Single-Step Weld Blending & Grinding

Norton Rapid Prep™ XHD Coarse and Medium Discs from Saint-Gobain Abrasives (Worcester, MA) solve the most aggressive stock removal and blending challenges. These extra-heavy duty non-woven discs remove weld lines, weld splatter, weld discoloration and blend surfaces in a single step. XHD Coarse is ideal for surface blending on steels, while XHD Medium works well on softer metals/ alloys. Compared with coated flap discs, users will save significant labor and consumable costs by reducing application steps. Rapid Prep XHD discs offer a unique combination of a conformable fiber matrix and premium ceramic grain, resulting in improved cut control and surface blending over traditional coated flap and fiber discs. Product life is increased and shape integrity is maximized due to the blended fiber web that dissipates work-piece debris. In addition, the Norton Clean Bond® resin system prevents smearing and produces a controlled wear rate.

“Test results have been exceptional,” noted abrasives product manager Mario Davila. “In comparison tests, fabricators and welders will see a higher cut rate of over 25 percent with less shedding, and two times the life over the top competitive product using these non-woven discs. XHD discs are ideal for working with stainless steel and aluminum.” Rapid Prep XHD Discs have 12 sizes offered in three non-woven types: quick change discs from 2 in to 4 in TR attachment, hook and loop discs in both 7/8 in hole and no hole from 4-1/2 in to 7 in diameter, and speed change discs from 4-1/2 in x 5/8-11 Fastener to 7 in x 7/8 in Fastener. Both coarse and medium discs are stock items.

For faster cutting, longer life and superb finishes on challenging materials in difficult-to-reach applications, Saint-Gobain Abrasives offers the Norton Merit Pink R928, a better tier of flap wheels and specialty abrasives, including cartridge/spiral rolls and square/cross pads that feature a superior ceramic grain for greater efficiency when beveling, blending, cleaning/detailing, deburring and finishing stainless steel and other hard-to-grind materials. A variety of Merit Pink mounted points feature Norton 86A aluminum oxide abrasives, providing an excellent combination of friability and form holding. For hard-to-reach applications, a poly cotton backing on Merit Pink R928 flap wheels and specialty abrasives adds more durability compared to traditional cotton back products. Due to a coating on the grain/ bond that reduces friction for a greater grain holding ability, the R928 line cuts cooler and faster on hard-to-grind materials.

“A clear trend in industry today is the growing use of smaller abrasives,” explained senior product manager Patrick Carroll. “These flap wheels and specialties answer this need and also provide excellent finishes and increased productivity. When used with our handheld pneumatic die grinder, customers have a lightweight, ergonomic grinding system with more control.” This line is ideal for manufacturers in metal fabrication, welding, energy, oil and gas, foundry and castings, MRO and aerospace. The Norton and Merit brands are joining forces to deliver a simpler, comprehensive one-stop shop product portfolio for all specialty abrasives for offhand and portable power tools within a single “Norton Merit” brand – and the Norton Merit Pink line is the first introduction under this unique branding.

Mini Flap Wheels are ideal for a wide variety of blending, deburring and finishing applications. They feature an improved resin bond system that extends wheel life and provides less down-time for changeovers. Threaded versions are designed for polishing and finishing intricate surfaces, and are offered in 1 in, 2 in and 3 in diameters mounted on a 1/4-20 thread that enables quick wheel on and off, with no tools required. Shank-mounted Flap Wheels are extremely durable and long-lasting for demanding, heavy stock removal applications and are offered in 1 in, 2 in and 3 in diameters mounted on a ¼ in steel shank. For hard-to-reach inside surfaces and inside corners, Cartridge Rolls and Tapered Spiral Rolls are excellent for flash removal, polishing, or removing machine markets and edge breaking. Cartridge Rolls are offered in ¼ in, 3/8 in and ½ in diameters and have a 1½ in length and 1/8 in height. Spiral Rolls are available in 3/8 in and ½ in diameters and have a 1½ in length and 1/8 in height.

Square Pads are smoother and easier to control while grinding almost as fast as hard wheels. Their corners wear down consistently exposes fresh abrasive, and the pad becomes round for less aggressive stock removal. Norton Merit Pink Square Pads are exceptionally well suited for the quick blending of channels, fillets, corner and spotting flat surfaces. Sizes include 2 in x 2 in x 1/2 in, 3 in x 3 in x 1/4 in and 3 in x 3 in x 1/2 in. Cross Pads are shaped to enable seeing through to the contact area for conforming to variable internal diameters and are used for close-tolerance polishing of small radii and channels, deburring, and finishing bell-mouth configurations. Sizes offered include 1½ in x 1½ in x 1½ in, 2 in x 2 in x ¾ in and 3 in x 3 in x 1 in. Offered in many sizes in several different shapes, Norton Merit Pink 86A Vitrified Bond Mounted Points are small grinding wheels permanently fastened to its own spindle for use in a broad range of operations on a variety of machines. Diameters range from ¼ in to 1 in and are offered in a multitude of configurations and heights.

Saint-Gobain Abrasives also offers next generation Norton Blazex F970 fiber discs that offer a 50 percent faster cut rate in carbon steel and soft-to-grind materials. These fiber discs enable faster rust removal and enhanced cleaning and detailing processes for better finishes. Users performing right angle grinding on a routine basis will see immediate results using the BlazeX F970 due to improved micro-fracturing grain. Consistently exposing sharper grain edges delivers a better cut rate and longer disc life when compared to blended ceramic alumina discs. These fiber discs improve operator control in stock removal, deburring, blending and other applications. A heavy fiber backing not only provides a better disc face to surface grinding advantage, it also resists tearing in heavy applications, extending disc life, and requiring fewer changeovers, resulting in less labor time.

“Intended for carbon steel and other soft-to-grind materials, BlazeX fiber discs provide cool cuts and longer life due to a non-supersized design,” said Carroll. “We see a 50 percent or greater cut rate using a BlazeX on these materials when compared to a Blaze F980. The BlazeX F970 is an excellent complement to our existing Blaze F980 discs that are engineered for stainless steel and other harder-to-grind materials. Together, both the BlazeX F970 and Blaze F980 fully cover right angle grinding in MRO, metal fabrication, welding, oil and gas, energy and shipbuilding markets, to name a few.” Norton BlazeX F970 fiber discs are available in three sizes consisting of 4½ in, 5 in and 7 in fiber discs, and in 7/8 in hole or speed-change attachments. Coarse grinding applications are supported through the four key grits of 36, 50, 60, and 80. “We are also offering test kits which include a box of BlazeX F970 and Blaze F980 36 grit fiber discs in each size for testing,” added Carroll. The kits are ideal for users who wish to see the difference between the two on their respective materials.

Norton | Saint-Gobain Abrasives, 1 New Bond Street, Worcester, MA 01606-2614, 508-795-5000, www.nortonabrasives.com.