Composite abrasive particles and method of manufacture

A method of manufacturing a coated abrasive article comprising:

• forming a mixture comprising an abrasive particle with a sol, the sol comprising an oxide and water;
• introducing the mixture into a spray dryer;
• drying the mixture in the spray dryer to form loose greenware agglomerates;
• firing the greenware agglomerates to form agglomerates, wherein the agglomerates comprise abrasive particles retained within a crystalline matrix of the oxide;
• mixing the agglomerates with a binder precursor to form a slurry;
• coating the slurry on a major surface of a backing;
• and
• curing the binder precursor.

A method of manufacturing a three dimensional fixed abrasive article comprising:

• forming a mixture comprising an abrasive particle with a sol, the sol comprising an oxide and water;
• introducing the mixture into a spray dryer;
• drying the mixture in the spray dryer to form loose greenware agglomerates;
• firing the greenware agglomerates to form agglomerates, wherein the agglomerates comprise abrasive particles retained within a crystalline matrix of the oxide;
• mixing the agglomerates with a binder precursor to form a slurry;
• applying the slurry to a production tool comprising cavities;
• and
• curing the binder precursor.

A method of polishing a workpiece comprising:

• providing an workpiece;
• bringing the workpiece in contact with a coated abrasive article, the coated abrasive article comprising agglomerate particles, the agglomerate particles comprising
• a crystalline matrix of an oxide;
• abrasive particles;
• and
• a normalized bulk density less than about 0.38;
• and
• moving the workpiece relative to the coated abrasive article.

An agglomerate particle comprising

• a crystalline matrix of an oxide;
• abrasive particles;
• and
• wherein the agglomerate has a normalized bulk density less than about 0.38.