Abrasives Selection Guide
Choose from our extensive range of discs, wheels, burrs and sanding products
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Introduction
This guide will help you select the most appropriate abrasive product to use for the task you are carrying out. Choosing the optimum product to use will help you achieve professional results in fabrication and finishing applications, whether for metal, wood, plastic or other material.
Sections in this guide
Grit Explained
The graphic below shows the typical grit grades for each stage of the application process. Grades are inversely proportional to grit size, so fine abrasives are higher grades using smaller sizes of grit.
Hover over an application to see typical grit sizes.
Heavy Duty Grinding
Stock Removal
Cutting-Off
Deburring
Blending & Refining
Surface Preparation & Cleaning
Finishing
G
R
I
T
24
30
36
40
50
60
80
100
120
150 - 180
180 - 320
Using the Right Tools for the Job
There are many tools available for specific job requirements. Here we show which tool to select for the job in hand and which can be used as an alternative.
Once you have identified the tool to use, click the link to the right to see the range we offer.
What type of job do you have to do?
Cutting - metal
Cutting - non metal
Grinding
Stock removal
Deburring
Hand sanding
Surface preparation/Stripping/Cleaning
Surface blending & Conditioning
Product Selection guide
Known as cutting-off, the shaping of materials to the correct dimensions is carried out by cutting discs and wheels. We stock a range of performance and economy types to cut steels, alloys and tiles. Diamond cutting discs are used for hard, abrasive, often mineral based materials.
Did you know?
Cut from the edge of the component to avoid damaging the disc and causing potential harm to the operator.
Cutting disc shapes
Grinding wheels and discs remove welds and burrs as part of the metal fabrication process. Our range from 3M and Norton, for use on Angle Grinders (discs) and bench grinders (wheels), are designed for both rough and precision work.
Did you know?
When grinding with an angle grinder always work at an approximate 30 degree angle.
Grinding disc shapes
Grinding wheel shapes
Fibre and Flap discs to remove heavy weld seams and excess material form part of our Norton and RS Pro ranges and are designed for portable, Angle Grinder work.
Flap wheels, for faster stock removal, are supplied in diameters up to 77mm to maximise abrasive surface area.
Did you know?
The lower the grit level the more aggressive the disc will be. To avoid excessive damage use a higher grit.
Fibre/flat disc shapes
Flap disc shapes
Burrs are the tool to use for the deburring of most hard materials: steel, aluminium, stone, ceramics, hardwood and plastics. They can be used in small areas for precision work and with a tungsten carbide construction, have long life for high speed use. The popular choice for aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, foundry and aviation applications.
Suitable for
Steel, aluminium, stone, ceramics, hard wood and plastics
Other applications
Cutting, shaping, grinding, chamfering and deburring of most hard materials
Sanding by hand is a task that offers additional advantages over machine work.
Sanding in tight spaces, over complex contours and on areas which require special attention can demand a finish more easily achieved by hand.
Did you know?
The higher the grit the better finish you will achieve but the less material you will remove.
For efficient removal of dirt, paint, rust or corrosion and to prepare a surface prior to coating or welding, this selection of preparation products is available in multiple formats.
Our comprehensive selection is designed for a range of grinding and sanding tools.
Did you know?
When stripping metal components be careful not to damage the component resulting in costly re-work exercise.
Create smooth transitions between surfaces and curves or between two different metals with our range of conditioning discs.
Did you know?
Start with a coarse grit and work through to a finer grade, or until you achieve the finish you desire.
The final treatment in a construction project gives a piece its professional finish.
3M's Scotch-Brite™ web gives a consistent, repeatable finish on all metals without altering the geometry of the workpiece.
Did you know?
Start with a coarse grit and work through to a finer grade, or until you achieve the finish you desire.
Technologies we Offer
Use one of these links to view the products on the RS website
