Engineered Abrasives.

The NORax line of engineered abrasives is available from Norton Co., consisting of fine-grit products in which abrasive and bond are formed in distinct 3-D structures. Designed for use in metal finishing applications, the abrasives also provide cooler cutting than conventional abrasive products, resulting in less metallurgical damage to the part. Products in the initial line of the abrasives are narrow belts available with aluminum oxide and silicon carbide abrasives in grit sizes comparable to conventional abrasives ranging from P150-P2500. Backings are either a flexible cotton or semi-rigid polyester. The belts feature a multi-layer of abrasive grain with tight contact area control, which can be tailored to the application. The abrasives are available in three patterns. The Trihelical pattern performs best at moderate pressures, resulting in a consistent cut rate and long life. The Pyramid Cell pattern performs best at low- to medium-pressure grinding conditions in which the uniquely shaped cells provide an aggressive initial cut and long life. The Quad Cell pattern performs best when used at higher pressure and is ideal for use with harder contact wheels.