The abrasive materials have major applications in the manufacturing industries for finishing metal and non-metallic workpieces. These abrasives are mainly classified into two major groups: Bonded and Coated abrasives.
Bonded abrasive products such as grinding wheels and coated abrasive products such as (belts, discs, sheets, etc.) are used to eliminate excessive stock from the surface and perform their role in polishing and finishing of the metal and nonmetals.
Along, with bonded and coated abrasives there is a third category of non-woven abrasives.
What are Non-Woven Abrasives?
Non-woven abrasives are highly specialized and necessary products for preparing and applying the final surface finish. There are wide uses of non-woven abrasives.
These products are made by a “web” of nylon fibers bonded together with synthetic resins. The fibers are infused with abrasive grain, creating a padded, (3D) three-dimensional material that is flexible and long-lasting, as well as suitable to the workpiece.
Non-woven abrasives are perfect grinding items for deburring, cleaning, and achieving the required finishing to a variety of materials.
Components of Non-Woven Abrasives
Although non-wovens abrasives are produced differently than traditional coated abrasives, many of the same abrasive materials are used for all types of products.
Silicon carbide is sharper, cuts deeper and faster and, on most surfaces, produces finer scratch patterns. Aluminum oxide appears to last longer and is more durable. In some applications (such as hardened steel parts), it is more aggressive and causes less aluminum decoloration.
Benefits of Using Non-Woven Abrasives
- Non-woven abrasives are Waterproof and can be used in wet and dry forms.
- It creates an accurate and uniform material finish.
- As heat is passed through the open grid of the non-woven abrasive there are minimum chances of smearing and decoloration of the workpiece.
- Non-woven abrasives are not conductive, Also prevent rusting and fading.
- They are easy to handle and use, and work at fewer costs.
- They are less maintenance procedure.
- It can perform very well on regular and irregular surfaces too.
Types of Non-Woven Abrasives
There are various forms of Non-Woven Abrasives:
- Cleaning and Finishing
- Surface Conditioning Material
- Convolute and Unitized Wheels
Basically, Nonwoven abrasives can be divided into the following categories:
Heavy Cleaning and Finishing-
Cleaning and finishing products composed of a non-woven frame without a woven overlay and non-machine (hand-operated) operated products. Their open web structure is resistant to rust, loading and can be smoothly rinsed and frequently used. Common cleaning and finishing non-woven products are non-woven pads, sheets, flap wheels and rolls, and discs.
Surface Conditioning–
Surface conditioning allows the change of the surface of a product, without the base material being removed or affected. In industrial processes, surface conditioning products such as discs and belts are used to get smooth surface finishing.
Convolute & Unitized Wheels –
Convolute and Unitized Wheels are best to use for finishing and deburring applications. They are not over or under a cut, from part to part, they have a more uniform finish, you can form a wheel and keep a profile and they are smear-resistant.
Different Types of Non-Woven Abrasive Products (Benchmark Abrasives)
- Non-Woven Flap Wheels
- Non-Woven Quick-Change Disc & Belts
- Non-Woven Hand Pads
- Non-Woven Kits & Accessories
Non-Woven Flap Wheels
Flap wheels are designed with multiple abrasive sheets attached to the core. These abrasive sheets wear away during the grinding process and frequently exposes new & fresh abrasive layer. The non-woven polishing wheel is widely used for deburring, cleaning, polishing, fabricating, and finishing in metalworking applications.
Non-Woven Quick-Change Disc & Belts
Quick change discs are mainly used with the grinders to prepare surfaces for paint and other finishing applications. The non-woven abrasive discs are mainly available in fiber across the grit range from coarse to very fine. Quick change disc saves time with their easy twist-on fastening functions.
Non-Woven Hand Sanding Pads
Hand sanding pads include synthetic steel wool rubber composite sanding blocks and hand pads, non-woven abrasive plastic, diamond coating, or with attached aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, or aluminum silicate in the pads. Using these non-woven abrasive pads on metal composite or plastic surfaces for grinding, deburring, polishing, finishing, and surface preparation.