solutions and that is what they have done to create Iridium. According to the boffins at MIRKA, the best way to describe the new manufacturing process is that it’s like an inkjet printer. This means the blend of ceramic and aluminium oxide abrasive grains is very precisely applied to the backing material. Not only do the grains go exactly where they are needed, there is a lot more grains per disc. To take advantage of this technological shift, MIRKA actually in-house designed an entirely new manufacturing machine for its production facility in Finland. On top of this, it developed a new resin to lock the grains down onto the paper. After being UV cured, it essentially leaves a non-stick characteristic on the abrasive surface. The result is that Iridium abrasives repel dust.”
“Combining the non-stick surface with the computer designed, laser-cut multi-hole pattern, gives Iridium dust extraction performance which is the closest I have seen to MIRKA’s NetSanding technology. It’s super-efficient dust extraction with no clogging and, because of this, we are seeing exceptional lifespan out of Iridium discs. And, it’s not just me who sees the results – feedback has been phenomenal! That includes from our demos at the Collision Repair Expo stand where people could actually have a go with Iridium themselves. The overwhelming response was – ‘wow, where can I get it?’ That is the easy bit – Iridium is available now from your MIRKA distributor. If you want to see and feel the advantages of Iridium, simply contact your PPG representative or Protec representative to arrange a demonstration.”