What coated abrasives are?

Coated Abrasive, is normally given to those abrasives products in which the abrasive particles or grains are applied to the surface of a flexible backing material by a bond or adhesive. This is coated abrasives or polishing materials. Their main application is for mass production grinding and finishing or light to medium parts, plastics , furniture making and other material. Most of us are aware of sandpaper which is an essential part of any DIY kit. Normally, the coated material is produced in large rolls and then cut or finished into various forms – belts, bands, cones, discs, rolls or sheets for grinding, sanding or finishing operations. The grains are normally deposited using an electrostatic process for all but the coarsest materials.The three main components of a coated abrasives are the particle, the backing and the bond. Common grain materials are aluminium oxide and silicon carbide, garnet and emery. Backing materials are either paper, cloth or fibre (it calls film polishing materials).