Saint-Gobain Abrasives has launched of a new line of longer-lasting high-performance Norton Bear-Tex aluminum oxide (AO) surface conditioning materials. The new “CB” (cloth backed) version of Norton AO Rapid Prep combines a premium aluminum oxide abrasive grain that is sharp yet extremely durable, on a non-woven nylon, bonded to a high-tensile, low-stretch polyester backing using Clean Bond resin technology to provide a smear-free finish.

The new products are specifically designed for use in belt forms where high-tensile machines and/or operating conditions require a belt with very low stretch properties. The long-lasting, high-performance non-woven materials are ideal for surface conditioning applications such as blending and deburring across industries ranging from aerospace, to metal fabrication and maintenance and repair operations (MRO).

"Our new surface conditioning material is the ideal addition to the Norton Bear-Tex portfolio of products,” says Paul Krupa, senior product anager, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, “This new product does what conventional SCM products cannot by combining our Clean Bond resin technology with a longer-lasting material. The result is an innovative product that offers superior results and leaves perfectly finished, smear-free surfaces.”

An aluminum oxide grain provides consistent material removal and cut rate, while the CB (cloth) low stretch backing reduces shedding and premature wear. Clean Bond resin technology ensures a finer and smear-free finish on any material. The new “CB” line of Norton AO Rapid Prep LS provides a low stretch product with improved performance in applications in which increased heat is generated during the blending and deburring process. The high-performance material compliments the existing portfolio of innovative Norton Rapid Prep surface conditioning products.

The “CB” line of Norton AO Rapid Prep is available in Coarse, Medium, Fine, and Very Fine grit sizes and in popular back stand, bench stand and portable belts sizes, including special sizes up to 52 inches wide. This new “CB” (cloth backed) line complements the “SB” (scrim backed) line of Rapid Prep AO belts already released for wide belts and pump sleeves.