Working on any substrate, abrasives can easily become clogged with the material being removed, including metal and wood dust or paint and other coatings. Clogged abrasives interfere with performance and can cause damage to a workpiece. A worldwide leader in abrasives, Norton | Saint-Gobain has developed specific technologies to prevent loading so you can get the finish you want.

This article will explore Norton’s two most effective anti-loading technologies:

1. No-Fil® Technology – a custom-formulated stearate that repels debris away from the abrasive grain to keep it working as it should

2. Multi-Air Cyclonic® Design – a physical product construction that incorporates a patented pattern of holes to filter out grinding swarf

Custom Stearate Coating Helps in Any Application

Norton uses a proprietary stearate coating called No-Fil that is manufactured in-house and applied to Norton paper-backed abrasive products. Controlling the entire production process ensures the highest quality standards are met with every run. So, no matter where in the world you purchase or use your Norton abrasive, you will get the same high level of performance you need. Plus, their uniquely formulated stearate is environmentally friendly in both how it is produced and how it can be discarded after use. All the components are biodegradable, assuring the most sustainability available in the market.

Just how does this stearate help you?

A stearate coating on an abrasive works as a lubricant, reducing friction and preventing clogging or loading on the abrasive surface. This keeps the abrasive working more effectively over longer work periods and helps to protect the surface of the workpiece. The technology is crucial in such applications as metalworking, automotive/transportation finishing, and woodworking. Norton’s No-Fil technology is available on paper, mesh, or film backings to give you the greatest flexibility in finding the right product for your needs. One of the most common ways that Norton coated abrasive paper products are used is by attaching their discs on an orbital sander. Most of these sanders have basic, built-in dust extraction or can be attached to a vacuum that pulls debris into an attached bag. This not only keeps debris away from the workpiece surface, it also prevents the operator from inhaling the dust and ground particles.

However, you still need to pull dust from between the disc and the workpiece.

Patented Design Prevents Loading 

In addition, Norton's team has designed and engineered the Multi-Air Cyclonic anti-clogging design. Discs are laser-cut with specifically shaped perforations that filter the dust away from the surface and into the vacuum system. The perforations are cut in a unique, patented pattern engineered to provide the maximum abrasive performance. Unlike a die-punched hole which causes hole deformation where dust can collect and thus reduce cutting action and the ability to extract dust, Norton's precision laser-cut holes have clean edges that don’t fray or diminish the performance of the abrasive. Plus, by not stamping or punching the holes, the process minimizes the removal of excess abrasive, ensuring that the optimal amount of abrasive is retained for your project. This means Multi-Air Cyclonic products allow the most abrasive, the longest life, and the best finish results.

Performance You Can Trust

Norton anti-loading technologies are specifically designed to help you achieve the finish and performance your projects demand. But don’t take their word for it. Norton | Saint-Gobain has grown into the global leader in the abrasives market because customers just like you in markets from automotive and aerospace to manufacturing and do-it-yourself believe in the reliability and quality of their abrasives. 

Previously Featured on Norton Abrasives' Resources page.