Abstract: A resilient hand-held abrasive article suitable, for example, for woodworking, includes a plurality of separated raised abrasive surfaces to allow the article to more effectively conform to a contoured surface. A method of making such an abrasive article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A resilient flexible sanding sponge including a foam backing layer having a layer of abrasive particles distributed along one of its major surfaces that are adhered together and to the backing layer by a layer of flexible adhesive material. That backing layer has about the same flexibility and conformability as the backing layers on prior art sanding sponges, while having a significantly higher tear strength than prior art sanding sponges. That high tear strength backing layer can either be (1) a layer of felted urethane foam; or (2) a layer of foam that encompasses a reinforcing material.

Abstract: A resilient abrasive article includes a resilient elongatable substrate, abrasive particles adhesively bonded to the substrate with a flexible make coat, and a hard size coat applied over the abrasive particles and flexible make coat. The size coat provides an anti-loading layer which is applied thinly enough to prevent the size coat from cracking and tearing the substrate during use.

Abstract: A resilient abrasive article includes a resilient elongatable substrate, abrasive particles adhesively bonded to the substrate with a flexible make coat, and a hard size coat applied over the abrasive particles and flexible make coat. The size coat provides an anti-loading layer which is applied thinly enough to prevent the size coat from cracking and tearing the substrate during use.

Abstract: Abrasive articles and a method for the manufacture of such articles are described. The articles comprise a lofty nonwoven web of fibers, the fibers defining a first major web surface, a second major web surface and a middle web portion extending between the first and second major web surfaces; and a plurality of abrasive particles adhered to the surfaces of the fibers of at least one of the first or second major web surfaces and distributed along the lengths of the fibers in a substantially uniform manner, the particles comprising a distribution of particle sizes having a median particle diameter of about 60 microns or less.

Abstract: A method for making a nonwoven a abrasive article. A preferred aspect of the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a nonwoven web having a first side and a second side, the web comprising a plurality of fibers; b) frothing a liquid make coat precursor; c) applying the frothed make coat precursor to at least the first side of the web in such a manner so as to achieve a substantially uniform coating of the make coat precursor along the fibers of the web; d) spraying a plurality of fine abrasive particles onto the first side of the web, wherein the particles are sprayed so as to form a cloud of abrasive particles that deposit onto the fibers of the web in a substantially uniform distribution; and e) curing the make coat precursor to thereby form a hardened make coat which adheres the abrasive particles to the web and wherein the abrasive particles substantially protrude from the outer surface of the hardened make coat.

Abstract: Abrasive foam articles and a method of manufacture of such articles are described. The articles of the invention comprise a flexible and resilient foam substrate having first and second major substrate surfaces, at least one of the surfaces having a plurality of open cells substantially across the substrate surface, the open cells having coatable surfaces defined by interconnected voids; and a plurality of abrasive particles adhered to said coatable surfaces of said open cells in a substantially uniform manner.