New Abrasive Film from Norton Abrasives Improves Surface Quality and Lowers Microfinishing Costs in Automotive, Bearing and Other Critical Applications.

Business Editors

WORCESTER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 2001

-- Norton Metalite(R) Q153 Abrasive Polyester-Backed Rolls Generate

Higher Cut Rates and More Consistent Tolerances --

A new line of abrasive film products made with high quality, tear resistant, 5 mil (0.125mm) DuPont Mylar polyester has been introduced by Norton Company.

In applications such as crankshaft mains and pins, camshaft main journals and lobes, roll finishing and transmission shafts, Metalite Q153 has proven to generate superior part quality and lower microfinishing costs.

To produce superior surface finishes at higher cut rates, the process used by Norton to manufacture Metalite Q153 film anchors a uniform coating of premium micron graded aluminum oxide abrasive grains with two adhesives to a polyester backing. The tightly controlled, consistent application of Make and Size adhesives results in reduced swarf loading between the abrasive grains. Minimizing swarf loading extends product life and enhances its ability to generate superior quality finishes.

The adhesive resins selected for this innovative process also drastically reduce both VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions and the energy required for manufacturing.

To minimize film slippage, a Norton patented non-slip, non-abrasive friction material backcoating is applied to the polyester film. The non-slip backcoating provides superior friction characteristics that will not cause costly tool wear and poor part tolerance.

Norton Metalite Q153 film is dimensionally compatible with industry standard tooling geometry used in high-precision operations. The film backprint is color-coated for easy identification of the grit size. Grit sizes of 15-100 micron are available in standard rolls up to 14" wide x 600' long.

For more information on Norton Q153 film, contact Barry Cole, Manager of Advertising & PR, Norton Company, One New Bond Street, Box 15008, Worcester MA 01615-0008, [phone] or [e-mail].

Norton is a brand of Saint-Gobain Abrasives, one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world. Saint-Gobain is a leading producer of abrasives, building materials, flat glass, insulation, reinforcements, packaging, pipe, ceramics and plastics. Headquartered in Paris, Saint-Gobain had worldwide sales of $26.6 billion in 2000. The company has approximately 170,000 employees in more than 45 countries. In the U.S. and Canada, Saint-Gobain employs approximately 31,000 people, and has more than 200 manufacturing locations. Its total U.S. and Canada sales in 2000 were approximately $6.5 billion. Saint-Gobain's web site is www.saint-gobain.com. The Norton web site is www.nortonabrasives.com.