What Makes Up a Quality Sanding Abrasive? Vincent Welch 2008

What Makes Up a What Makes Up a Quality Sanding Quality Sanding

Abrasive?Abrasive?Vincent WelchVincent Welch

20082008

What Makes Up a Sanding What Makes Up a Sanding Abrasive?Abrasive?

3 Main Components3 Main Components

BackingBacking

AdhesiveAdhesive

Type of AbrasiveType of Abrasive

Abrasive BackingsAbrasive Backings

There are many variables!!!There are many variables!!!PaperPaper

ClothCloth

FoamFoam

FilmFilm

How Backing is GradedHow Backing is Graded All Abrasive Backing is GradedAll Abrasive Backing is Graded

The Higher the Letter the Stiffer the The Higher the Letter the Stiffer the Backing.Backing.

Grading Scale is A Weight Through Y Grading Scale is A Weight Through Y Weight.Weight.

Grade A is Very Thin. Grade A is Very Thin.

Graded X is Heaviest and Most Popular for Graded X is Heaviest and Most Popular for Belt ApplicationsBelt Applications

Paper Backing ExamplesPaper Backing Examples Paper (Code) g/m2 AppPaper (Code) g/m2 App A < 85 h A < 85 h == Fine Hand Sanding Fine Hand Sanding B 86 -110 B 86 -110 == Hand SandingHand Sanding C 111 -135 C 111 -135 == Hand Sanding Portable Hand Sanding Portable D 136 - 220 D 136 - 220 == Portable Sanding Portable Sanding

MachinesMachines E 221 - 270 E 221 - 270 == Machine Sanding Light Machine Sanding Light

Wide BeltWide Belt F 271 – 350F 271 – 350 == Machine Sanding Segment Machine Sanding Segment

BeltsBelts G 351 - 500 G 351 - 500 == Machine Sanding Segment Machine Sanding Segment

BeltsBelts H > 500 H > 500 == Machine Sanding Segment Machine Sanding Segment

BeltsBelts

Cloth BackingsCloth Backings

CharacteristicCharacteristic Cloth Cloth H stretchableH stretchable JJ highly flexibleJJ highly flexible J flexibleJ flexible X stiff / hardX stiff / hard Y polyester hardY polyester hard Z reinforced weftZ reinforced weft

ApplicationApplication

Profile sandingProfile sandingContour, Fine SandingContour, Fine Sanding

Contour SandingContour Sanding High Performance High Performance

SandingSanding High Perform Power High Perform Power

SandingSanding For Segmented Wide For Segmented Wide

BeltBelt

Cloth Backing TypesCloth Backing Types

Cotton BackingCotton Backing

Most popular material usedMost popular material used

Cotton backed belts run cooler.Cotton backed belts run cooler.

Cotton backing will stretch if wet. Cotton backing will stretch if wet.


Cotton Polyester BackingCotton Polyester Backing

Very strong stiff backing.Very strong stiff backing.

Cotton Polyester backing generates Cotton Polyester backing generates more heat.more heat.

Waterproof for wet applications. Waterproof for wet applications.


100% Polyester Backing100% Polyester Backing

The heaviest backing.The heaviest backing.

Used in very heavy removal Used in very heavy removal applicationsapplications

Most ExpensiveMost Expensive

Cloth Backed ExampleCloth Backed Example

Premium Green Discs From CSPremium Green Discs From CS

The cloth backing is extremely The cloth backing is extremely flexible and guarantees long life and flexible and guarantees long life and optimum performance under any optimum performance under any condition or type of material being condition or type of material being sanded. sanded.

Paper Backed ExamplePaper Backed Example

Pro-Gold Discs From CSPro-Gold Discs From CS These super flexible are ideal for These super flexible are ideal for

light to moderate finish sanding. Not light to moderate finish sanding. Not recommended for use on work with recommended for use on work with voids or natural edges as they may voids or natural edges as they may tear. tear.

AdhesivesAdhesives

2 Main Adhesives2 Main Adhesives

What are they??What are they??

AdhesivesAdhesives

2 Main Adhesives 2 Main Adhesives

Resin over ResinResin over Resin

Urea (Animal Fat)Urea (Animal Fat)

Resin over ResinResin over Resin

Very DurableVery Durable

Heat Resistant and Moisture Heat Resistant and Moisture ResistantResistant

Best for Woodturning Applications.Best for Woodturning Applications.

UREAUREA

Paper Application Mostly SheetsPaper Application Mostly Sheets

Made of Animal Fat Derived From Made of Animal Fat Derived From Animal Hide Animal Hide

Not Recommended for Woodturning Not Recommended for Woodturning ApplicationsApplications

Grit DistributionGrit Distribution

2 Types 2 Types

Who Can Tell Me 2 Ways Grit Are Who Can Tell Me 2 Ways Grit Are Distributed?Distributed?

Grit DistributionGrit Distribution

Open Grit DistributionOpen Grit Distribution

Closed Grit Distribution Closed Grit Distribution

Open Grit DistributionOpen Grit Distribution The grits are distributed with a definedThe grits are distributed with a defined

distance and cover about 50% the distance and cover about 50% the surface.surface.Advantages:Advantages:

Less clogging due to more free spaceLess clogging due to more free spacebetween the grits.between the grits.Application:Application:

Great for dry sanding on soft and cloggingGreat for dry sanding on soft and cloggingmaterials (soft wood, filler , paintmaterials (soft wood, filler , paintlacquer)lacquer)

Closed Grit DistributionClosed Grit Distribution The grits are distributed adjoining oneThe grits are distributed adjoining one

another COVERING up to 100% of theanother COVERING up to 100% of thesurface.surface.Advantages:Advantages:

More cutting edges in action, more stockMore cutting edges in action, more stockremoval, longer life, less scratch depthremoval, longer life, less scratch depthApplication:Application:

On Hard, non-clogging materials,On Hard, non-clogging materials, Better for wet sandingBetter for wet sanding

How are the Grits Spread How are the Grits Spread OutOut

Mechanically through GravityMechanically through Gravity

ElectrostaticallyElectrostatically

Mechanically Through Mechanically Through GravityGravity

Mechanically Through Mechanically Through GravityGravity

The grits fall by force of gravity on theThe grits fall by force of gravity on the

coated backing. The grits lie accidentalcoated backing. The grits lie accidental

surface.surface. Mechanically coated abrasives are lessMechanically coated abrasives are less

aggressive.aggressive. The least expensive, and lowest qualityThe least expensive, and lowest quality

manufacturing process.manufacturing process.



.

The grits become statically chargeThe grits become statically chargeattracted to the oncoming, base coated attracted to the oncoming, base coated backing.backing.

In the magnetic field the grits adjustIn the magnetic field the grits adjustand hit the coated backing vertically in theand hit the coated backing vertically in thelongitudinal axis.longitudinal axis.

Electrostatically coated abrasives are moreElectrostatically coated abrasives are moreaggressive and achieve a higher sandingaggressive and achieve a higher sandingperformance than mechanically coated performance than mechanically coated abrasives.abrasives.

Stearate CoatingStearate Coating

The additional stearate coat reducesThe additional stearate coat reduces

clogging of the abrasive. It is appliedclogging of the abrasive. It is applied

after the size coat. The color can after the size coat. The color can varyvary

different products for products.different products for products.

Abrasives with stearate are used toAbrasives with stearate are used to

sand lacquer and resinous wood. sand lacquer and resinous wood.

Grit Standards Grit Standards

World-wide there are 3 different important World-wide there are 3 different important grit standardsgrit standards

The first is CAMI which is the USA The first is CAMI which is the USA standard.standard.

The second is FEPA in Europe better The second is FEPA in Europe better known as P standard. Most common known as P standard. Most common used today.used today.

FEPA: FEPA: FFederation ederation EEuropéenne des faburopéenne des fab = Federation of European maufacturers= Federation of European maufacturers it standards are in use.it standards are in use. The Third is JIS in JapanThe Third is JIS in Japan..

Grit StandardsGrit Standards

FEPA or P Standard in Europe = FEPA or P Standard in Europe = because many abrasives because many abrasives manufactures are located in manufactures are located in Europe and using this standard.Europe and using this standard.

FEPA = Federation Européenne FEPA = Federation Européenne des fabdes fab

= Federation of European = Federation of European maufacturers.maufacturers.

Grain Cutting SizeGrain Cutting Size


A grain number stands for the gritA grain number stands for the grit

size. The grain numbersize. The grain number

corresponds to the mesh openingscorresponds to the mesh openings

per 1 Inch.per 1 Inch.

1 Inch = 25.4 mm1 Inch = 25.4 mm


Grain HardnessGrain Hardness

What scale is used to measure Grain What scale is used to measure Grain Hardness?????Hardness?????


The Mohs scale of hardness The Mohs scale of hardness measures sequence of hardness!!!!measures sequence of hardness!!!!


What is the Hardest Grain on Mohs What is the Hardest Grain on Mohs Scale??????? Scale???????

What is the Softest Grain on Mohs What is the Softest Grain on Mohs Scale???????Scale???????


Diamonds are the Hardest!!Diamonds are the Hardest!!

Talcum is the Softest!!!!Talcum is the Softest!!!!

As the grain becomes harder it also As the grain becomes harder it also becomes more brittle!becomes more brittle!


Abrasives GrainsAbrasives Grains

Aluminum OxideAluminum Oxide

– – Brown colored synthetic mineral. Brown colored synthetic mineral. ToughTough

abrasive grain.abrasive grain.

– – Applications: Most popular grain for Applications: Most popular grain for general grinding/sanding and general grinding/sanding and finishing.finishing.


Silicon CarbideSilicon Carbide

– – Shiny, black, sharp, very hard Shiny, black, sharp, very hard mineralmineral

– – Applications: Very tough grain Applications: Very tough grain used finishing glass, stone, and used finishing glass, stone, and ferrous metals, etc… ferrous metals, etc…


Non Worn Silicon Non Worn Silicon CarbideCarbide

Worn Silicon Worn Silicon CarbideCarbide

Grain StructureGrain Structure

Aluminum Oxide is not as brittle and Aluminum Oxide is not as brittle and becomes more rounded as it wears. becomes more rounded as it wears.

Cost StructureCost Structure

18% = Abrasive Grain18% = Abrasive Grain

15% = Coatings15% = Coatings

67% = Backing Cost67% = Backing Cost

100% = Cost100% = Cost

Finishing StepsFinishing Steps

Thank you for your Thank you for your Attention!!Attention!!

Questions??Questions??

Let take a quick break!Let take a quick break!

Documents

What Makes Up a Quality Sanding Abrasive? Vincent Welch 2008