The answer depends on how much pressure is being used and even then, the recommendations need to be considered only as a “general guideline”:
Sanded Material |
Best |
Better |
Good |
Carbon Steel & Cast Iron |
|
|
|
Moderate to Heavy Pressure |
Ceramic Plus |
Zirc Plus / Zirc |
AO |
Light Pressure |
Zirc PC |
AO |
|
Stainless Steel & Exotic Metal |
|
|
|
Moderate to Heavy Pressure |
Ceramic Plus |
Zirc Plus |
AO |
Light Pressure |
Zirc PC |
AO Plus |
AO |
Aluminum** |
|
|
|
Moderate to Heavy Pressure |
Ceramic Plus |
Zirc Plus |
AO |
Light Pressure |
AO Plus |
AO |
SC |
Non-Ferrous (Titanium, Copper, Brass) |
|
|
|
Moderate to Heavy Pressure |
Ceramic Plus |
Zirc Plus / Zirc |
AO |
Light Pressure |
AO Plus |
AO |
SC |
Wood |
|
|
|
Pressure does not affect performance |
Ceramic OC |
AO Open Coat |
AO |
** Due to the inherent clogging involved when sanding most Aluminum, we recommend either using products with Grinding Aids or using a Grease Stick to lubricate the abrasive to help prevent loading.
Legend: |
|
Ceramic Plus: |
Ceramic Alumina with a grinding aid on a heavy Y-wt. polyester backing |
Ceramic OC: |
Ceramic Alumina Open Coat on a heavy duty backing |
Zirc Plus: |
Zirconia Alumina with a grind aid on a heavy Y-wt. polyester backing |
Zirc: |
Zirconia Alumina on a heavy Y-wt. polyester backing |
Zirc PC: |
Zirconia Alumina on a X-wt poly/cotton backing |
AO Plus: |
Aluminum Oxide with a grinding aid (available on Y-wt. or J-Flex backing) |
AO: |
Aluminum Oxide (available on Y, X or J-wt. backing) |
SC: |
Silicon Carbide on a heavy Y-wt. polyester backing |