Abrasive grain, method of making same and abrasive products

A method of making ceramic abrasive grain characterized by each abrasive particle thereof being comprised of an alpha-alumina-based core with an exterior surface having a coating of particulate inorganic material autogenously bonded to the exterior surface, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a mass of porous first particles comprising alpha-alumina precursor material each particle of which is sinterable to an alpha-alumina-based abrasive grain;
• (b) mixing with said mass, in the presence of a liquid, mass of second particles having the same or different composition and are much finer than said first particles until the second particles are distributed over the exterior surface of each first particle, said second particles being capable of autogenous bonding to the exterior surface of said first particles upon sintering of said first particles;
• and
• (c) heating said particles to remove said liquid and then to sinter said first particles and cause autogenous bonding of said second particles to the exterior surface of each of said first particles.