COATED AND NON-WOVEN ABRASIVES
Non-Woven Basics
Introduction Most Norton Bear-Tex products consist of a non-woven web of nylon fibers impregnated throughout with abrasive grain and bonded with synthetic resins. This design produces a cushioned, three-dimensional material that is extremely pliable and long lasting. The uniform dispersion of abrasive throughout the web provides a continuous supply of new grain as the old grain and fibers wear away during use. Norton Bear-Tex products, with their open mesh construction, are waterproof, washable, resilient, conformable, non-loading, non-conductive, non-metallic and non-rusting. Non-woven wheels are easily pre-formed to conform to special-shaped work pieces. Since non-woven products are designed for use where stock removal is not required, they begin where other abrasives leave off. The relatively non‑aggressive nature of nylon and grit inherent in the material makes it ideal as a finishing tool. While 60 to 80 grits are considered intermediate sizes in other products, they are considered coarse for non-woven items. Used wet or dry, Norton Bear-Tex non-woven products offer the following advantages: controlled cut (with little or no stock removal) allows for increased productivity, consistent, uniform finish, ability to automate operations, minimized smearing and reduced operator training. These advantages make our non-woven products an excellent alternative to bristle brushes, set-up wheels, greaseless compounds and steel wool.
Abrasives Ceramic alumina, silicon carbide and aluminum oxide abrasives are offered. Ceramic alumina cuts the fastest and is the most cost effective on large-volume applications. Silicon carbide is sharper, cuts faster than aluminum oxide, and produces finer scratch patterns on most surfaces. Aluminum oxide is more durable and tends to last longer. It causes less discoloration on aluminum, and is more aggressive on certain applications such as hardened steel parts. Norton Bear-Tex hand pads are also available in a non-abrasive material. Grits Grit refers to the size of the abrasive grain impregnated into the nylon web. The coarser the grit, the more aggressive the cut, the rougher the finish. The finer the grit, the less aggressive the cut and the resulting surface finish will be finer, if all other conditions are equal. GRIT DESIGNATIONS GRIT SIZE Extra Coarse (XC) 50 Coarse (C) 60 – 80 Medium (M) 100 – 150 Fine (F) 180 – 220 Very Fine (VF) 240 – 360 Super Fine (SF) 400 Ultra Fine (UF) 600 Micro Fine (MF) 800 – 1200 Densities The product “density”refers to the number of fibers which have been compressed into the nylon web material. Under identical conditions, harder density wheels cut faster, last longer and produce finer finishes than softer density wheels. Softer density wheels offer greater conformability and have less tendency to load or burn the work piece. Fiber Sizing Several nylon fiber sizes are used in the manufacture of Norton Bear‑Tex and Merit web material because the fiber size is a significant factor in the coating process, as each produces distinct cutting characteristics. Bonding Agents Waterproof resins are used in the manufacture of Norton Bear-Tex and Merit web material to bond the nylon fibers together and to firmly anchor the abrasive grains throughout the web.
Product Identification System
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A
M
A/O MED
Density
Abrasive
Grit Size
Open/Conformable
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A, A/O Aluminum Oxide C Ceramic Alumina S, S/C Silicon Carbide
XC C M, Med F
= Extra Coarse = Coarse = Medium = Fine = Very Fine = Ultra Fine = Micro Fine
VF UF MF
Dense/More Durable
Conventional Finishing Methods Versus Norton Bear-Tex Non-Woven Products
The following chart outlines the advantages achievable when using our products as alternatives to other cleaning, blending, deburring and finishing methods. These products are listed in the sequence of normal preference for the application stated. However, because of the numerous variables, only testing can ensure selection of the most cost-effective product.
CONVENTIONAL FINISHING METHOD
KEY APPLICATION
NORTON PRODUCT ALTERNATIVES Rapid Strip, Convolute Wheels, and Rapid Prep Discs
ADVANTAGES OF NORTON PRODUCT VERSUS ALTERNATE FINISHING METHODS
Bristle Brushes
Cleaning
Superior cleaning performance Higher productivity No slurry or compound required More consistent finish Eliminate compound dust Reduced maintenance No compound, instant set-up Elimination of compound dust More uniform finish More consistent work rate No break-in time required More consistent cut More uniform finish Maintain geometry Safer, no flying wheel pieces
Greaseless Compounds Finishing
Flap Wheels Convolute Wheels Unified Wheels Rapid Prep Discs Convolute Wheels Unified Wheels XHD Discs Rapid Prep Discs
Set-up Wheels
Blending/ Deburring
Steel Wool
Cleaning
Rolls Discs Hand Pads
Faster, longer life Less pressure required Non-rusting, cleaner Safer, no splinters
EZ Essentials Stock Abrasives Program
www.nortonabrasives.com
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