Norton Abrasives Introduces RapidPrep , Expanding "Rapid" Line of High Performance Non-Woven Products.

WORCESTER, MA, October 07, 2012 (Press-News.org) Norton Abrasives, the world leader in abrasives for over 125 years, has introduced the Norton RapidPrep line of non-woven discs, belts and wheels for the metal fabricating industry. RapidPrep features a new non-woven substrate with an improved resin bond system designed to eliminate smearing and loading, two common problems in most surface conditioning applications, as well as providing improved edge wear. The Norton RapidPrep line is available with an innovative, high-performance, engineered Norton Vortex grain technology and premium aluminum oxide grain. (http://www.nortonabrasives.com/)

Norton Vortex RapidPrep products contain an engineered aggregate grain which is a composite of smaller grains combined into a larger grain particle to provide excellent cutting and life, along with a superb finish. Norton Vortex RapidPrep is the "better" choice for blending, cleaning, and light flash removal on all types of metal parts, providing two to three times more life compared to standard aluminum oxide discs. A higher cut rate also reduces cycle times by up to 50%.


"Norton RapidPrep further expands the previous non-woven releases of Norton Blaze RapidStrip and Norton Vortex RapidBlend to provide the metal fabrication industry with the highest performance stripping, blending and finishing line of non-woven products including grinding discs for right angle grinders, quick-change discs for pneumatic air sanders, and hook and loop discs for random orbital sanders," said Mr. David Long, Director of Marketing and Strategy for Norton Abrasives.

To learn more about the entire non-woven product line, visit (http://www.nortonindustrial.com/metalfab/muscle.aspx). Also, Norton recently announced the availability of a completely re-designed Norton/ Merit welding and metal fabrication eCatalog. The new catalog is available online at (http://www.nortonindustrial.com/), and is also available in print.

About Norton Abrasives and Saint-Gobain

Norton is a brand of Saint-Gobain. Norton Abrasives is the world's leading manufacturer of a wide array of abrasive products. For applications ranging from rapid stock removal to precision finishing in all industries, products are offered in Best, Better and Good performance/ price tiers for meeting the needs of all end users. (http://www.nortonabrasives.com/)

With more than 1,000 subsidiaries in 64 countries, Saint-Gobain is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of building materials, and a leader in the production of high performance materials, glass containers and abrasives. Founded in 1665 and headquartered in Paris, Saint-Gobain had worldwide sales of $58.6 billion in 2011 and employs approximately 195,000 people. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain employs approximately 19,000 people, and had sales of $7.7 billion in 2011. The company has over 265 locations throughout North America.