HOW DO NON WOVEN ABRASIVES WORK?

Non woven abrasives provide a controlled, sustained stock removal process. The "open weave" three-dimensional material construction provides a continuous supply of new grain when fiber and old grain wear away. The flexible "spring" design reduces the chance of undercutting or gouging a work product. Nonwoven abrasives can be divided into two categories:

1. Clean and Finish - Nonwoven clean and finish products are generally hand-operated. They are not as strong in nature as surface conditioning products because less grain, fiber and resin are used in their production. Clean and finish products include flap wheels, hand pads, sheets and rolls.
2. Surface Conditioning - Surface conditioning products are generally used near the end of the manufacturing process. Surface conditioning refers to the ability to change a product's surface, without removing or damaging the base material. These products are used in mechanical operations and include discs and belts. See our quick change surface conditioning discs.

How to Use Surface Conditioning Disc to Blend Surface Scratches on Stainless Steel 

This video shows the fine maroon hook and loop surface conditioning disc 33416 being used on stainless steel to blend surface scratches in order to achieve a uniform finish.

Use Surface Conditioning Disc for Blending Surface Scratches on Stainless Steel

Abrasives-Sandpaper topic today is the use of surface conditioning discs and nylon hand pads to blend surface scratches on metal. We have outlined hand and machine processes and the abrasive products, power tools and abrasives commonly used in the blending of surface scratches. 

Abrasives-Sandpaper blog is on location in a metal fabricating shop - blending surface scratches to create a uniform finish on stainless steel. To start – this is a Metabo W8-115 angle grinder with a rubber back up pad 00059 and disc nut 00079 with the fine maroon hook and loop surface conditioning disc 33416.  Hand finishing follows with the fine maroon hand pad 30059. 

For deeper scratches several grits of nylon hand pads may be used in a step down process following the power tool blending with the surface-conditioning disc. This process can include the coarse tan hand pad 30080 then the medium gray hand pad 30074 and finally the fine maroon hand pad 30059. 

View our line of hand pads and surface conditioning discs for the industrial abrasive products to best meet your specifications.

Click here – 6 x 9 hand pads – surface conditioning discs – to view the full product line.

Surface Conditioning Discs

Stainless steel is a ferrous metal.  Mechanically polished and brushed finishes are achieved with the use of abrasive materials.  A wide range of finishes can be achieved depending upon the original grade of stainless steel as well as the type and texture of abrasive belts or abrasive discs used and the nature of the polishing technique.   Stainless steel finishes range from a mirrored finish to a #4 brushed stainless finish to a satin finish.  The most common finish used by appliance manufacturers is the #4 brushed stainless finish. Light surfaces scratches can be repaired to create a uniform finish on a brushed stainless steel appliance. Maroon and grey non-metallic hand pads can be used. You will want to use a block to create a uniform finish. Using your hand can cause streaking from the varied pressure of your fingers. It is very important to follow the direction of the grain in long even strokes in one direction only. If you “turn” at the ends you will create swirls.

These methods cannot be used on polished or mirror finished stainless steel or on stainless steel with a clearcoat finish also known as “smudge free”-“satina” or other names.

Remember – Always follow the grain on metals and know the surface you are working with!

For additional technical information or information on surface conditioning abrasive products, visit our website at aaabrasives.com or

Call 800-888-1802 to speak to an abrasives specialist at AA Abrasives.