The Norton 3X hook and loop abrasive disc can be used with 5- or 8-hole vacuum sanders, due to its universal hole design. NorGrip hook and loop fastener is easy to press on and tear off, and makes disc changes fast. This disc 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 disc. 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 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. High strength, fiber-reinforced B weight (paper is classified from A to F weight, F being the heaviest and least flexible) is strong, reducing edge wear during use. This disc is suitable for use with a die grinder or orbital sander. Use with molded-rubber back-up pads on a grinder. Use a hard pad for aggressive cutting, a medium pad for general-purpose applications, or a soft pad for contours and fine finishing work. Or, with a random orbital sander, use a foam back-up pad to match the application. Foam pads can come in different combinations of shape and density for finer or more aggressive work. For example, use a low profile for uniform contact with the work surface, a tapered edge for small contours or inside corners, soft density for 320 grit and finer sanding, or medium density for grits coarser than 320.

Aluminum oxide is a widely used and versatile abrasive material. It is a tough, fracture- and wear-resistant grit that works well with a broad range of materials, from metals to wood. Aluminum oxide is more durable than silicon carbide and often used for material removal and finishing. P-graded abrasive grains are held to a closer tolerance than non-P-graded abrasives, which means that they offer a more consistent surface finish.

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.

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.