The lifespan of a grinding wheel is a core factor affecting grinding efficiency and cost. A grinding wheel's lifespan depends not only on its own quality and specifications but also on the entire process from selection to use and maintenance. A comprehensive understanding of the various factors influencing wheel life can help users significantly enhance processing economic benefits.

Abrasive grains are the "teeth" of the grinding wheel, and their compatibility with the workpiece material directly affects the wheel's lifespan. If the abrasive hardness is too low, the wheel will wear out too quickly; if the hardness is too high, although the wheel wears more slowly, it may lead to micro-crushing or premature detachment from the bonding agent. For example, when grinding ordinary steel, brown fused alumina with better toughness generally has a longer lifespan than white fused alumina; for cast iron, silicon carbide abrasives with appropriate hardness should be selected.

If the grain size is too coarse, individual abrasive grains experience high stress and may detach entirely from the binder. Conversely, a finer grain size reduces chip clearance space, leading to frequent clogging and dulling, which shortens the effective lifespan. Under the premise of meeting surface quality requirements, opting for a coarser grain size is generally an effective method to extend service life

The hardness determines whether the abrasive grains "fall off at the right time" or "fall off prematurely or remain stubbornly attached." A wheel that is too soft causes the grains to fall off before they can function effectively, resulting in a short lifespan; conversely, a wheel that is too hard keeps the grains attached even after they become fully dulled, rendering them practically ineffective. The ideal scenario is for the grains to naturally fall off after moderate wear, exposing fresh, sharp abrasive grains.

The structure directly affects the "self-cleaning ability" of the grinding wheel. A loose structure provides ample chip clearance and strong anti-clogging performance, resulting in longer service life when grinding sticky materials; conversely, a dense structure offers high wear resistance but risks premature failure once clogged. For most materials, a medium structure achieves a better balance between lifespan and performance.