Saint-Gobain Abrasives, the world’s largest abrasives manufacturer and leader in metal fabrication abrasive products for over 125 years, has launched Norton Vortex® Rapid Prep Belts that are ideal for Aerospace, Metal and Stainless Fabrication, and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) applications. The proprietary agglomerate grain of Vortex Rapid Prep increases belt life up to three times that of Aluminum Oxide grain and reduces two to five grit sequences in blending operations, substantially reducing labor and material costs. In addition, Norton Vortex Rapid Prep incorporates the Norton | Saint-Gobain proprietary Clean Bond™ resin technology for exceptionally smooth, smear-free finishes, eliminating rework process steps and improving productivity.

The patented Vortex agglomerated aluminum oxide grain delivers a 10% faster cut rate on aluminum, and a 20% faster cut rate on titanium and stainless steel, with a 50% or more improved process time by reducing multiple grinding steps. The combination of cutting power of a coarser grit, with the finishing quality of a finer grit, minimizes edge wear, providing up to two times the life on all substrates.

Norton Vortex Rapid Prep belts are the Saint Gobain Abrasives' better choice for surfacing conditioning applications where efficiency and productivity are paramount.

Belts are available in Low Flex (LF) and Regular Flex (RF). LF is a premium, high-lift nylon fiber bonded to a strong nylon scrim backing that provides a denser layer of resin bond and grain to extend product life up to three times that of competitive aluminum oxide products. LF is the highest density and stiffest design in sizes that include 2" x 18 15/16", 2 3/4" x 15 1/2", 3" x 10 11/16" and 3 1/2" x 15 1/2".

RF is a low stretch design with a premium durable nylon fiber bonded to a strong Y-weight polyester backing, which provides extremely low stretch durability on portable, bench stand and back stand belt operations. RF availability in portable includes 3" x 18", 3" x 21", 3" x 24" and 4" x 24"; bench stand sizes in 1" x 30", 1" x 42", 1" x 60", 1" x 64", 1 1/2" x 60", 2" x 34", 2" x 48", 2" x 60", 2 1/2" x 60", 4" x 36" and 6" x 48". Back stand sizes include 1" x 72", 1" x 132", 2" x 72", 2" x 132", 3" x 72", 3" x 80", 3" x 90", 3" x 118", 3" x 132", 4" x 132" and 4" x 168". All Norton Vortex Rapid Prep LF and RF abrasives are available in Coarse, Medium, Fine and Very Fine girt sizes.