DE60005216T2 - ABRASIVE MATERIAL WITH A THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURAL LAYER - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an abrasive material which is excellent in loading resistance and durability, allows no attachments to attach to an abraded surface even when the end surface of the optical fiber is abraded, and is particularly suited for use in abrading a hard material such as an end surface of an optical fiber connector effectively and smoothly into a predetermined shape. The present invention provides an abrasive material for abrading an end surface of an optical fiber connector into a predetermined shape, the abrasive material having a base material (101) and an abrasive layer (102) disposed on the base material, the abrasive layer having a top layer (105) comprising an abrasive composite containing abrasive grains and a binder and a foot portion (106) comprising a binder in the absence of abrasive particles, the abrasive layer having a three-dimensional structure constructed with a plurality of regularly arranged three-dimensional elements (104) having a predetermined shape. Further, the present invention provides a method for producing an abrasive material having an abrasive layer of a three-dimensional structure, the method comprising the steps of: (1) filling a mold sheet having a plurality of regularly arranged recesses, with an abrasive material coating solution containing abrasive grains, a binder, a solvent, to a predetermined depth; (2) removing the solvent from the abrasive material coating solution in the recesses by evaporation; (3) filling the recesses further with a binder; (4) laminating a base material on the mold sheet to bond the binder to the base material; and (5) hardening the binder.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for producing an abrasive material with a three-dimensional Structure with abrasive layer and an abrasive material with an abrasive layer with a three-dimensional structure, with one end surface an optical fiber on which a sleeve is attached, i.e. a end surface an optical fiber connector into a specified shape can be ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, one becomes easy Removable optical fiber connector for connecting optical fibers widely used in an optical fiber communication network. When connecting to the optical fiber connector, the end surfaces the optical fiber sleeves of an optical fiber and a cover section (sleeve) for Cover the optical fiber directly against each other. Therefore hang the optical properties during the connection, in particular the loss of connection, on the processing properties and accuracy of the end surfaces of the optical fibers.

The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve is processed through a number of grinding steps. The quality of the final surface will due to the processing properties and accuracy in the final finishing step affected. In other words, the main factors in connection loss the degree of manufacturing roughness of the end surface and their skew.

In terms of manufacturing roughness an end surface an optical fiber sleeve, the relationship with the particle size is used for grinding Abrasive material described. In the case of step index type fiber the connection loss is, for example, about 0.5 dB if the particle size of the abrasive grains is about Is 1 µm, whereas the connection loss is greater than is about 1.0 dB when the abrasive grain particle size is about Is 15 μm.

When observing this connection it is understood that abrasive grains with a particle size of 10 up to 15 μm must be used to meet a standard the connection loss of the optical fiber becomes smaller than 1 dB and it has to be Fine grade abrasive grains with a particle size of less than 1 μm be used to meet a standard, hence the loss of connection the optical fiber must be less than 0.5 dB.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication No. 09-248771 / 1997 discloses an abrasive belt for an end surface of a Optical fiber connector, where the sanding belt has a base material and one on the base material has abrasive layer, the abrasive layer made of Silica particles with an average particle size of 5 up to 30 μm exists, as well as a binder for connecting these abrasive material particles and the average roughness Ra at the center line of the Abrasive layer surface is 0.005 to 0.2 μm.

Fine grinding materials, such as a sanding belt for an end surface an optical fiber connector have a loading problem. The term "loading" means that the Space between the abrasive grains with grinding dust filled that stick out and inhibit the loop property. For example, an end surface of an optical fiber connector, the particles of the grinding dust remain in the space between the Abrasive grains, making the cutting ability the abrasive grains sinks. The as a coolant liquid used and a lubricant do not work sufficiently between the abrasive material and the end surface the optical fiber connector, whereby part of the abrasive layer on the surface of the Optical fiber connector sticks after grinding and is difficult to remove.

Are also fine particles as abrasive grains used, the time required for grinding is long. Will be against the size of the abrasive grains is increased the finished end surface the optical fiber connector rough, making the standard for the loss of connection of the optical fiber cannot be met. If both methods are used in combination, the number increases the grinding steps.

WO 92/13680 and WO 96/27189 disclose an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure Abrasive layer. This grinding material has a base material and an abrasive layer on the base material. The grinding layer consists of an abrasive composite, the abrasive particles and a Contains binder, and the abrasive layer has a three-dimensional structure that consists of a variety of regularly arranged three-dimensional elements with a predetermined shape is. As a form for the three-dimensional elements are tetrahedral, pyramid-shaped and others revealed.

This abrasive material is resistant to loading and has excellent durability. However, since the abrasive grains are uniformly distributed throughout the abrasive layer and the abrasive grains on the lower part of the abrasive layer do not work efficiently, the production cost is high. On Abrasive material according to the preamble of claim 5 is from EP 0 664 187 A1 known.

There is also a manufacturing process of an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure comprising abrasive layer comprising steps (1), (4) and (5) of claim 1, known from WO 92/13680. The abrasive material is made by filling of an abrasive slurry containing abrasive particles and a binder into one Form plate with a structure, stacking of a base material on the mold plate so that the binder is on the base material is bound, hardening of the binder by UV radiation and removal of the mold plate. In this case, the grinding slurry must have sufficient fluidity that it is introduced into the structure within the mold plate. There also the ultraviolet radiation after covering the grinding sludge with the base material, the grinding sludge must not contain any volatile components exhibit.

Therefore the content of the abrasive grain in the grinding sludge does not exceed the critical pigment volume concentration. Hence the conventional one Abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure Abrasive layer the problem that the content of abrasive grains in the grinding layer cannot be increased sufficiently.

By comparison under grinding conditions, where the particle size of the abrasive grains, the Grinding device and others are the same, the grinding performance decreases of the abrasive material with a decreasing content of abrasive grains. Especially with fine-grade grinding materials, the grinding efficiency increases the necessary for grinding Bad time if the abrasive grain content is insufficient.

Because the abrasive grain content is not the conventional one is sufficient Abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure Grinding layer poor grinding performance and is therefore efficient and smooth grinding of a hard material, such as an end surface of a Optical fiber connector, in a predetermined form is not suitable.

The present invention has been made to address the above problems in the prior art to solve, and an object thereof is to provide an abrasive material with excellent load resistance and durability which it attaches to not allowed to bind to a polished surface like this, even if the end surface the optical fiber is ground and it is especially for use in the efficient and smooth grinding of a hard material, such as an end surface an optical fiber connector, in a predetermined shape is suitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention provides an abrasive material for abrading an end surface of an optical fiber connector into a predetermined shape, the abrasive material comprising a base material and an abrasive layer located on the base material, the abrasive layer having a three-dimensional structure composed of a plurality of regularly arranged three-dimensional elements with a predetermined structure, the three-dimensional elements ( 1 ) a top layer comprising an abrasive composite comprising abrasive grains dispersed in a binder, and ( 2 ) have a bottom portion that includes a binder in the absence of abrasive particles, thereby accomplishing the above object of the present invention.

• (1) Füllen einer Formplatte mit einer Mehrzahl regelmäßig angeordneter Vertiefungen mit einer Schleifmaterial-Beschichtungslösung, die Schleifkörner, ein Bindemittel und ein Lösungsmittel enthält, bis zu einer vorher festgelegten Tiefe;
• (2) Entfernen des Lösungsmittels aus der Schleifmaterial-Beschichtungslösung in den Vertiefungen durch Abdampfen;
• (3) weiteres Füllen der Vertiefungen mit einem Bindemittel in Abwesenheit von Schleifmittelteilchen;
• (4) Laminieren eines Grundmaterials auf die Formplatte, um das Bindemittel an das Grundmaterial zu binden; und
• (5) Härten des Bindemittels.

The present invention also provides a method for producing an abrasive material having an abrasive layer having a three-dimensional structure, the method comprising the following steps:

• (1) filling a mold plate having a plurality of regularly arranged recesses with an abrasive material coating solution containing abrasive grains, a binder and a solvent to a predetermined depth;
• (2) removing the solvent from the abrasive coating solution in the wells by evaporation;
• (3) further filling the wells with a binder in the absence of abrasive particles;
• (4) laminating a base material to the mold plate to bind the binder to the base material; and
• (5) Hardening the binder.

The abrasive material with a one three-dimensional structure abrasive layer is preferred manufactured by the above-mentioned production method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other items and Features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed Description and the attached Drawings can be seen. It shows:

1 5 is a sectional view illustrating an abrasive material having an abrasive layer having a three-dimensional structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 a plan view illustrating an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure abrasive layer according to an embodiment of the invention;

3 a plan view illustrating an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure abrasive layer according to an embodiment of the invention;

4 a sectional perspective view illustrating an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure abrasive layer according to an embodiment of the invention;

5 a plan view illustrating an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure abrasive layer according to an embodiment of the invention;

6 (a) to 6 (e) Model views illustrating the steps for making an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure abrasive layer;

7 a graph showing the change over time of an abraded amount when an end surface of an optical fiber connector is ground with different abrasive materials;

8th a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

9 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

10 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material of the prior art;

11 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material of the prior art;

12 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material of the prior art;

13 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

14 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

15 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material of the prior art;

16 a graph showing the change over time of an abraded amount when a round zirconia rod is ground with different abrasive materials;

17 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

18 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

19 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

20 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

21 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material of the prior art;

22 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material of the prior art;

23 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention;

24 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention; and

25 a micrograph of an end surface of an optical fiber connector after grinding with the abrasive material according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1 12 is a sectional view illustrating an abrasive material having a three-dimensional structure abrasive layer as an embodiment of the present invention. With an abrasive material 100 there is a basic material 101 and an abrasive layer 102 on a surface of the base material 101 ,

Preferred examples of the base material according to the invention include polymer film, paper, cloth, metal foil, vulcanized Fiber, nonwoven base material, a combination thereof, and a processed one Product of it. In the case of ball loops, the end surface of the optical fiber connector is the material preferably flexible, thereby forming a spherical shape is simplified. The base material is preferably for ultraviolet radiation permeable, since this is useful in the manufacturing process.

The base material can be, for example, a polymer film, such as a polyester film. The polymer film can be undercoated with a material such as polyethylene acrylic acid so that bonding to the base material of the abrasive composite is promoted.

The grinding layer 102 has an abrasive composite that contains a matrix of a binder and abrasive grains dispersed therein as structural components.

The abrasive composite will formed from a sludge containing a variety of abrasive grains that in the in an uncured or ungelled state of the binder present. At the hardening or gelling, the abrasive composite is solidified, i.e. it is fixed so that it has a predetermined shape and a has a predetermined structure.

The dimensions of the abrasive grain can depending on the type of abrasive grain or the intended use of the abrasive material. The Dimension is e.g. 0.01 to 1 μm, preferably 0.01 to 0.5 µm, more preferably 0.01 to 0.1 μm for the final Finish grinding and 0.5 to 20 μm, stronger preferably 0.5 to 10 μm for the Coarse grinding when forming a curved surface. preferred examples for the abrasive grains for the present invention include diamond, cubic boron nitride, ceria, molten alumina, heat treated Aluminum oxide, sol-gel aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, chromium oxide, Silicon dioxide, zirconium dioxide, aluminum oxide-zirconium dioxide, Iron oxide, garnet, and a mixture thereof. Are particularly preferred Diamond, cubic boron nitride, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide for rough grinding and silica and alumina for finish grinding.

The binder is hardened or gelled so that an abrasive layer is obtained. Preferred examples for the Binders include phenolic resin, resol phenolic resin, aminoplast resin, Urethane resin, epoxy resin, acrylate resin, polyester resin, vinyl resin, melamine resin, acrylated isocyanurate resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, isocyanurate resin, acrylated urethane resin, acrylated epoxy resin and a mixture thereof. The binder can be a thermoplastic resin. Particularly preferred examples for the binder includes phenolic resin, resol phenolic resin, epoxy resin and urethane resin.

The binder can be radiation curing. The radiation curing Binder is a binder that by radiation energy at least partially hardened or is at least partially polymerizable. Depending on the one to be used Binding agent becomes an energy source such as heat, infrared radiation, Electron radiation, ultraviolet radiation or radiation from the visible Light used.

These binders are usually made by polymerizes a radical mechanism. These are preferably Binder selected from the group consisting of acrylated urethane, acrylated epoxy, an aminoplast derivative with an α, β-unsaturated carbonyl group, one ethylenically unsaturated Compound, an isocyanurate derivative with at least one acrylate group, Isocyanate with at least one acrylate group and a mixture thereof.

The binder is exposed to ultraviolet radiation hardened, is a photoinitiator to start radical polymerization required. Preferred examples of that to be used for this purpose Photoinitiators include organic peroxides, azo compounds, quinones, Benzophenones, nitroso compounds, acrylic halides, hydrazones, mercapto compounds, Pyrylium compounds, triacrylimidazole, bisimidazole, chloroalkyltriazine, Benzoin ether, benzyl ketal, thioxanthone, and acetophenone derivatives. A preferred photoinitiator is 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenyl-1-ethanone.

The binder is exposed to radiation visible light hardened, it is necessary for a photoinitiator to undergo radical polymerization starts. Preferred examples of the photoinitiator for this purpose is in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,632, column 3, line 25 to column 4, line 10, column 5, lines 1 to 7 and column 6, lines 1 to 35.

The weight fraction of the abrasive grains at Binder usually lies in the range of about 1.5 to 10 parts of abrasive grain, based on one part Binder, preferably about 2 to 7 parts by weight of abrasive grains on a part of binder. This proportion can vary depending on the size of the abrasive grain Type of binder to be used and intended purpose of the abrasive material vary.

For smooth and fine grinding a hard material, such as an end surface of an optical fiber connector the concentration of the abrasive grains contained in the abrasive composite is preferred in the range of 43 to 90% by weight when the abrasive grains are made Silicon carbide exist; 70 to 90 wt .-% when the abrasive grains out spherical Abrasive particles made of alumina, silica or the like consist; 37 to 90% by weight if the abrasive grains consist of aluminum oxide and 39 to 90% by weight when the abrasive grains are made of diamond.

The abrasive composite can be a contain different material than the abrasive grains and the binder. For example, can abrasive material ordinary Contain additives, such as a coupling agent, a lubricant, a dye, a pigment, a plasticizer, a filler, a stripping agent, a grinding aid, and a mixture thereof.

The abrasive composite can contain a coupling agent. The addition of the coupling agent can significantly reduce the opacity of a slurry used to form the abrasive composite. Preferred examples of the coupling agent according to the invention include organic silane, zircoaluminate and titanate. The amount of the coupling agent is usually less than 5% by weight, preferably less than 1 % By weight of the binder.

The grinding layer 102 has a three-dimensional structure, made up of a large number of regularly arranged three-dimensional elements 104 with a predetermined form. The three-dimensional elements 104 each have a tetrahedral shape with edges connected at a point on the top. In this case, the angle α formed between edges is usually 30 to 150 °, preferably 45 to 140 °. The three-dimensional elements 104 can have a pyramid shape. In this case, the angle α formed between two edges is usually 30 to 150 °, preferably 45 to 140 °.

The dots on the top of the three-dimensional elements 104 are located on a plane parallel to the surface of the base material, essentially over the entire area of the abrasive material. In 1 the symbol h stands for the height of the three-dimensional elements 104 from the surface of the base material. The height h is usually 2 to 300 μm, preferably 5 to 150 μm. The deviation of the height of the points on the top is preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10% of the height of the three-dimensional elements.

The three-dimensional elements 104 are arranged in a predetermined configuration. In 1 the three-dimensional elements 104 are most densely packed. The three-dimensional elements are usually repeated with a fixed period. This repetitive form is one-way and preferably two-way.

The abrasive grains do not protrude beyond the surface of the shape of the three-dimensional elements. In other words, the three-dimensional elements 104 built from flat levels. The surfaces that the three-dimensional elements 104 account, for example, have a surface roughness Ra of less than 2 μm, preferably less than 1 μm.

With the three-dimensional element 104 has the top section 105 a grinding effect. When sanding with the abrasive material, the three-dimensional elements crumble starting from the upper section, which means that unused abrasive grains can appear. To increase the grinding performance of the abrasive material, the concentration of abrasive grains in the abrasive composite located in the upper portion of the three-dimensional element is preferably increased to be as high as possible; this means that the grinding material has a higher grinding capacity, making it suitable for grinding a hard material. The concentration of the abrasive grain in the abrasive composite in the upper portion of the three-dimensional element is more preferably greater than the critical pigment volume concentration.

The decisive pigment volume concentration is the pigment volume concentration where it is just sufficient Binder gives that the pigment surfaces are coated and a continuous phase over the entire movie is provided. The critical pigment volume concentration, as used here stands for a volume concentration of abrasive grains, if the gaps between the grains just filled with a binder are. If the binder is a liquid, the mixture has fluidity if the concentration is less than the critical pigment volume concentration is, whereas the mixture loses its fluidity when the concentration exceeds the critical pigment volume concentration. Is the concentration the abrasive grains in the abrasive composite located in the upper portion of the three-dimensional element less than the critical pigment volume concentration or the same large, the grinding performance of the grinding material becomes insufficient, so that the abrasive material does not become a hard material, like an end surface an optical fiber connector.

The floor area 106 of the three-dimensional element, namely the lower portion of the abrasive layer adhering to the base material, usually has no abrasive effect. The reason for this is that when the abrasive layer is worn down to the lower section, the abrasive material is usually discarded. The floor area 106 of the three-dimensional element, which has no abrasive effect, contains no abrasive grains, so the bottom section 106 consists only of the binder.

Allowing the three-dimensional element 104 having such a two-layer structure, the amount of the comparatively expensive abrasive grains can be saved, whereby the abrasive material can be provided at a lower cost. Because the binder in the floor area 106 can be constructed in such a way that only the adhesive performance of the binder on the base material is taken into account, there is hardly any poor adhesion to the base material.

In 1 the symbol s stands for the height of the upper area 105 of the three-dimensional element. The height s is, for example, 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 90% of the height h of the three-dimensional element.

2 is a top view of this abrasive material. In 2 the symbol o stands for the lower side length of the three-dimensional element. The symbol p stands for the distance between the tips of the neighboring three-dimensional elements. The length o is, for example, 5 to 1000 μm, preferably 10 to 500 μm. The length p is, for example, 5 to 1000 μm, preferably 10 to 500 μm.

In another embodiment, the three-dimensional element can have a tetrahedron or pyramid structure, the tip of which is removed up to a certain height. In this case, the top of the three-dimensional element is preferably shaped as a triangular or square parallel plane to the surface of the base material, and essentially all of these planes are on one parallel plane to the surface of the base material. The height of the three-dimensional element is 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 90% of the height h of the three-dimensional element before the tips are removed. 3 is a top view of the grinding member according to this embodiment.

In 3 the symbol o stands for the lower side length of the three-dimensional element. The symbol u stands for the distance between the lower sides of adjacent three-dimensional elements. The symbol y represents the length of one side of the upper level. The length o is, for example, 5 to 2000 μm, preferably 10 to 1000 μm. The distance u is, for example, 0 to 1000 μm, preferably 2 to 500 μm. The length y is, for example, 0.5 to 1800 μm, preferably 1 to 900 μm.

4 10 is a perspective sectional view of an abrasive material having an abrasive layer of a three-dimensional structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. An abrasive material 400 is an abrasive material with a base material 401 and an abrasive layer 402 located on the surface of the base material.

The grinding layer 402 has an abrasive composite that is a matrix of a binder and abrasive grains 403 which are dispersed therein as construction components.

The grinding layer 402 has a three-dimensional structure that is made up of a large number of regularly arranged three-dimensional elements with a predetermined shape. The three-dimensional elements 404 have a prism shape, which is formed from a laterally arranged triangular prism. The angle β of the three-dimensional element 404 is usually 30 to 150 ° C, preferably 45 to 140 °.

The edges on top of the three-dimensional elements 404 are in a plane parallel to the surface of the base material, essentially over the entire area of the abrasive material. In 4 the symbol h stands for the height of the three-dimensional element from the surface of the base material. The height h is usually 2 to 600 μm, preferably 4 to 300 μm. The deviation of the height of the upper lines is preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10% of the height of the three-dimensional element 404 ,

Like the three-dimensional element 104 has the three-dimensional element 404 preferably a two-layer structure including an upper region 405 from an abrasive composite and a floor area 406 from a binder. In 4 the symbol s stands for the height of the upper section of the three-dimensional structural element. The height s is, for example, 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 90% of the height of the three-dimensional structural element.

The three-dimensional elements 404 are usually arranged in a stripe pattern. In 4 the symbol w stands for the length of the short underside of the three-dimensional element (width of the three-dimensional element). The symbol p stands for the distance between the tips of the neighboring three-dimensional elements. The symbol u stands for the distance between the long undersides of the neighboring three-dimensional elements. The length w is, for example, 2 to 2000 μm, preferably 4 to 1000 μm. The distance p is, for example, 2 to 4000 μm, preferably 4 to 2000 μm. The distance u is, for example, 0 to 2000 μm, preferably 0 to 1000 μm.

The length of the three-dimensional element can essentially extend over an entire area of the abrasive material. Alternatively, the length of the three-dimensional element can be cut to a suitable length. The ends of the three-dimensional elements can either be aligned or not aligned. The ends of the prismatic three-dimensional elements can be cut at an acute angle from their underside, so that a house shape is obtained which has four inclined surfaces. 5 10 is a top view of the abrasive material according to this embodiment.

In 5 the symbol 1 stands for the length of a long underside of the three-dimensional element. The symbol v stands for the distance of a section of the three-dimensional element cut at an acute angle. The symbol x stands for the distance between the short undersides of neighboring three-dimensional elements. The symbols w, p, and u have the same meaning as in 4 , The length 1 is, for example, 5 to 10000 μm, preferably 10 to 5000 μm. The distance v is, for example, 0 to 2000 μm, preferably 1 to 1000 μm. The distance x is, for example, 0 to 2000 μm, preferably 0 to 1000 μm. The length w is, for example, 2 to 2000 μm, preferably 4 to 1000 μm. The distance p is, for example, 2 to 4000 μm, preferably 4 to 2000 μm. The distance u is, for example, 0 to 2000 μm, preferably 0 to 1000 μm.

The abrasive material with an abrasive layer having a three-dimensional structure is exemplified in FIGS 1 to 5 explains and is particularly suitable for use in grinding an end surface of an optical fiber connector and can provide an end surface of an optical fiber connector with extremely low connection loss. The abrasive material having an abrasive layer of the present invention having a three-dimensional structure creates, for example, an end surface of an optical fiber connector with a connection loss of less than 1.0 dB or less than 0.5 dB.

The abrasive material of the invention is preferred made by the method described below.

First, an abrasive slurry is made that contains abrasive grains, a binder, and a solvent. The grinding sludge to be used here is a composition that contains the binding agent, the grinding grains, and optional additives such as a photoinitiator in sufficient amounts to provide an abrasive composite and also containing a volatile solvent in an amount sufficient to impart fluidity to the mixture. Even if the abrasive grain content in the abrasive composite is greater than the critical pigment volume concentration, fluidity can be maintained by the abrasive slurry containing a volatile solvent.

A preferred volatile solvent is an organic solvent, that dissolves the binder and at room temperature up to 170 ° C volatile is. Specific examples of the organic solvent include methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, ethanol, Isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate. Another preferred solvent is water.

A molded plate is then produced which has a plurality of regularly arranged depressions which taper downwards. The shape of the depressions can be a negative shape of the three-dimensional elements to be formed. The mold plate can consist of a metal, such as nickel or plastics, such as polypropylene. A thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene is preferred because it can be embossed at its melting point on a metal tool so that depressions with a predetermined shape are obtained. If the binder is also a radiation-curing resin, a material that transmits ultraviolet rays and visible light is preferably used. The 6 (a) to 6 (e) are model views illustrating the steps for producing an abrasive material with a three-dimensional structure abrasive layer.

In 6 (a) the molding plate obtained 601 with an abrasive slurry 602 filled. The amount of the abrasive slurry to be used in filling the mold plate is such that after the solvent evaporates and the binder hardens, it becomes an upper range 105 . 405 can form. Usually the amount of abrasive sludge is such that its depth from the bottom is one in after the solvent has evaporated 1 and 4 dimension s shown.

The mold plate can be made with the grinding slurry filled the grinding sludge with a coating device, like a roll coater, is applied to the mold plate. The viscosity of the grinding sludge to be applied is preferably reduced to 10 to 106 cps, especially 100 to 105 cps.

In 6 (b) the solvent is evaporated and removed from the grinding sludge. This procedure heats the mold plate filled with the grinding slurry to 50 to 150 ° C for 0.2 to 10 minutes. If the binder is a thermoplastic resin, the mold plate can be heated at its curing temperature to perform a curing step at the same time. If the volatility of the solvent is high, the mold plate can be left to stand for several minutes to several hours at room temperature.

In 6 (c) the mold plate is filled with a lamination binder 603 to fill the wells with the binder. The lamination binder can be the same as or used differently in the manufacture of the abrasive slurry. A binder with good adhesion to the base material is preferred as the lamination binder.

Preferred examples of the lamination binder are acrylic resin, epoxy resin, and urethane resin. The mold plate can with the lamination binder in the same way as the abrasive slurry be filled.

In the 6 (d) becomes a basic material 604 on a mold plate 601 layered so that the binder can adhere to the base material. Adhesion takes place by pressing with a roller for lamination.

The binder is hardened. The Term "hardening" as used here means that the binder polymerizes to a solid state becomes. After hardening changes the specific shape of the abrasive layer is not. The hardening of the Binder in the grinding sludge and hardening of the lamination binder, that is introduced in the latter step alone, can either be carried out separately or simultaneously.

The binder is removed by heat, Infrared radiation, or by electron radiation, ultraviolet radiation, or by another radiation energy, such as radiation visible Light hardened. The amount of radiant energy applied can vary depending on the type of the binder and the radiation energy source vary. The Professional can usually determine the amount of the radiant energy acting appropriately. The one to harden required time can vary depending on the thickness, density, temperature of the Binder, the properties of the composition and others Factors vary.

The binder can, for example, by Irradiation of the transparent base material from above with ultraviolet rays (UV).

In 6 (e) the mold plate is removed so that an abrasive material 606 from the basic material 604 and the grinding layer 605 is obtained with a three-dimensional structure. The binder can be hardened after the mold plate has been removed.

Examples

The present invention is as follows described in more detail using the following examples. The invention however, is not limited to these examples.

example 1

An abrasive coating solution was made prepared by mixing the ingredients shown in Table 1.

Table 1

• Abrasive grains / binder ratio 2.91
• Abrasive grains / (binder + Additive) ratio = 2.86

A lamination binder was used by mixing the ingredients shown in Table 2.

Table 2

A molded plate made of polypropylene with depressions with an in 4 reverse three-dimensional elements shown form was produced. An abrasive slurry was applied to the mold plate using a roller coater and dried at 50 ° C. for 5 minutes. A lamination binder was applied thereon and further a transparent polyester film with a thickness of 75 μm was overlaid and pressed on by a roller for lamination. Ultraviolet rays were irradiated from the polyester film side to harden the lamination binder. The binding agent of the grinding slurry was then hardened by hardening at 70 ° C. for 24 hours.

The mold plate was removed and the result was cooled to room temperature to produce an abrasive material. In the case of the abrasive material, the abrasive layer has a three-dimensional structure with a prism shape, which in the 4 Stripe pattern shown is arranged. Their dimensions are shown in Table 3.

Table 3

This grinding material became one circular Form punched with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was produced. An end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground using the grinding wheel obtained. The Grinding conditions are shown in Table 4.

Table 4

The temporal change in the amount sanded is in 7 shown. After grinding, the End surface of the optical fiber sleeve examined with an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. The micrograph obtained is in 8th shown.

Example 2

An abrasive slurry was made by mixing of the ingredients shown in Table 5.

Table 5

• Abrasive grains / binder ratio 2.86
• Abrasive grains / (binder + Additive) ratio = 2.86

A grinding wheel was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that this grinding slurry was used, and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground. The temporal change in the amount sanded is in 7 shown. After grinding, the end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined with an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. The micrograph obtained is in 9 shown.

Comparative Example 1

An "Imperial Sign Diamond Lapping Film 3 Mil 3 Micron Type H" abrasive material manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was punched into a circular shape with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was obtained. An end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground in the same manner as in Example 1, except that this grinding wheel was used. The temporal change in the amount sanded is in 7 shown. After grinding, the end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined by an electron microscope, whereby a rough surface was confirmed. The micrograph obtained is in 10 shown.

Comparative Example 2

The grinding slurry produced in Example 1 was applied with a knife coater to a polyester film with a thickness of 75 μm, and the solvent was removed by evaporation, leaving an abrasive layer with 11 μm thick was obtained. The grinding layer was heated to 70 ° C. for 24 hours, so that the binder hardened has been. The abrasive material obtained became a circular shape punched with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was obtained.

An end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground in the same manner as in Example 1, except that this grinding wheel was used. The temporal change in the amount sanded is in 7 shown. After grinding, the end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined with an electron microscope, whereby a rough surface was confirmed. The microscopic up obtained name is in 11 shown.

Comparative Example 3

The grinding slurry produced in Example 2 was applied with a knife coater to a polyester film with a thickness of 75 μm, and the solvent was removed by evaporation, leaving an abrasive layer with 11 μm thick was obtained. The abrasive layer was heated at 70 ° C for 24 hours, so that the binder hardened has been. The abrasive material obtained became a circular shape punched with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was produced.

An end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground in the same manner as in Example 1, except that this grinding wheel was used. The temporal change in the amount sanded is in 7 shown. After grinding, the end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined with an electron microscope, whereby a rough surface was confirmed. The micrograph obtained is in 12 shown.

By comparing the 8th and 9 With 10 it can be understood that the abrasive materials of Examples 1 and 2 result in a smoother ground surface than the abrasive material of Comparative Example 1, which is a common product. By comparing 8th With 11 It can be understood that the abrasive material of Example 1 gives a smoother surface than the abrasive material of Comparative Example 2, which is an abrasive material made from the same slurry but has an abrasive layer without a three-dimensional structure. By comparing 9 With 12 it can be understood that the abrasive material of Example 2 gives a smoother surface than the abrasive material of Comparative Example 3, which is an abrasive material made from the same slurry but has an abrasive layer without a three-dimensional structure.

From the in 7 The diagram shown shows that the grinding wheel of Example 2 has a higher grinding performance than the grinding wheel of Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

Example 3

An abrasive slurry was made by mixing the ingredients shown in Table 6.

Table 6

• Abrasive grains / binder ratio 2.00
• Abrasive grains / (binder + Additive) ratio = 1.96

The same molded sheet of polypropylene, as used in Example 1 was made. A grinding slurry was applied to the mold plate with a roller coater and 5 min at 60 ° C dried. A lamination binder made in Example 1 was applied thereon, and further became a transparent polyester film with 75 μm Thickness placed on top and pressed with a roller for lamination. With Ultraviolet rays were irradiated from the polyester film side, to harden the binder. The mold plate was removed and the result was at room temperature cooled, so that an abrasive material was obtained. This abrasive material was punched into a round shape with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was manufactured.

Meanwhile, an optical fiber sleeve was manufactured, and an end surface thereof was machined under the same grinding conditions as in Example 7 using an "Imperial Sign Diamond Lapping Film 3 Mil 0.5 micron Type H" abrasive manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ground. An end surface of this optical fiber press plate was further ground with the manufactured grinding wheel. The grinding condition is shown in Table 7.

Table 7

After grinding, the end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined with an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. The micrograph obtained is in 13 shown.

The shape of the end surface of the optical fiber ferrule after grinding, was made by "Zoom Interferometer ZX-1 Mini PMS" manufactured by Directly measured Optical Research Company (DORC), and the reflected Damping amount was using a "back reflection measuring device RM300 A " measured by JDS FITEL. The results are shown in Table 9.

Example 4

An abrasive slurry was made by mixing of the components shown in Table 8.

Table 8

• Abrasive grains / binder ratio 2.00
• Abrasive grains / (binder + Additive) ratio = 1.96

A grinding wheel was produced in the same manner as in Example 3, except that this grinding slurry was used, and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground. A microscopic picture of the end surface after grinding is shown in 14 shown. The shape of the end surface and the amount of attenuation reflected are shown in Table 9.

Comparative Example 4

An "Imperial Sign Diamond Lapping Film 3 Mil 0.05 micron AO Type P" abrasive material manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was punched into a circular shape with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was obtained. An end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground in the same manner as in Example 3, except that this grinding wheel was used. A microscopic picture of the end surface after grinding is shown in 15 shown. The shape of the End surface and the reflected amount of damping are shown in Table 9.

Comparative Example 5

The grinding slurry prepared in Example 3 was applied with a knife coater to a polyester film with a thickness of 75 μm, and the solvent was removed by evaporation, leaving an abrasive layer with 4 μm thick was obtained. A polyester film with a thickness of 31 μm was placed on this grinding layer laminated, and the binder was obtained by irradiation with ultraviolet rays hardened. The abrasive material obtained became a circular shape punched with 110 mm diameter so that a grinding wheel received has been.

An end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground in the same way as in Example 3, except that this grinding wheel was used. Grinding piling up however bonds on the end surface which made it impossible to perform an efficient grinding.

Comparative Example 6

The grinding slurry prepared in Example 4 was applied with a knife coater to a polyester film with a thickness of 75 μm, and the solvent was removed by evaporation, leaving an abrasive layer with 4 μm thick was obtained. A polyester film with a thickness of 31 μm was placed on this grinding layer laminated, and the binder was obtained by irradiation with ultraviolet rays hardened. The abrasive material obtained became a circular shape punched with 110 mm diameter so that a grinding wheel received has been.

An end surface of an optical fiber sleeve was ground in the same way as in Example 3, except that this grinding wheel was used. However, when grinding, piling up Bonds on the end surface, what it is impossible made an efficient grinding.

Table 9

Have been like in the 13 and 14 shown using the abrasive materials of Examples 3 and 4, the abrasive strips created during abrading disappeared with the "Imperial Sign Diamond Lapping Film 3 Mil 0.5 Micron Type H" abrasive material manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ( 10 ) by grinding for 60 sec. This end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was extremely smooth and finely ground and, as shown in Table 9, the amount of attenuation reflected was extremely small compared to Comparative Example 4. The abrasive material of Example 4 showed an extremely good result when the abrading was carried out using 2-propanol as the cooling liquid.

Example 5

An abrasive slurry was made by mixing of the components shown in Table 10.

Table 10

• Abrasive grains / binder ratio 2.72
• Abrasive grains / (binder + Additive) ratio = 2.69

The same molded sheet of polypropylene, as used in Example 1 was made. A grinding slurry was applied to the mold plate with a roller coater and 5 min at 70 ° C dried. A lamination binder made as in Example 1, was applied to it and furthermore a transparent one Polyester film with 75 μm Layered on top and pressed with a roller for lamination. From the polyester film side was blasted with ultraviolet rays, to cure the lamination binder. Then was the binder in the grinding slurry hardened by heating at 70 ° C for 24 hours.

The result was at room temperature cooled, and the mold plate was removed to produce an abrasive material. This abrasive material became a circular shape with a diameter punched by 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was produced. The grinding conditions are shown in Table 11.

Table 11

The temporal change in the amount sanded is in 16 shown.

Then the grinding wheel replaced with a new one, and the end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was ground. The grinding condition is shown in Table 12.

Table 12

After grinding, the end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined by an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 17 shown.

Example 6

An abrasive material was made in the same manner as in Example 5, except that a polypropylene mold plate with recesses in the form of inverted three-dimensional elements as in 5 shown was used. With this abrasive material, the abrasive layer has a three-dimensional structure of a house shape arranged in a stripe pattern, as in 5 shown. The dimensions are shown in Table 13.

Table 13

The symbols h, s, and β represent the height of the three-dimensional element, the height of the upper region of the three-dimensional element and the in 4 shown angle.

The obtained grinding material was punched out into a circular disc with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding disc was produced. A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground with the grinding wheel in the same manner as in Example 5. The change over time in the amount of sanded off of the round zirconium dioxide rod is in 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined by an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 18 shown.

Example 7

An abrasive material was made in the same manner as in Example 5, except that a polypropylene molding plate with depressions in the form of the inverted three-dimensional elements as in 1 and 2 shown was used. In this abrasive material, the abrasive layer has a three-dimensional structure with a tetrahedral shape that is most densely packed, as in the 1 and 2 shown. The dimensions are shown in Table 14.

Table 14

The grinding material obtained was punched out into a circular disc with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding disc was obtained. A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground with this grinding wheel in the same manner as in Example 5. The change over time in the amount of sanded off of the round zirconium dioxide rod is in 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined with an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 19 shown.

Example 8

An abrasive material was made in the same manner as in Example 5, except that a polypropylene molding plate with depressions in the form of the inverted three-dimensional elements as in 4 shown which had a different shape than in Example 5 was used. In this abrasive material, the abrasive layer has a three-dimensional structure with a prism shape arranged in a stripe pattern, as in FIGS 4 shown. The dimensions are shown in Table 15.

Table 15

The grinding material obtained was punched out into a circular disc with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding disc was obtained. A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground with this grinding wheel in the same manner as in Example 5. The change over time in the amount of sanded off of the round zirconium dioxide rod is in 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined with an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 20 shown.

Comparative Example 7

An "Imperial Sign Diamond Lapping Film 3 Mil 9 Micron Type H" abrasive material manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was punched into a circular shape with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was obtained. A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground in the same manner as in Example 5, except that this grinding wheel was used. The temporal change in the amount of the zirconia rod that is ground is 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined by an electron microscope, whereby a rough surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 21 shown.

Comparative Example 8

The abrasive slurry prepared in Example 5 was applied to a polyester film 75 µm thick with a knife coater, and the solvent was removed by evaporation to make an abrasive layer with a thickness of 14 μm was obtained. The abrasive layer was heated to 70 ° C for 24 hours and then further to 100 ° C for 24 hours so that the binder was cured. The grinding material was obtained by cooling to room temperature and punched into a circular shape with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was obtained.

A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground with the grinding wheel in the same manner as in Example 6, except that this grinding wheel was used. The change over time in the amount of sanded off of the round zirconium dioxide rod is in 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined by an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 22 shown.

Example 9

A grinding wheel was made by mixing of the components shown in Table 16.

Table 16

• Abrasive grains / binder ratio 2.86
• Abrasive grains / (binder + Additive) ratio = 2.82

A lamination binder was used by mixing the ingredients shown in Table 17.

Table 17

The same molded sheet of polypropylene, as used in Example 1 was made. A grinding slurry was applied to the mold plate with a roll coater and 5 min at 70 ° C dried. A lamination binder was applied thereon and Furthermore, a transparent polyester film with a thickness of 75 μm was placed on it layered and pressed with a roller for lamination. Of the Polyester film side was exposed to ultraviolet rays, to cure the lamination binder. Then was the binder in the grinding slurry hardened by heating at 70 ° C for 24 hours.

The result was at room temperature cooled, and the mold plate was removed to produce an abrasive material. This abrasive material became a circular shape with a diameter punched by 110 mm, so that a grinding wheel was produced.

A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground with the grinding wheel in the same manner as in Example 5, except that this grinding wheel was used. The change over time in the amount of sanded off of the round zirconium dioxide rod is in 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined by an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 23 shown.

Example 10

An abrasive material was placed on the made the same way as in Example 9, except that the same mold plate made of polypropylene as used in Example 6. This abrasive material was in a circular Form punched with 110 mm diameter, so that a grinding wheel was obtained.

A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground with the grinding wheel in the same manner as in Example 5, except that this grinding wheel was used. The change over time in the amount of sanded off of the round zirconium dioxide rod is in 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined by an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 24 shown.

Example 11

An abrasive material was made in the same manner as in Example 9, except that a polypropylene mold plate with depressions in the form of inverted three-dimensional elements as in 5 shown was used. With this grinding material, the grinding layer has a three-dimensional structure of a pyramid shape, as in 3 shown, the top being shortened to a predetermined height. The dimensions are shown in Table 18.

Table 18

The symbols h, s, and α stand for the height of the three-dimensional Element, the height the upper area of the three-dimensional element, or the angle between the two edges of the three-dimensional element in front of the Shorten the top.

The grinding material obtained was punched out into a circular disc with a diameter of 110 mm, so that a grinding disc was obtained. A round zirconia rod and an end surface of an optical fiber sleeve were ground with this grinding wheel in the same manner as in Example 5, except that this grinding wheel was used. The change over time in the amount of sanded off of the round zirconium dioxide rod is in 16 shown. The end surface of the optical fiber sleeve was examined with an electron microscope, whereby a smooth surface was confirmed. A microscopic picture is in 25 shown.

From the in 16 The diagram shown is understandable that the grinding wheels of Examples 5 to 11 have a higher grinding performance and a longer service life than the grinding wheels of Comparative Examples 7 and 8. Also by comparing the 17 to 20 and 23 to 25 with the 21 and 22 It can be understood that the grinding wheels of Examples 5 to 11 have a smoother ground surface than the grinding wheel of Comparative Example 7, which is a common product, and the grinding wheel of Comparative Example 8 with an abrasive layer without a three-dimensional structure.

The present embodiment is illustrative and not restrictive since the scope of the invention through the attached Expectations and is not defined by the foregoing description.

Claims (21)

Process for making an abrasive material ( 606 ) with an abrasive layer ( 605 ) with a three-dimensional structure, the method comprising the following steps: (1) filling a mold plate ( 601 ) with a plurality of regularly arranged depressions with an abrasive material coating solution ( 602 ) containing abrasive grains, a binder and a solvent to a predetermined depth; (2) removing the solvent from the abrasive coating solution in the wells by evaporation; (3) further filling the wells with a binder ( 603 ) in the absence of abrasive particles; (4) laminating a base material ( 604 ) on the mold plate to bind the binder to the base material; and (5) hardening the binder. The method of claim 1, wherein the binder hardened by UV radiation becomes. The method of claim 1, wherein the binder, contained in the abrasive coating solution used in step (1) is made of phenolic resin, aminoplast resin, urethane resin, epoxy resin, acrylate resin, acrylated Isocyanurate resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, isocyanurate resin, acrylated urethane resin, acrylated epoxy resin, resol phenolic resin, polyester resin, vinyl resin, Melamine resin and a mixture thereof is selected. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (3) used binders made of phenolic resin, aminoplast resin, urethane resin, Epoxy resin, acrylate resin, acrylated isocyanurate resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, isocyanurate resin, acrylated urethane resin, acrylated epoxy resin, resol phenolic resin, Polyester resin, vinyl resin, melamine resin and a mixture thereof is selected. Abrasive material ( 100 ) for grinding an end surface of an optical fiber connector into a predetermined shape, the grinding material being a base material ( 101 ) and an abrasive layer on the base material ( 102 ), the abrasive layer having a three-dimensional structure consisting of a plurality of regularly arranged three-dimensional elements ( 104 ) is built with a predetermined shape; characterized in that the three-dimensional elements ( 1 ) a top layer ( 105 ) comprising an abrasive composite comprising abrasive grains dispersed in a binder, and (2) a bottom portion ( 106 ) which comprises a binder in the absence of abrasive particles. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the tops of the three dimensional elements from to a surface of the Basic material parallel points or lines are built and essentially all points or lines on one to the surface of the Base material are arranged parallel plane. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the concentration the abrasive grains exceeds a critical pigment volume concentration in the top layer of the grinding layer. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the shape of the three-dimensional elements with a tetrahedron or pyramid shape grooves connected at a top. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the three-dimensional Elements a height between about 2 microns and about 300 microns. The abrasive material of claim 9, wherein the height of the three-dimensional Items varied by less than 20%. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the shape of the three-dimensional elements with a prism shape to a surface of the Basic material is parallel grooves on a top. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the size of the abrasive grain is between is about 0.01 and about 1 micron. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the size of the abrasive grain is between about 0.5 and about 20 microns. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the nominal size of the abrasive grain is between is about 2 and about 4 microns. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the nominal size of the abrasive grain is between is about 7 and about 10 microns. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the maximum Approximate size of the abrasive grain Is 16 microns. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the middle Size of the abrasive grain between is about 7.5 and about 9.5 microns. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the binder made of phenolic resin, aminoplast resin, urethane resin, epoxy resin, acrylate resin, acrylated isocyanurate resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, isocyanurate resin, acrylated Urethane resin, acrylated epoxy resin, resol phenolic resin, polyester resin, Vinyl resin, melamine resin and mixtures thereof is selected. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the abrasive grains are made of molten alumina, heat treated Aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide-zirconium dioxide, garnet, diamond, cubic boron nitride, Silicon dioxide, cerium oxide, sol-gel aluminum oxide, Chromium oxide, zirconium dioxide, iron oxide and mixtures thereof are selected. The abrasive material of claim 5, wherein the base material is flexible, in particular for ball grinding an end surface of a Optical fiber connector to be suitable. Abrasive material according to claim 20, which in is capable of an end surface an optical fiber connector with a loss of connection of no more than 1.0 dB.