In general, the recycling or re-use of grinding tool components takes place in very few instances, although it is technically feasible in many cases. The reason lies in cost considerations. Today, the costs of recycling and re-use are higher than the benefits. This might change in the future because the decision is volatile and
depends on the constraints and limiting factors. This chapter cannot quantify the potentials for re-using grinding wheel components, but show options qualitatively. Tool manufactures offer
• collecting and recycling of abrasive tools as take-back service.
• Re-layering of steel bodies reduces the costs and material needed for superabrasive tools.
Tool users are concerned with tool life and disposal of tools.
• Abrasive tools with organic and resin bonds have a limited shelf life.
• The life of all other tools is mainly limited by tool wear.
• Tool disposal has to follow waste regulations and can have high disposal costs. Special care has to be taken for tools with hazardous bond ingredients, such as metal bonds.
• Tool users are interested in the lower costs and shorter processing times when re-layering steel bodies.
The whole society takes care about
• the reduction of waste and recycling in general, because a lot of waste in form of grinding wheels and bonded tools appears each year.