A guide to choosing the right sanding pads

A sanding pad or a sanding disc consists of abrasive grain particles that are embedded on various type of backing materials like non-woven or woven cloth material, fibre, film or paper. The factors for choosing abrasive pads vary widely based on the abrasive material as well as on the purpose or application of the sanding pad. This article provides a guide to choosing the right sanding pads.

Abrasive material

Abrasive pads are widely used for sanding, cleaning, polishing and grinding (dry or wet). They are either used to prepare surfaces for further work or to give a finish to different types of surfaces such as ceramics, paint, metal, glass or plastic. Industrial abrasive pads are mainly used in metalworking, woodworking, ceramic product manufacturing and in semi-conductor fields. Grit size Grit size refers to the number of abrasive grains per inch of the sanding pad. Finely graded high-quality grits are used to prepare surfaces with a smooth finish. Industrial grade abrasive pads do not wear off easily. While aluminum oxide grains are used on ceramic surfaces, super-abrasive materials are used for grinding surfaces. Other abrasive grain types include tungsten carbide, silicon carbide and alumina zirconia. Backing material The backing material may be made of low-grade fabric or craft paper. Higher grade materials include polyesters and fine cottons. Bonding agent
The glue that attaches the abrasive grains to the backing material should be strong enough to prevent easy wear and tear. Phenolic resin is commonly used for industrial grade sandpaper while a low grade sanding pad uses hide glue that does not function well in extreme heat or moisture conditions.

Purpose or application of a sanding pad

The type of sanding pad chosen varies depending on the purpose or application for which it is used. For example, safe and easy-to-use velcro pads are popularly used for domestic purposes. Similarly, abrasive cleaning pads are used for various commercial as well as domestic purposes. Scotch brite pads
Scouring scotch brite pads are effective to remove grease, grime, dirt and stains from surfaces. However, sanding sponges are suitable for delicate or scratch-free surfaces. Sanding disc A sanding disc is suitable for wooden or plastic surfaces. It helps to remove waste and help to prepare the surface for further work like painting.

In conclusion

Any type of sanding pad gets worn out over time and needs to be replaced regularly for effective cleaning. Depending on the purpose and frequency of use, you can choose different grades of cleaning pads for various surfaces.