Product Details

• Tough, layered unitized construction operates clockwise or counterclockwise
• Resists loading and runs cool, extending the life of the wheel
• Perfect for very narrow widths and/or small diameters
• Higher densities retain conformability for finishing intricate shapes and contours
• Easy to run on smaller and portable equipment

SpecificationsAbrasive MaterialAluminum Oxide, Silicon CarbideAttachment TypeCenter HoleBrandXinsiluCenter Hole Diameter (Imperial)0.62 in, 0.70 in, 0.78 in, 1 in, Center Hole Diameter (Metric)16 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm, 25 mmProduct FormWheelDensity3P, 5P, 7P, 9P, 12P / U0,U1,U3,U5,U8Form TypeUnitizedGradeFineMax RPM7500,5500,4000,3500,Overall Diameter (Imperial) 4 in, 6 in, 8 in, 10 in, 12 inOverall Diameter (Metric)100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm, 300mmOverall Width (Imperial)0.5 in, 1 in, 2 in, 3 inOverall Width (Metric)12.7 mm, 25.4 mm, 50.8 mm, 76.2 mm, Product ColorMaroon

Non-Woven Polishing Wheel

This wheel is manufactured using a “web” of nylon fibers that are bonded together (not woven together – hence

 the name) with synthetic resins. The fibers are impregnated with abrasive grain, producing a cushioned, three-

dimensional material that is pliable, conformable to the workpiece, and long-lasting. Non-woven abrasives can 

be the ideal grinding products for deburring, cleaning, and imparting the desired finish to a wide variety of 

materials. A basic understanding of how these products are made, and how they should be selected and used 

to their maximum benefit, can help the metalworking manufacturer achieve the desired surface finish.

Why there?

The relatively non-aggressive nature of nylon and the abrasive grit used in non-wovens make them excellent 

finishing tools. With their open-mesh construction, non-wovens are waterproof, washable, and resilient. They 

resist loading and rusting, and are not conducive. In the standard non-woven design, the abrasive grain is 

uniformly dispersed throughout the nylon web, providing a continuous supply of new grain as the old grain 

and fibers wear away during use. While 60 grit to 80 grit abrasives is considered intermediate sizes in other 

products, they are considered coarse for non-woven products. Non-wovens can be used on a range of metals, 

including aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, chrome plate, stainless steel, and titanium, as well as other hard-to-

grind materials such as ceramics, glass, and plastic. Used wet or dry, non-wovens enable the user to achieve a 

consistent, uniform finish, and conformability to irregular surfaces, with minimal smearing and discoloration 

of the workpiece.

Components of Non-Woven Abrasives

 While non-wovens are made in a different way than conventional coated abrasives, both types of products use 

many of the same abrasive minerals. Silicon carbide is sharper, cuts faster, and produces finer scratch patterns 

on most surfaces. Aluminum oxide is more durable and tends to last longer. It is more aggressive on certain 

applications (such as hardened steel parts), and produces less discoloration on aluminum. When the non-woven 

supplier talks about grit, he is referring to the size of the abrasive grain impregnated into the nylon web. The lower 

the number, the larger the grains. The use of large particles (coarse grit) results in a more aggressive cut and a 

coarser finish. Small size particles result in a non-woven product that produces fine surface finish, if all other 

conditions are equal. In specifying a conventional bonded or coated abrasive product, the purchaser selects a 

specific grit size – say, 120 grit. With non-woven abrasives, by comparison, one of the following designations is used:

 

Grit Designation and Comparable Grit Ranges

Coarse (C) 50 – 80

Medium (M) 100 – 150

Fine (F) 180 – 220

Very Fine (VF) 240 – 360

Ultra Fine (UF) 600

Micro Fine (SF) 1000 – 1200

 

Another term used in the specification that is probably unfamiliar to the buyer of conventional abrasives is density. 

This refers to the number of bonding agents and the amount of abrasive grain that has been compressed into 

the non-woven product. In general, harder density products cut faster, last longer, and produce finer finishes 

than softer density products. However, softer densities offer more conformability to the work surface and 

less tendency to load or burn the workpiece. Two other factors in the design and manufacture of non-woven 

abrasives are the sizing of the nylon fibers and the bonding agents used. Fiber size has a significant effect 

on the product’s cutting characteristics, while the type of waterproof resin used to bond the fibers together 

(and to anchor the abrasive to the web) can alter the characteristics of the product. The non-woven 

manufacturer selects the appropriate fiber size and bonding agent based on the intended application for the

 product; therefore, these components are not included in the product offering specifications.

A typical specification on a non-woven abrasive product might look like this: 8 A/O MED. The first symbol – 

in this example, the “8” – refers to the product’s density. This can range from 2 (open/most conformable) to 

9 (densest/ most durable). The second symbol denotes the abrasive used. “A” or “A/O” refers to aluminum 

oxide, while “S” or “SC” stands for silicon carbide. The final designation – “MED” – denotes the grit size 

of the product, as outlined above.