Coated abrasive tools consist of a backing material, a bond material ("coat") and of abrasive grain. Fig. 1 shows the principle construction of a coated abrasive tool using cloth as a backing:

Fig. 1: Principle Construction of Coated Abrasives (cloth backing)

Basic properties of the abrasive tools as strength, flexibility and formability are determined by the selection of the backing, see Fig. 2. Fabrics are usually prepared by means of filling agents to provide the necessary strength, flexibility and adhesion capability to the make coat.

The bond system (Fig. 3) consists of the make coat and the size coat. During the production process, the make coat is first applied to the backing to ensure that the grain is fixed, while the size coat provides reliable support for the grain on the backing.

Active fillers may be applied on the size coat or may be embedded in the make coat or the size coat in order to enhance grinding efficiency, for example by reducing electrostatic charge, temperature during grinding or clogging tendency of the surface of abrasive tool.

The type of abrasive grain (see Fig. 4) mainly determines the characteristic cutting and wear behaviour of an abrasive tool. Grain characteristics closely interrelate with properties like hardness, toughness and macro- and micro-geometrical structure. Mostly used types of abrasive grain are fused or sintered alumina and silicon carbide, which are often adapted to the requirements of special applications by means of chemical and / or structural modification.

1. Coated Abrasive Rolls	2. Coated Abrasive Sheets
3. Coated Abrasive Discs	4. Coated Abrasives for hand-held grinding machines with or without holes for dust extraction
5. Vulcanised Fibre Discs	6. Narrow Abrasive Belt
7. Wide Abrasive Belt	8. Cylindrical Sleeves with Holding Fixtures
9. Flap Wheel with Flange	10. Flap Wheels with Shafts
11. Flap Discs