The Norton 3X portable abrasive belt offers more durability over an uncoated abrasive while resisting chip loading. This belt is used for paint stripping, sanding and finishing on composites and fiberglass, and all-purpose bare wood sanding.

Coated abrasives have individual abrasive grains spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. This is a closed-coat belt. A closed coat covers 100 percent of the surface with abrasive grains, for more stiffness and better surface finish than an equivalent open coat, where abrasive grit covers 50 to 70 percent of the surface. The cloth backing is stiffer, tougher, and thicker than a paper backing. Cloth resists tearing while bending and flexing during use. This belt features a resin bond. Resin bonds have good moisture resistance, are harder and less flexible than glue bonds, and have good heat resistance and grain retention. Resin bonds are useful for abrasive operations with high operating speeds, impact, and sudden loading, as the resin bond is strong. This belt features a resin bond. Resin bonds have good moisture resistance, are harder and less flexible than glue bonds, and have good heat resistance and grain retention. Resin bonds are useful for abrasive operations with high operating speeds, impact, and sudden loading, as the resin bond is strong.

Coated abrasives have individual abrasive grains spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. An open coat covers about 50 to 70 percent of the coated surface with abrasive, for greater flexibility and resistance to clogging than a closed coat, which has 100 percent grain coverage. An open coat allows for longer usage time by clogging less, while a closed coat offers a finer surface finish than an equivalent open-coat abrasive. This belt is open-coat. The stearate coating offers more durability over an uncoated abrasive while resisting chip loading. Stearated abrasives are non-pigmented to eliminate color transfer to the work surface. These belts are typically used on portable belt sanders and portable file belt machines.

Zirconia alumina is a self-sharpening abrasive that allows for a faster cut rate and longer life than aluminum oxide, due to its ability to fracture and refracture, creating new cutting edges. Zirconia alumina is often used for high stock removal on wood and metals.

Abrasives are used for a variety of applications from shaping a part to fine finishing, depending on the grit size. Low grit numbers like 40 are coarse and are used for removing excess material and shaping a part. High grit numbers like 400 are fine and help to create a smooth surface finish. Abrasives, because they use many small cutting particles, provide more controlled material removal and better surface finish than cutting tools like end mills and saws, but do not operate as quickly.

Norton Abrasives manufactures a wide variety of sanding, grinding, and polishing abrasives, and has been located in the United States since 1885. In 1990, Saint-Gobain purchased Norton, keeping its manufacturing facilities and offices in the same location. Norton/Saint-Gobain has been recognized as a Global 100 Sustainable Company, as well as earning ISO 9000 and 14001 certification for quality and environmental management standards.