July 27, 2021 - Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Worcester, Massacusetts, has introduced newly upgraded Norton BlueFire Abrasives including Belts, Cloth Quick-Change and Flap Discs, and Mini Flap Discs. Featuring a new, proprietary self-sharpening zirconia alumina grain shape and chemistry, and an upgraded resin bond for faster cut rates and durability, the new BlueFire R860 and R887D abrasive products provide exceptional performance on a wide range of materials in light to heavy-pressure applications. An improved, heavy-duty polyester backing is designed for long life and will withstand challenging applications. In addition to metal fabrication and welding, new Norton BlueFire abrasive products are well-suited for key industries such as foundry, aerospace, automotive, oil/gas, wind turbines and general metalworking.

“We are very pleased to offer our customers the enhanced Norton BlueFire abrasives in our Better Tier of products,” said Patrick Carroll, Sr. Product Manager for BlueFire R860, Norton | Saint-Gobain Abrasives. “Users have experienced over 50% performance improvement and faster cut rate in the newly upgraded Norton BlueFire Line compared with other zirconia alumina products.”

“For applications in stainless steel and other hard-to-grind materials, BlueFire 887D Discs and Belts offer long abrasives life due to a supersized grinding aid,” said John Benkoczy, Sr. Product Manager for BlueFire R887D, Norton | Saint-Gobain Abrasives. “Also, heavy grinding can be performed without worry of delamination, because the strong polyester quick-change disc backing stands up to extreme pressure.”

Norton BlueFire R860 Line

Norton BlueFire R860 Flap Discs are over graded, acting coarser for exceptionally faster, smooth metal removal. Easily trimmable, flexible plastic back discs are conformable and require less pressure at peak performance. R860 Flap Discs are especially well-suited for stock removal, weld blending, deburring/ deflashing, blending/ finishing and edge chamfering applications.

Norton BlueFire R860 Cloth Quick-Change Discs have an improved base adhesion which reduces grain shedding and minimizes loading on soft metals such as aluminum, brass and bronze, as well as stainless and carbon steels. Moderate grinding, beveling, blending and finishing are key applications for these new discs.

Norton BlueFire Mini Flap Discs are a perfect complement to the Norton Mini Grinder which answers the demand for smaller, ergonomically-friendly tools. Newly upgraded BlueFire Mini Flap Discs feature durable, Y-weight polyester flaps that improve life, grain retention and fray resistance. The new mini flap discs wear away evenly and produce an aggressive cutting action while providing blending capabilities. Key applications include stock removal, deburring/ deflashing, blending/ finishing, edge chamfering and weld blending.

Norton BlueFire R887D Line

Norton BlueFire R887D Belts feature a supersized grinding aid for cooler cuts and minimized loading, resulting in longer life on stainless steel and other harder-to-grind materials. Improved base adhesion reduces grain shedding, and is ideal for stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, tool steel and brass/ bronze materials.

Norton BlueFire R887D Cloth Quick-Change Discs have the same features and benefits of the R860 Cloth Quick-Change Discs, plus offer a supersized grinding aid for cooler cuts and minimized loading, which results in longer life on stainless steel and other harder-to-grind materials. In addition to metal fabrication and welding, R887 Cloth Quick-Change Discs are ideal for heavy grinding in challenging applications found in industries such as aerospace, wind turbines and oil/ gas.