There are tons of great ways a carbide bur can be used. Any type of project that requires a piece of material to be molded, cut, or ground down can require the use of a carbide bur. Here are a few basic facts about carbide rotary burs for novices looking to learn about and take advantage of their many great benefits:
What Exactly Are They?
Carbide burs are basically a type of drill bit or rotary bit that is used to shape various types of materials. They are made out of tungsten carbide, which is more durable than steel and can also withstand much higher temperatures. Known for their incredibly sharp cutting edges and long-lasting durability, carbide burs make an incredible tool for molding materials such as plastic, wood, enamel, stone, porcelain, iron, steel, and aluminum. In fact, dentists often use carbide burs for many dental procedures, such as cavity excavation and teeth contouring.
Carbide Bur Shapes
There are many different bur shapes, each of which is used for a particular purpose. These different shapes and angles are unique; some of the more popular varieties are round and cone-shaped. Round or ball-shaped burs are primarily used for creating bowl-shaped cuts or hollowing and shaping an area. Dentists use these to create minuscule holes for removing fillings, amongst other uses, and many woodworkers and jewelry-makers use them for carving and engraving their work. Cone-shaped burs can also be used for these purposes, but on materials that are much harder to shape or more difficult to reach. There are many other unique bur shapes that each serves a distinct purpose. Before choosing the right bur for your project, make sure to invest some time in researching each one.
Speed and Pressure
A carbide bur is meant to be used very gently, and can often break when a lot of pressure is applied—so it is important that they are used at high rotation speeds with very little pressure applied to the material being shaped. This of course depends on the type of material you are using the bur on. If you are unsure of what rotation speed is right for any particular material, a good rule of thumb to follow is to never exceed thirty-five thousand RPMs. Basically, you want to start out slow and then begin increasing the rotation speed as necessary. Going too slow for an extended period of time can cause the burs to chip and break, so finding the right speed is crucial.
As for pressure, it is important to allow the bur to do its thing and not apply too much. This will ruin the bur by chipping away its cutting edges, so it’ll become too smooth to do its job.
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