A considerable number of issues are involved in choosing the right abrasive material for any given application. Providing a comprehensive education in this space on the endless variety of possible applications would clearly be impossible. Nonetheless, the information below will provide some good general guidelines toward ordering a product to meet your customer's needs. We have the capability of making belts in width from 1/4" up to 60" wide, limited mainly by the width of jumbo roll. Included with each specification below, is the width of jumbo roll / maximum belt width. Standard Belt Joints Type 4 - Overlap joint without top skive. Strongest joining method, uni-directional. Type 4R - Overlap joint with top skive to reduce joint thickness at lap. Uni- directional. Standard on most cloth belts 80 grit and coarser. Type 5 - Strong butt joint without top skive. Bi-directional. Type 5R - Strong butt joint with relief skive. Bi-directional. Developed for smooth platen passage. Standard on most cloth belts 100 grit and finer. Type 5Z - Strong Z-lock butt joint without top skive. Bi-directional. Available on most belts 100 grit and finer. Type 3 - Thin, mylar butt joint for wide (9" through 37") paper belts 100 grit and finer. Abrasive Grains The two abrasive grains most commonly used today are aluminum oxide and silicon carbide. Aluminum oxide (traditionally, but not necessarily brown or reddish brown) is suitable to most general purpose applications and is specified for use on wood and most metals. Silicon carbide grain (traditionally, but not necessarily black or gray) is sharper but more brittle than aluminum oxide grain, and should be used on applications that are either very hard (i.e. glass, stone, porcelain and ceramics) or very soft (i.e. rubber and plastics). Silicon carbide grain tends to be more aggressive, but of shorter life than aluminum oxide. Zirconia alumina (a combination of zirconia with aluminum oxide) grains (traditionally, but not necessarily blue or green) are both sharp and durable, providing fast stock removal and longer life. They are used to greatest advantage in coarse grits on heavy-duty metalworking stock removal applications. More recently ceramic grains have been made available, either by themselves or in combination with aluminum oxide or zirconia grains. While more costly they often can improve grinding performance and cost-effectiveness of the product. Backing Materials & Flexibility The backing materials for abrasive belts are generally made from cloth or paper. Cloth backing material is made either from cotton or polyester, or some combination of the two. Cotton backed materials are acceptable in most general purpose and some heavy duty applications. Polyester or cotton/polyester combination materials tend to be stronger, and as such, may yield longer life in heavy duty applications. Polyester backed materials also have the advantage of being water resistant, so can be used with water as a coolant (only oil based coolants can be used with cotton backed materials). Some materials are made with a special size coating that makes them fully resistant breakdown from water. Their advantage is in their ability to be used fully submersed in water, in addition to being washable. Furthermore, the thickness and flexibility of cloth backed materials are designated by either J-weight (most flexible), X-weight (standard), and Y-weight (toughest, least flexible), and even within these designations, there are variations of flexibility. The specifications below list some J-weight products, yet even among them there is are great variations in flexibility. It is important to note that when a more flexible product is used, the end-user will experience a trade-off of shorter product life. Coating (Closed Coat versus Open Coat) Coated abrasives are manufactured in either closed coat or open coat. Closed coat materials have 100% grain coverage on the backing material, while open coat has approximately 70% grain coverage. As such, closed coat materials tend to be more aggressive and provide longer life in most applications. The lower grain coverage of open coat materials, however, has a distinct advantage on applications involving soft materials (i.e. soft woods, soft aluminum) in that it prevents the material from loading up and prematurely ending the useful life of the belt. Price Considerations (Price divided by Performance equals Value) Coated abrasives have become commodities. Not because coated abrasives really are commodities but because everyone has been misled to believe so. This assumes that coated abrasives are low technology products. Given that, then all coated abrasives of the same specification must be created equal and price is the primary consideration. In fact, coated abrasives are engineered for specific uses (applications) with related features and benefits. Additionally, comparable specifications can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer in regards to quality and technology. Therefore, selection of coated abrasives should never be based on price alone. The material that a given product is made from should be selected by what it does and how efficiently it does it. So all coated abrasives are NOT created equal? There is no way around it. You have to do the math. While the following formula:       Price / Performance = Value oversimplifies costing by leaving out related labor/overhead factors, it is nonetheless valid. Price (dollars) divided by Performance (parts finished) provides a far better picture of value than merely price alone. Size Availability:     Widths from 1/4" to 60" (depending on jumbo roll width)     Any length     Metric Sizes Available Material Specification Availability We carry a broad range of material specifications, each in a number and range of grits suited to anticipated usage. Many of the materials listed are available in a far broader range of grits than those shown, but we can only justify buying jumbo rolls of new material specifications when there is justifiable demand. The materials shown are presented in order of the highest performance materials first, with premium, general purpose and price grades following. High Performance Grades   SH   For deburring and grinding iron, steel and aluminum castings; heavy structural work; weld grinding on steels including stainless.     Grain: Ceramic     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: Y     Backing: Full Polyester     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 80, 60, 50, 40, 36, 24     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   R203   For deburring and grinding iron, steel and aluminum castings; heavy structural work; weld grinding on steels including stainless. Grinding aids in super-size coat and bonding system cut heat and add life.     Grain: Zirconia & Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: Y     Backing: Full Polyester     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches   R205   For deburring and grinding hard ferrous and non-ferrous metals, alloys and stainless steel requiring sharp cutting without heat build-up.     Grain: Zirconia & Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: Y     Backing: Full Polyester     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36, 24     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches   ZH   For deburring and grinding iron, steel and aluminum castings; heavy structural work; weld grinding steels including stainless.     Grain: Zirconia & Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Full Polyester     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 80, 60, 50, 40, 36, 24     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   R821   Original Norzon® Brand product for heavy stock removal from hard metals and alloys via durable grain and all-cotton backing that helps dissipate heat for longer life.     Grain: Zirconia & Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: Y     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 80, 60, 50, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches   23MX   Amended combination of grains cuts better, stays sharp, and lasts longer; grinding and cleaning welds; cleaning, smoothing and polishing ferrous and non-ferrous metals including stainless steel.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide & Ceramic     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Polyester / Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   CH   Grinding glass, ceramics, plastics, fiberglass, rubber, leather and non-ferrous metals; finishing iron, bronze, brass and aluminum castings; satin finishing sheet metals.     Grain: Silicon Carbide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Full Polyester     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 40, 36, 24     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   2AH   For deburring iron, steel and aluminum castings; grinding metal castings as well as bumps, oxidations and roughness on metals.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Full Polyester     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 60, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches Heavy Duty Grades   1AX   Specially heat treated grain last longer, cuts faster, and improves continuity of finish. Grinding and cleaning welds; cleaning, smoothing and polishing ferrous and non-ferrous metal parts and components.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 400, 320, 240, 220, 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36, 24     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   W25   Wide and narrow belt sanding of soft or hard wood; first belt material ever engineered for repeated washings; also good for applying brushed finishes to metals with controlled stock removal or minimal loading.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Open     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Polyester / Cotton     Water Resistant: Waterproof     Grits Normally Stocked: 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches   CW   Wet grinding glass or ceramics; dry grinding plastics, fiberglass, rubber, leather and non-ferrous metals; finishing iron, bronze, brass and aluminum castings; satin finishing sheet metals.     Grain: Silicon Carbide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Cotton (with waterproof coating)     Water Resistant: Waterproof     Grits Normally Stocked: 600, 400, 320, 240, 220, 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   R544   Dry grinding glass, ceramics, plastics, fiberglass, rubber, leather and non-ferrous metals; finishing iron, bronze, brass and aluminum castings; satin finishing sheet metals.     Grain: Silicon Carbide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Polyester / Cotton     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 220, 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches   1AJ   Cleaning and polishing contoured ferrous and non-ferrous components including final steps prior to plating processes.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: J     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 400, 320, 240, 220, 180, 150, 120, 100, 80     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   KAF   Cleaning and finishing intricately contoured ferrous and non-ferrous components including cutlery and plumbing fixtures; polishing wooden panels and profiles.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Open     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: J (very flexible)     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 400, 320, 240, 220, 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches General Purpose Grades   LAX   Grinding and cleaning ordinary steel, nonferrous metals and their alloys. Also suitable for closed-coat applications in general woodworking.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   R145   Grinding and finishing ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as sanding hardwoods. Base adhesion and grain retention engineered for improved edge wear in effected sizes, products and applications.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Polyester / Cotton     Water Resistant: Yes     Grits Normally Stocked: 400, 320, 240, 220, 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches   RB317   Grinding and cleaning welds; cleaning, smoothing and polishing ferrous and non-ferrous metal parts and components.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 400, 220, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 60 inches   AOGB   Sanding and fine finishing wood as well as ferrous metals where extra fine finish and/or flexibility are required.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Glue/Glue     Weight: J (extremely flexible)     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 500, 400, 320, 240, 180, 120     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 36 inches Price Grades   SPC   Grinding and finishing ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as sanding hard woods where loading is not a problem and durability is not critical.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Closed     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 320, 240, 220, 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches   SPO   Open-coat version of commodity-quality material suitable for ferrous and non-ferrous metal finishing and wood applications where loading is a consideration.     Grain: Aluminum Oxide     Coat: Open     Bond: Resin/Resin     Weight: X     Backing: Cotton     Water Resistant: No     Grits Normally Stocked: 180, 150, 120, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 36     Jumbo Roll / Maximum Belt Width: 52 inches