Polishing Films And Pads: Choosing The Right Combination For Your Application

Choosing the right polishing film and pad combination is one of the most important steps in achieving the desired finish and geometry in optical component polishing. Different abrasive types remove material at different rates, affect surface quality differently, and are better suited for specific materials and endface requirements.

Silicon carbide and aluminum oxide films are commonly used for epoxy removal, stock removal, and applications where cost-effectiveness is important. Silicon carbide generally cuts faster, while aluminum oxide can provide a finer finish at the same particle size. For harder materials and more demanding geometries, diamond films offer a more aggressive solution and are commonly used when polishing ceramic ferrules, sapphire, tungsten carbide, and angled endfaces.

Just as important as the abrasive itself is the surface beneath it. Glass plates are typically used when a flat finish is required, while softer rubber pads can help generate controlled radii and other endface geometries. Proper film application to soft pads is also important for maintaining consistency and avoiding unwanted curvature or process variation.

This video demonstrates the correct way to apply film to flexible rubber discs so users can get the most from their selected polishing surface.