Best Abrasives for Your Job – Complete Guide | SC Fastening




What Types of Abrasives to Use for Your Job

Choosing the right abrasives for your project is essential for achieving the desired finish, maintaining efficiency, and ensuring safety. Abrasives are used in countless industries—from metal fabrication to woodworking—and each type serves a unique purpose depending on the material, surface, and application.

1. Coated Abrasives

Coated abrasives consist of abrasive grains bonded to a flexible backing material such as paper, cloth, or polyester. These are most commonly used in sandpaper, sanding belts, and discs.

Best For:

  • Smoothing wood surfaces
  • Finishing metal edges
  • Paint and rust removal
Popular Grit Ranges:

  • Coarse (40–60 grit) for heavy stock removal
  • Medium (80–120 grit) for shaping and blending
  • Fine (150–400 grit) for finishing work

2. Bonded Abrasives

Bonded abrasives are made by mixing abrasive grains with bonding materials to form rigid shapes like grinding wheels or sharpening stones.

Best For:

  • Grinding and shaping metal
  • Sharpening tools
  • Precision cutting applications
Common Materials:

  • Aluminum oxide for general-purpose grinding
  • Silicon carbide for harder materials like stone and glass

3. Non-Woven Abrasives

These abrasives are made from nylon fibers impregnated with abrasive grains. They are flexible, conformable, and ideal for surface conditioning.

Best For:

  • Light deburring
  • Surface cleaning without damaging the base material
  • Creating a consistent finish
Advantages:

  • Reduced heat build-up
  • Long life compared to coated abrasives

4. Blasting Abrasives

Blasting abrasives are used in sandblasting or shot blasting processes to clean or prepare surfaces.

Common Types:

  • Aluminum oxide: For aggressive cleaning and etching
  • Glass bead: For smoother finishes without heavy material removal
  • Steel shot or grit: For heavy-duty surface prep in industrial applications

5. Abrasive Discs and Wheels

For handheld grinders and rotary tools, abrasive discs and wheels come in various materials and configurations to match the task.

Applications:

  • Cutting metal or masonry
  • Smoothing welds
  • Removing rust or corrosion

Tips for Choosing the Right Abrasive

  1. Match the abrasive to the material – Different abrasives are designed for metals, woods, plastics, or composites.
  2. Select the correct grit – Coarse for rapid removal, fine for smooth finishing.
  3. Consider speed and heat – High-speed grinding may require heat-resistant abrasives.
  4. Think about the finish – Some abrasives leave a rough texture, others a polished look.

Need Help Choosing the Right Abrasives?

At SC Fastening Systems, we carry a wide range of abrasives from trusted brands to meet the demands of every industry. Whether you need coated abrasives for woodworking, bonded wheels for metal grinding, or non-woven products for fine finishing, we can help you choose the right solution to get the job done right.

Contact SC Fastening Systems Today for Expert Abrasive Solutions