Discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surfaces

Abstract

Discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surfaces are disclosed that may be employed in low speed wet grinding, sanding, and polishing operations. The discontinuous abrasive surfaces of the present invention may consist of abrasive containing protrusions attached to rigid or flexible surfaces or alternatively may be comprised of closed cell foam compositions impregnated with abrasive materials such as aluminum oxide. The voids present in the discontinuous abrasive surfaces of the present invention serve to hold water and remove debris. The resulting discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surfaces are long lasting and may be made low in cost.

1 . A discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations comprising:
 a rigid backing having a first major surface and a second major surface;   a plurality of abrasive particle releasing protrusions fixedly attached to said rigid backing to at least one said major surface; whereby said plurality of particle releasing protrusions are comprised of abrasive particles dispersed within a softer material matrix.   
   
   
       2 . A discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface is removably attached to a second surface. 
   
   
       3 . A discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface is a lapping surface. 
   
   
       4 . A discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of protrusions have a flat top surface geometry. 
   
   
       5 . A discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said soft matrix material is a polymer. 
   
   
       6 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for wet low speed sanding, grinding, and polishing operations comprising:
 a rigid polymeric closed cell foam substrate having at least one major surface;   said at least one major surface of said rigid polymeric closed cell foam substrate having exposed voids along with a plurality of abrasive particles dispersed within said foam; whereby said plurality of abrasive particles are continuously released in free form during said wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations.   
   
   
       7 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for wet low speed sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 6  wherein a handle is made entirely of the discontinuous abrasive foam material. 
   
   
       8 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations comprising:
 a flexible backing having a first major surface and a second major surface;   a plurality of protrusions fixedly attached to at least one of said major surfaces; whereby said plurality of protrusions are comprised of abrasive particles dispersed within a softer material matrix.   
   
   
       9 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the flexible backing is fabric. 
   
   
       10 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the fabric is formed into a glove. 
   
   
       11 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 8  wherein the soft material matrix is a polymer. 
   
   
       12 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 8  wherein the protrusions have a top surface containing a pattern of groves for holding water and removing debris and ridges for increasing the pressure at the start of wet sanding, grinding and polishing. 
   
   
       13 . A discontinuous abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive particle releasing protrusions are formed into a plurality of layers. 
   
   
       14 . A discontinuous hard abrasive particle releasing surface for low speed wet sanding, grinding, and polishing operations as recited in  claim 8  wherein said plurality of protrusions are formed into a plurality of layers.