Material-Specific Abrasives

Abrasive Solutions Matched to Every Material

Not all materials behave the same. We develop and manufacture abrasive systems tailored to the specific cutting, loading, and surface requirements of metal, wood, coatings, composites, plastics, and construction materials.

From abrasive jumbo rolls to converted sanding discs and belts, we ensure material-appropriate performance, batch-to-batch consistency, and predictable results—not one-for-all solutions.

Explore by Material

Materials We Support

Different materials respond differently to abrasive cutting. To ensure stable performance and predictable surface results, we classify supported materials by application behavior, not just by name.

Metal & Alloy Materials

Designed for cutting efficiency, heat control, and surface consistency on both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Typical materials include:

  • Aluminium & Aluminium Alloys
  • Carbon Steel / Ferrous Metals
  • Stainless Steel
  • Non-ferrous Metals

Common applications:

  • Stock removal and deburring
  • Surface preparation before coating
  • Intermediate and final finishing

Beyond Standard Materials

Some applications require special abrasive structures or process-specific solutions, such as:

Soft metals with high loading risk
Heat-sensitive coatings
High-dust composite environments

For these cases, abrasive selection is based on material behavior, process conditions, and performance expectations — rather than generic material categories.

Material × Abrasive Recommendation Matrix

Selecting the right abrasive is not only about grit size. Material behavior, surface condition, and process stage all influence abrasive performance.

The matrix below shows typical material-to-abrasive matching principles based on common industrial applications.

Recommended Abrasive System by Material

Material Typical Application Recommended Abrasive Type Key Considerations
Metal & Alloy Materials
Aluminium / Aluminium Alloy Grinding & finishing Paper discs / Film discs Anti-loading, heat control
Carbon Steel / Ferrous Metal Stock removal / surface prep Cloth belts Cutting stability, durability
Stainless Steel Finishing Cloth belts / Film discs Uniform scratch pattern
Wood & Wood-Based Materials
Hardwood Surface preparation Open-coat paper discs / Cloth belts Grain control, reduced clogging
MDF / Particle Board Pre-paint sanding Paper discs Consistent surface leveling
Coatings & Surface Layers
Automotive Paint & Clear Coat Refinishing Film discs / Mesh abrasives Controlled scratch, low clogging
Old Paint / Old Lacquer Removal & leveling Paper discs / Film discs Coating softness varies
Primer / Filler Surface leveling Film discs Tear resistance, flat sanding
Composites & Plastics
Fiberglass / GRP Composite sanding Mesh abrasives Dust extraction, fiber protection
Polyester / Gelcoat Finishing Film discs / Mesh abrasives Heat sensitivity
Acrylic / Engineering Plastics Surface correction Film discs Low pressure recommended
Construction & Mineral Materials
Concrete Surface preparation Heavy-duty paper / Cloth-backed abrasives Abrasive wear resistance
Plaster / Plasterboard Leveling Paper discs Soft material control
Stone / Marble Finishing Silicon Carbide Coated Abrasives Surface consistency

* Final selection may vary depending on machine type, pressure, and process conditions.

← Swipe to see full table →

How to Read This Matrix

This matrix reflects application-driven selection logic, not product marketing categories.

Material

Base material or surface layer being sanded

Typical Application

Most common processing stage

Recommended Abrasive

Proven abrasive structure for stable results

Key Considerations

Critical factors affecting performance and lifespan

Important Notes

  • One material may require different abrasive systems at different stages
  • Improper matching may lead to: Premature loading · Excessive heat · Inconsistent surface finish
  • For critical applications or high-volume use, material-specific testing is recommended

Typical Challenges by Material

Loading, heat generation, dust, surface damage, and inconsistent finish are not product issues — they are material-driven challenges.

Our abrasive systems are developed by starting from these challenges, not from generic specifications.

Aluminium sanding process

Aluminium & Soft Metals

Challenges

  • • Abrasive loading and clogging
  • • Excessive heat build-up
  • • Rapid loss of cutting efficiency

Our Approach

  • • Stearated coatings to reduce adhesion
  • • Optimized grain spacing for heat control
  • • Backing matched to pressure & machine

Result: Cleaner cutting, longer life, stable performance.

Automotive paint sanding

Paints, Clear Coats & Fillers

Challenges

  • • Uneven scratch patterns
  • • Rapid clogging on soft coatings
  • • Surface tearing with unsuitable backings

Our Approach

  • • Film backings for controlled sanding
  • • Consistent grain distribution
  • • Reduced coating build-up

Result: Predictable finish, reduced rework risk.

Fiberglass composite sanding

Composites & Fiberglass (GRP)

Challenges

  • • High dust generation
  • • Fiber tearing and surface damage
  • • Operator fatigue during large-area work

Our Approach

  • • Mesh structures for dust extraction
  • • Low-pressure cutting behavior
  • • Stable performance across surface

Result: Cleaner environment, smoother surfaces.

Wood surface sanding

Wood & Wood-Based Materials

Challenges

  • • Grain raising and uneven appearance
  • • Clogging on resin-rich panels
  • • Inconsistent finish between stages

Our Approach

  • • Open-coat abrasive structures
  • • Controlled cutting aggressiveness
  • • Flexible backings for surface profile

Result: Uniform surfaces ready for finishing.

Concrete surface preparation

Construction & Mineral Materials

Challenges

  • • Rapid abrasive wear on hard surfaces
  • • Inconsistent material removal
  • • High load on abrasive backing

Our Approach

  • • Durable backing materials
  • • Extended service life design
  • • Stable cutting under high pressure

Result: Reliable performance on demanding surfaces.

Facing a Specific Challenge?

Every material behaves differently. Let's discuss your application and find the right abrasive solution.

Need Help with a Specific Material or Application?

If your application involves:

Special coatings
Heat-sensitive materials
High dust environments
Demanding surface finish requirements

Our technical team can recommend a material-specific abrasive solution based on your process conditions.

Technical Support

Get expert recommendations based on your material, machine type, and surface requirements.

  • Free material assessment
  • Sample testing available
  • Response within 24 hours
500+
Applications Solved
18+
Years Experience

Quality Assurance

Consistency & Suitability Assurance

Stable abrasive performance is not achieved by inspection alone. It is the result of controlled manufacturing processes, repeatable material systems, and application-based validation.

Abrasive jumbo roll manufacturing
1

Controlled Abrasive Jumbo Roll Manufacturing

Consistency starts at the jumbo roll level. By manufacturing our own abrasive jumbo rolls, we control critical factors such as grain distribution, backing selection, and coating behavior before conversion even begins.

This upstream control allows abrasive performance to be designed into the product, rather than corrected after defects appear.

In-House Conversion for Structural Integrity

All sanding discs and belts are converted in-house under controlled processes. Cutting accuracy, hole patterns, backing integrity, and bonding strength are maintained consistently across production runs.

By keeping conversion internal, we avoid variability introduced by external processing and ensure that each finished product reflects the original material design intent.

In-house disc conversion process
2
Application-based performance testing
3

Application-Based Performance Validation

Laboratory specifications alone do not represent real sanding conditions. Our abrasive systems are validated through material-specific and application-driven testing.

Cutting behavior Loading tendency Surface finish Service life

Batch Repeatability & Long-Term Supply Stability

Every production batch follows defined process parameters to ensure repeatable performance. This enables stable abrasive behavior not only within a single order, but across multiple shipments and extended supply periods.

For our partners, this means fewer complaints, predictable results, and confidence in long-term cooperation.

Batch repeatability and quality control
4

OEM & Private Label

OEM / Private Label & Custom Matching

Building your own abrasive brand is more than putting a logo on a product. It requires stable performance, clear product positioning, and a supplier who understands how different materials and applications behave over time.

We support OEM and private label partners by working from application needs and market expectations, not from fixed, generic product templates.

Abrasive performance testing

Defined Performance, Not Guesswork

Different markets expect different performance balances — cutting speed, surface finish, lifespan, or cost control.

  • Market-specific performance balancing
  • Based on actual customer use
  • Consistent and repeatable results
Product series development

Series-Based Product Development

Successful private labels are built on product series, not single items. We support structured product ranges.

  • Built on product series, not single items
  • Structured grit progressions & backing types
  • Coherent and scalable lineup
Stable factory supply chain

Stable Supply for Long-Term Cooperation

Our goal is to be a manufacturing partner you can plan around, not just a vendor you reorder from.

  • In-house jumbo roll & conversion control
  • Batch-to-batch consistency guaranteed
  • Long-term availability, not one-off runs
Business partnership meeting

100+

OEM Partners

Partnership Criteria

Is This the Right Fit?

Our OEM and private label solutions are best suited for partners who:

  • Value consistency and long-term cooperation

    Not just one-off orders, but sustainable partnership

  • Aim to build or strengthen their own brand

    We help you create a competitive product lineup

  • Need material-specific performance expertise

    Technical support from application to production

Note: If you are looking for short-term pricing only, this may not be the right match — and that's perfectly fine. We focus on partners who value quality and consistency.

Application Support

Not Sure Which Abrasive Fits Your Material?

Different materials, equipment, and process conditions require different abrasive solutions. We can help match the right product to your actual application.

Let's Match the Right Abrasive to Your Application

You don't need to be an abrasive expert. Just share your application details — our technical team will help identify the right solution.

What You Can Tell Us

  • Material or surface type you're working on
  • Application stage (grinding / finishing)
  • Machine or sanding method used
  • Performance priority (finish / life / cost)
  • OEM / private label considerations (if any)

Who We Work With

Distributors, converters, OEM brands, and industrial users across different markets.

Online Inquiry

Discuss Your Application

Share your application details — our team will help clarify the rest.

Have specifications or samples to match? Reply to our confirmation email with details attached, or send directly to nicola@novosand.com

No Obligation
Technical Review
24h Response

Request Quotation

Get pricing within 24 hours

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy