Sandpaper: types, marking, application

For abrasive and rough surface treatment, sandpaper is often used. Types of material have separate technical characteristics, different granularity, types of used abrasive.

What is the material?

Elastic abrasive on paper or fabric basis, the working surface of which is covered with a granular powder layer, is sandpaper. Types of this material are used in the processing of wood, metal, plastic, glass, and other common materials.

History of development

According to documented information, for the first time sandpaper was used by Chinese masters in the XIII century. Grinding skins were produced by fixing a mixture of sand, crushed plant seeds and shells with starch glue on a coarse leather base. Often as an abrasive for rough processing, small particles of broken glass were used.

The first serial production of sandpaper was carried out in 1833, when a patent for the production of new products was issued to American entrepreneur Isaac Fischer from Springfield, Vermont.

In parallel to the development of technology, sandpaper was also improved. From the beginning of the twentieth century in Europe, active development was carried out, during which the quality of individual abrasive materials was investigated . Subsequently, the results of the work served as the basis for the invention of a moisture-resistant grinding skins. This type of sandpaper has made a small revolution in the automotive industry. In particular, with its help, the opportunity was opened for quick and thorough finishing of parts.

Application Features

When treating surfaces with abrasive paper, some rules should be followed. In the course of repairing defects, it is first rational to resort to using the coarsest skins. Large grain size is suitable for roughing wood, removing obsolete paintwork, rust layer.

Fine abrasive paper is used in the final grinding, polishing of metallic, painted surfaces. For stripping plastic, the ideal option is a skin with a minimum grain size.

Today the masters also have waterproof sandpaper, the use of which avoids the occurrence of an abundance of dust in the course of the work. Thanks to wet grinding, the surfaces to be treated have the most smooth, extremely attractive texture.

Characteristics

Among the defining technical characteristics of abrasive skins, the following are distinguished:

• Base material.
• Grain indexes.
• The nature of the production bases that are used as grains.

Sandpaper - Types

Grinding skins are divided into separate varieties, especially according to the base on which the abrasive is applied. The most common is paper-based products. This solution is particularly cheap and worthy of resistance to wear. Most of the products of this plan are water-repellent, and also provide an opportunity to apply the smallest grains.

Sandpaper on the fabric base has high wear resistance. Thanks to the use of specialized resins, it is possible to impart moisture-proof qualities to it. In addition, the fabric backing makes the material extremely elastic.

Considering the question of what kind of sandpaper is (types of material), it is necessary to note the combined products. Such grinding skins are distinguished by advantages characteristic of both of the above options. Hence the high price of such products. With regard to use, combined abrasives are able to withstand increased mechanical stress.

Grain

According to the indicators of granularity, the following variants of sandpaper are distinguished:

1. Coarse-grained - used for basic roughing of materials, removal of impurities, paint, corrosion effects. Grinding with the use of abrasives of this category leaves deep enough, scratching scratches on the surfaces.
2. Medium-grained - used when it is necessary to perform intermediate processing of materials. Grinding of flexible surfaces with such paper, for example, natural wood, allows to level and flatten the planes.
3. Fine-grained - is an ideal tool for preparing materials for processing paints and varnishes. Such a skin will easily remove minor scratches and minor defects from the surfaces.

Type of abrasive

As the abrasives in the manufacture of sandpaper, the following bases are used:

1. Garnet - is a material of natural origin, which is the optimal solution for finishing natural wood.
2. Silicon carbide is the most durable abrasive. Skins with sputtering from such grains are an indispensable tool for working on metal, plastic. Carbide abrasive is suitable for stripping painted surfaces, grinding fiberglass.
3. Ceramics - skins with such a coating are used at the stage of forming the basic texture of wood, as well as when eliminating the pronounced defects. In other words, such an abrasive paper is used when performing rough work. Most often, the products of this plan can be found in the form of looped grinding bands, which are used for machining surfaces.
4. Aluminum oxide is characterized by a particularly fragile structure. When creating friction with surfaces, the abrasive forms new sharp edges. Therefore, skins of this kind have a truly impressive lifespan. Such sandpaper is used mainly in joinery and woodworking industry.

additional information

In addition to granularity, the following additional information may be indicated on the sandpaper package:

• Purpose - for the treatment of metal surfaces or more pliable materials of low hardness.
• The parameters of the canvas are the length and width.
• The composition of the abrasive and its fraction.
• The nature of the adhesive base used to fix the abrasive (synthetics, amber varnish, formaldehyde resin, combined binder).
• The level of durability of the product.

Sandpaper - price

How much does an abrasive skin on the domestic market cost? The price of fine-grained products on paper basis starts from about 30 rubles per running meter. The cost of a more durable abrasive cloth on the fabric backing is from 150-200 rubles per running meter and varies depending on the fraction and type of abrasive used.

Finally

In comparison with other grinding means, in particular metal brushes, grinders, sandpaper acts really cheap, accessible to the widest consumer audience. Today, the abrasive skin is produced in the form of strips, circles, sheets, ribbons. All this contributes to its operation in a wide range of activities, manual work and the use of power tools.