Abstract: This disclosure, in general, relates to nonwoven abrasive belts including flexible butt joints and methods of making and using such belts and joints.

Abstract: An abrasive article including a substrate having an elongated body, a tacking layer overlying the substrate, a first type of abrasive particle overlying the tacking layer, a second type of abrasive particle different than the first type of abrasive particles overlying the tacking layer, and a bonding layer overlying at least a portion of one of the first type of abrasive particle and the second type of abrasive particle and the tacking layer.

Abstract: A sanding tool including a blade and a handle, the blade having first and second opposing faces. An attachment layer removably secures to the sanding tool at the opposing faces, thereby to provide opposing abrasive layers on opposing sides of the blade. The shape of the blade, with a wider yet thinner top end, and a reduced thickness from a bottom side thereof to a top edge thereof, reduces hand strain when sanding drywall, and also helps to assure uniform sanding and avoidance of hand injury when sanding corners, in a cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A polishing article with a plurality of polishing pads adapted to polish a substrate. Gimbal structures are attached to the polishing pads that permit the polishing pads to move independently along at least a pitch axis and a roll axis. Stems supported by preload flexures apply preloads through dimple structures to the polishing pads. A plurality of stand-offs provide fixed boundary conditions between the preload and the gimbal structures. Recesses allow for the preload flexures to move vertically.

Abstract: A pad for cleaning surfaces may include a low abrasive pad portion including a first flexible material to clean a surface of non-stick plastic coating, a high abrasive pad portion including a second flexible material to clean a surface other than non-stick plastic coating and an insert to be positioned between the low abrasive pad portion and the high abrasive pad portion.

Abstract: A coated abrasive product, comprising a first section and a second section, the first and the second sections being continuously joined together by a splice. The first section includes at least one first splice mark adjacent to the splice, wherein the first splice mark is a marking or a cluster of markings. A method of processing an article with such a coated abrasive product, and a method of acquiring information of such a coated abrasive product, respectively, includes detecting at least one characteristic of at least one first splice mark of the first section of the abrasive product, and comparing the detected characteristic to a database, wherein the detected characteristic of the first splice mark conveys approach of the splice and the end of the first section. The method of processing an article further includes providing a signal to skip the splice to thereby prevent the article being processed with splice area of the abrasive product.

Abstract: Abrasive articles comprising a reduction layer configured to reduce noise level when the abrasive articles are in use.

Abstract: Processing pads for mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization or polishing of substrates in the fabrication of microelectronic devices, methods for making the pads, and methods, apparatus, and systems that utilize and incorporate the processing pads are provided. The processing pads include grooves or other openings in the abrading surface containing a solid or partially solid fill material that can be selectively removed as desired to maintain the fill at an about constant or set distance from the abrading surface of the pad and an about constant depth of the pad openings for multiple processing and conditioning applications over the life of the pad.

Abstract: A polishing article with a plurality of polishing pads adapted to polish a substrate. Gimbal structures are attached to the polishing pads that permit the polishing pads to move independently along at least a pitch axis and a roll axis. Stems supported by preload flexures apply preloads through dimple structures to the polishing pads. A plurality of stand-offs provide fixed boundary conditions between the preload and the gimbal structures. Recesses allow for the preload flexures to move vertically.

Abstract: An abrasive belt (100) for surface polishing machines of the type having a flexible ring provided with a substantially inextensible internal layer (18) onto which an external abrasive layer (11) is fixed, wherein the external abrasive layer (11) is made up of a plurality of sectors (13) adjacent and at mutual contact, separated by transverse cuttings with respect to the longitudinal direction of the belt (100), the sectors (13) having a width (A) measured in the longitudinal direction of the belt (100) smaller than their height (H) measured in the transverse direction with respect to the surface of the belt (100) and being deformable under the polishing pressure.

Abstract: Mating systems and methods for joining coated abrasives. The mating system comprises mating portions positioned at coated abrasive end portions. Complimentary mating portions may be used to join coated abrasives without glue or mechanical attachment. The mating system of the present invention may be used to join a coated abrasive to itself, or to join multiple coated abrasives to each other.

Abstract: A coated abrasive product, comprising a first section and a second section, the first and the second sections being continuously joined together by a splice. The first section includes at least one first splice mark adjacent to the splice, wherein the first splice mark is a marking or a cluster of markings. A method of processing an article with such a coated abrasive product, and a method of acquiring information of such a coated abrasive product, respectively, includes detecting at least one characteristic of at least one first splice mark of the first section of the abrasive product, and comparing the detected characteristic to a database, wherein the detected characteristic of the first splice mark conveys approach of the splice and the end of the first section. The method of processing an article further includes providing a signal to skip the splice to thereby prevent the article being processed with splice area of the abrasive product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-layer polishing pad for chemical-mechanical polishing comprising a porous polishing layer and a porous bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer is substantially coextensive with the polishing layer, the polishing layer being joined to the bottom layer without the use of an adhesive; the polishing layer having an average surface roughness, Ra, that is greater than the Ra of the bottom layer.

Abstract: A structured abrasive article comprises a backing, a structured abrasive layer affixed to the backing, the structured abrasive layer comprising: a plurality of raised abrasive regions, each raised abrasive region consisting essentially of a close-packed plurality of pyramidal abrasive composites; and a network consisting essentially of close-packed truncated pyramidal abrasive composites, wherein the network continuously abuts and separates the raised abrasive regions from one another. The height of the pyramidal abrasive composites is greater than the height of the truncated pyramidal abrasive composites. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Mating systems and methods for joining coated abrasives. The mating system comprises mating portions positioned at coated abrasive end portions. Complimentary mating portions may be used to join coated abrasives without glue or mechanical attachment. The mating system of the present invention may be used to join a coated abrasive to itself, or to join multiple coated abrasives to each other.

Abstract: Endless abrasive belt useful for polishing or otherwise abrading surfaces.

Abstract: A flexible file system for providing abrasive files that can be used for wood or metal working that can be supplied in different sizes, stiffness and with different types of abrasive surfaces in different cross-sections. These flexible files can be attached to form a web that can be loaded into a dispenser either on a spindle or folded for easy dispensing of files as they are needed. The dispenser can have optional blades for separating the files as they are dispensed. Various methods can be used to attach the files into a web for easy dispensing and later separation including attach strips with cut or break points.

Abstract: An endless belt for a belt type polishing machine comprises a support fabric and a polymer layer of relatively low hardness. The polymer layer is formed with drainage grooves. The support fabric may comprise a non woven or woven material, or a membrane with oriented reinforcing yarns. A further version comprises a spiral-link fabric supporting a woven or non woven layer carrying the polymer layer. The polymer layer may be a double layer, the upper of which is either harder or softer than the lower layer.

Abstract: A polishing assembly for use in a linear chemical mechanical polishing apparatus and a method for forming such assembly are described. In the polishing assembly, a plurality of polishing pads are adhesively joined to a top surface of a continuous belt. Each of the plurality of polishing pads is provided with a leading edge which has a lower lip and a trailing edge which has an upper lip. The upper lip of the trailing edge of a first polishing pad covers the lower lip of the leading edge of a second polishing pad when the pads are adhesively bonded to the continuous belt such that the first pad leads the second pad in the direction of rotation for the continuous belt such that the upper lip protects the lower lip to prevent delamination of the pads. The tight seam made possible by the present invention novel tapered joint further prevents water absorption or penetration and therefore prolongs the lifetime of the polishing pads.

Abstract: A method of joining sections of polishing pad for use in the chemical mechanical planarization of a semiconductor wafer. Two sections of polishing pad are positioned so that they contact one another. The two sections are then welded together to create a robust joint. The joint is resistant to infiltration of slurry and is not susceptible to delamination that commonly occurs in a typical laminate joint.

Abstract: An abrasive pad removably attachable to a driven rotatable shaft and including a plurality of angularly offset abrasive members. Each abrasive member includes an outwardly facing surface having an abrasive disposed thereon. A first abrasive member is partially received within a loop formed by a second abrasive member. Likewise the second abrasive member is partially received within a loop formed by a third abrasive member. Finally, the third abrasive member is partially received within a loop formed by a fourth abrasive member. Each abrasive member is angularly offset from a radially adjacent abrasive member by approximately 45° with each abrasive member lying substantially in a single plane. Also disclosed is a method for forming such an abrasive pad.

Abstract: A wafer polisher and method for the chemical mechanical planarization of semiconductor wafers. The polisher includes a wafer holder for supporting the semiconductor wafer and a linear polishing assembly having a polishing member positioned to engage the surface of the wafer. The polishing member is movable in a linear direction relative to the wafer surface to uniformly polish the surface of the wafer. A pivotal alignment device may be used to pivotally support one of the wafer holder and the polishing member relative to the other of the wafer holder and the polishing member with the surface of the wafer and the polishing member retained in parallel alignment during operation of the polisher. The polisher optionally includes a conditioning station for conditioning the polishing member.

Abstract: The invention relates to grinding belts and polishing belts, which are particularly suitable for processing enclosed constructions, since they can be re-sealed by simple means and manner after severing to form a ring-shaped endless belt.

Abstract: A method of making a cutting blade using a fiber composite tape formed into a continuous closed loop. The tape is selected and prepared such that at least some of the fibers form an acute angle with the cutting edge.

Abstract: A splice having (a) a support comprising a polymeric film having a major surface; and (b) a fiber reinforcement comprising a plurality of monofilaments where the monofilaments have longitudinal axes extending in a parallel direction, one to another, across the major surface, and the monofilaments are bonded to the major surface of the support by a fiber adhesive, where the fiber adhesive is a moisture-cured polyurethane adhesive. The invention also relates to methods and products thereof for using the splice to form spliced flexible abrasive articles, including endless belt forms.

Abstract: The process which adds to the prior art steps of scraping, screening, and sanding the floor and applying a coat of a water-base sealer; the improvement steps of hand rubbing with fine sandpaper to remove all high spots and raised grain; subjecting the floor to the action of a rotating buffing pad having a diametric strip of sandpaper adhered thereto, followed by buffing with a rotating buffer pad unmodified with a strip of sandpaper; removing all dust by vacuuming and wiping with an aqueous dampened cloth; applying a coat of water-base finish; and repeating the above improvement steps with increasing fine sandpaper at least twice more to produce the final finished wood floor.

Abstract: A coated abrasive belt with an abrasive grain layer on one side of a flexible substrate. The substrate comprises a longitudinal strength layer (4, 5) and a transverse strength layer (6, 7). The edges of successive coated abrasive belt portions are adhesively bonded directly to one another by the use of a recess formed at least in the transverse strength layer. Adhesive bonding takes places one a connecting face (10) which runs approximately in the longitudinal direction and which reaches at least near to the longitudinal strength layer (4, 5). One of the two portions (2) carries the grain layer (14) on its longitudinal strength layer (4) and the other carries it on its transverse strength layer (7).

Abstract: A splice means having a support means comprising a polymeric film having a major surface; and (b) a fiber reinforcement means comprising a plurality of monofilaments where the monofilaments have longitudinal axes extending in a parallel direction, one to another, across the major surface, and the monofilaments are bonded to the major surface of the support means by a fiber adhesive, where the fiber adhesive is a moisture-cured polyurethane adhesive. The invention also relates to methods and products thereof for using the splice means to form spliced flexible abrasive articles, including endless belt forms.

Abstract: A coated abrasive backing consisting of an endless, seamless, loop is provided. The backing loop includes about 40-99% by weight of an organic polymeric binder, based upon the weight of the backing; and an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material. The endless, seamless backing loop includes a length with parallel side edges, and at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material such that there are regions of organic binder material free of fibrous reinforcing material on opposite surfaces of the layer of fibrous reinforcing material. The fibrous reinforcing material can be in the form of individual fibrous strands, a fibrous mat structure, or a combination of the these. A method for preparing the endless, seamless backing loop for a coated abrasive belt is also provided.

Abstract: A method for making a spirally wound endless coated abrasive belt comprising an abrasive layer bonded to a backing laminate material comprising a flexible support and a hot-melt adhesive layer.

Abstract: A flexible honeycomb panel containing wire or other abrasive material for abrading a workpiece, including a honeycomb core embedded with a quantity of abrasive material, and a facing sheet. The honeycomb core is formed of undulating strips of resilient thermoplastic material that are thermal compression bonded together to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. The abrasive material is contained within the strips. The facing sheet, formed of resilient thermoplastic material, is thermal compression bonded to a face of the core. The bonding is accomplished by simultaneously applying heat and pressure to the joinder of the facing sheet and the core. The opposite face of the core remains uncovered. In use, the uncovered face of the core is brought into rubbing contact with the workpiece.