Description
Ceramic laps have been known for sharp facets and good polishing properties…If someone can get one to work. Rather unforgiving, and relying on critical thin film effects, when operated by the right person under the right conditions, most agree they produce perfect finishes.
The rest of us would like these results with a more forgiving version of the lap, that being a wider band of operating parameters.
The “MATRIX™” Ceramic Composite lap has a self-renewing microtexture and surface complexity that allows better polish retention and a less critical fluid film thickness. The MATRIX™ surface was characterized by computer programs similar to those used in the design of all-weather tires.(FD is 1.8927).
The 8″ MATRIX™ is made on a full-thickness master lap baseplate to emulate the heavy rigid feel of a ceramic lap.
The MATRIX™concept was suggested by Adamas Instrument, as was the suggestion of the thicker base.
The 8″ MATRIX™ price is $135.00.
lake989 –
I was having trouble with a piece of ametrine today. I was ready to toss it out. I took a break and my Matrix lap had arrived. I put it on my SXIII #34 machine that Gearloose built some years ago. I got a stick of Zirconium and w/o break in it brought a super shine to this tone. Very slow speed and very little polish. It was magic. I have 2 ceramic laps and love them both since I was trained on my Falcon Ceramic. Only Gearloose could figure out how to use diamond or oxides on ceramic. There was no question in my mind that oxides will not work on ceramic. I am wrong again. For now I am going to work through to much quartz but I am sure this will work on anything I have in stock.
jon –
Technically, it is a ceramic/polymer composite with exceptionally high surface complexity, around 1.89 Fractal Dimension, so unlike a vitreous ceramic, it actually holds polish. Lots of it, hence the caution to use very little polish agent. Always glad that someone is happy!