FAQ
TERMS & CONDITIONS FAQ’S
What methods of payment are accepted?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, checks and money orders. Customers with established AA Abrasives, Inc. credit, payment terms are net 30 days from date of invoice. If payment is not received within 30-day period, AA Abrasives, Inc. may defer or cancel all or part of any shipment or order. Please note, pursuant to PayPal's terms of use, we will not be able to receive personal transactions from PayPal accounts outside the U.S. starting October 31, 2022.
To make an ACH payment, a domestic wire transfer, or an international wire transfer please contact us at [email protected] for the required bank routing information.
What is the Minimum Order Policy?
We offer outstanding service, price, and a great selection because we sell almost exclusively in wholesale. Our Online Catalog offers discounted pricing for our customers, who buy in volume. We allow individual sales as a courtesy as long as you meet the minimum order requirement when applicable. As such, we have a Minimum Order Policy of $50 for all AA Abrasives customers in the US. Minimum Order Policy for customers outside of the US is $250. Some individual manufacturers adhere to more stringent minimum order policies of which we will advise you of as needed. If you have any questions, you can contact customer service at 1-800-888-1802 during business hours.
What is your shipping policy?
AA Abrasives, Inc. ships to all 50 states and Canada. 99.9% of all in stock orders placed before 3:30 pm EST are shipped the day they are received. Shipping charges from our warehouse in Philadelphia, PA are calculated based on weight and method of shipping. If the estimated shipping charges differ by more than $2.00 we will contact you for authorization before shipping. We do not add a per item shipping fee. AA Abrasives will pay the freight on orders $250.00 and above placed through our web store at prices listed on qualified merchandise and shipped within the continental US. AA Abrasives, Inc. will ship all orders UPS ground unless otherwise requested. We cannot ship orders C.O.D.
For International orders, we will ship pre-paid orders ($250 order minimum) to a freight forwarder of your choosing within the continental US. All customs charges related to tariffs, taxes and duties are the sole responsibility of the customer. The release of your package is at the discretion of customs agents. Please note the customs process may delay delivery. This applies to all non-US orders. The buyer assumes all risks and responsibilities when placing order for delivery outside of the US.
Delivery
Orders are shipped Monday through Friday, daytime business hours only. Orders placed on Fridays after 3 pm EST, weekends or holidays will be shipped on the next regular business day. Items that are drop shipped directly from manufacturers may take longer, so items ordered together may not always arrive in the same box or on the same day. Hazardous materials require special handling and may be subject to local, state and federal regulations, which may delay or prohibit shipments. Hazardous materials will not be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii or exported outside of the contiguous United States.
What is your return policy?
To process your request as efficiently as possible, in the event that you need to return any item, please note our return policy:
Please email return requests to [email protected] for a Return Goods Authorization number (returns will not be accepted unless accompanied by this number) and be sure to write your RGA number on the shipping label.
Returns must be requested in writing within 14 days of receipt of merchandise. Once a return authorization is issued, items must be shipped back prepaid to the address indicated within 10 days. Returns will be subject to a 15% restocking fee plus freight reimbursement. In addition, some manufacturers may charge additional restocking fees which we will advise you of prior to return. All credits and returns will be subject to inspection. Returned product must be in original packaging, unused, undamaged and in salable condition. AA Abrasives reserves the right to decline the return or credit of any product deemed misused or non-salable. Custom and special make orders are sold on a “final sale” basis only. No cancellations, returns, refunds or credits are allowed.
Do you offer a warranty on products?
AA Abrasives, Inc. Limited Warranty
Limited Warranty:
Our products are warranted to be free from defects. Our obligation to the customer will be at our option to replace any portion proven defective or to refund the purchase price thereof. The customer assumes all other risks if any. The customer shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use. There is no other warranty expressed or implied, no other deviation is authorized.
Limitation of Liability:
In no event shall AA Abrasives, Inc. be liable for any special, incidental, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to loss of profits). AA Abrasives, Inc.’s liability, in all circumstances, shall not exceed the purchase price paid for the product that gives rise to any liability.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
For information on a particular manufacturer’s warranty, please email: [email protected] or call 1-800-888-1802.
What is your Cancellation Policy?
All product order cancellations must be approved by AA Abrasives, Inc., and may be subject to restocking fees and other charges.
All products listed in both our print and online catalog shall be used in accordance with safety regulations set by OSHA and by the directive described by The American National Safety Institute B7.1 1978 covering wheels, speeds, safety guards, eye and face protection, flanges, and mounting procedures. The operator has to be thoroughly familiar with the above before using the product.
Do you have sales or special offers?
We periodically email sales, special purchases and closeout information to our registered users. If you have registered for an account, you can look for these notices in the email account that you used to sign up for you AA Abrasives, Inc account. You may unsubscribe at any time.
All items in our Print and Online catalogs are subject to prior sale. Prices subject to change without notice. AA Abrasives Inc. is not responsible for printing or typographical errors in either our print or online catalogs.
SAFETY & SECURITY FAQ’S
What are your safety and security policies?
Because your credit card security is our highest priority, AA Abrasives Inc. has taken several steps to ensure that your payment information is processed confidentially and accurately. To do so, we maintain appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that are designed to safeguard your personal information from accidental, unlawful, or unauthorized destruction, loss, alteration, access, disclosure, or use. AA Abrasives Inc. servers use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an advanced encryption technology. We also use the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) communications protocol on all areas of the website. We comply with payment card industry data security standards for the processing of credit card transactions. Your AA Abrasives’ account is protected by your log-in credentials, which you must keep secure and confidential.
If you have questions regarding our credit card security policies, please email us at [email protected].
COPYRIGHT
No content appearing in this website may be copied or extracted by any means without the express written consent of the site owner.
APPLICATION & TECHNICAL FAQ’S
What are the three basic raw materials used in the manufacture of coated abrasives?
- Grain – a synthetic or natural abrasive
- Bond – an adhesive that permanently bonds the backing to the abrasive
- Backing – a backing that the abrasive is bonded to
What are the different coated abrasive grain types and their characteristics?
- Aluminum Oxide – Aluminum Oxide is brown or reddish in color and a man-made abrasive. It is durable with tough cutting edges. It offers long life and is highly wear resistant even under stress applications. Its applications include aluminum, ferrous metals (including alloy steel), hardwood, and leather.
- Crocus – Crocus is reddish brown in color. It is a soft material made from iron oxide. It is the finest natural grain produced. Its applications include cleaning and extremely fine polishing of soft materials such as gold.
- Emery – Emery is a dark gray round-shaped natural grain. It is better used as a polishing grain than a cutting grain. It is used for cleaning and polishing metals.
- Flint – Flint is a low cost white crystalline nonconductive mineral. It is only available with a paper backing. Its is used for low-pressure hand applications, paint removal, and sanding in the electrical motor industry.
- Garnet – Garnet is a reddish brown natural grain. It is relatively sharp and has a medium hardness. Its durability cannot be compared to that of synthetic abrasives. It is used for finishing applications in soft woods such as fir or pine.
- Silicon Carbide – Silicon Carbide is black in color. It is a sharp, hard synthetic abrasive. Its friable grains fracture to continually expose new cutting edges and permit fast stock removal. Its applications include aluminum, bronze, non-ferrous metals, and non-metallics such as glass, plastic, rubber and soft woods.
- White Aluminum Oxide – White Aluminum Oxide is a friable man-made abrasive. Its sharp, cool cutting edges easily break down under pressure to expose new cutting edges. Its applications include non-ferrous metal finishing and production wood sanding.
- Zirconia Alumina – Zirconia Alumina is a bluish gray colored ultra rugged synthetic abrasive. It has large fracture planes and is a sharper, more blocky grain than aluminum oxide. It self-sharpens as it cuts and is available only in coarser grits. It is used for heavy duty grinding on all ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and rough planing of wood products.
What are the different types of abrasive bonds used in coated abrasives?
- Glue – A system where both coats are made of animal glue is used when the strength of the bond is not an important factor, such as with lightweight papers and materials.
- Phenolic Resin – This system uses full phenolic resin for both coats. It is designed to withstand moisture and heat during application and is the most durable adhesion available.
- Resin over Glue – A system where the make coat is animal glue, and the size coat is either urea or phenolic resin. It is used when more strength and heat resistance is necessary.
- Urea Resin – Both coats are resin-based in this system. Urea resin withstands more frictional heat than normal glue adhesives, but not as much extreme heat as phenolic resin.
What are the different types of backings used in coated abrasives?
- Cloth Backings – There are two types of cloth backing available. Cotton backing is flexible and lightweight, but not waterproof. Polyester backing is stronger than cotton. It is waterproof, fray resistant and absorbs shock. Cloth backings come in various weights.
- “X” Weight – This string heavy cloth, also called drills, is recommended for all ordinary machine sanding operations.
- “J” Weight – This flexible, lightweight cloth, also called jeans, is used where more flexibility is needed, such as with contour sanding.
- “F” Weight – This highly flexible, lightweight jeans cloth is used when extreme flexibility is desired.
- “Y” Weight – This extremely heavy duty drills cloth is used for tough applications.
- Fibre Backings – Fibre is a hard, durable material with great mechanical strength. It is used to make resin fibre discs.
- Paper Backings – Different paper weights, designated by letters, are available for different applications.
- “A” Weight – This light touch 40# paper is primarily used in finishing operations where fine grits are required.
- “C” Weight – This medium light 70# paper is used when some pliability and strength are required. It can be used in folded or flat areas and is ideal for cabinetwork. This backing is available in fine to medium grits.
- “D” Weight – This medium heavy 90# paper is available in medium and coarse grits.
- “E” Weight – This strong 130# paper is used for belts, discs, rolls and very coarse sheets.
- “F” Weight – This 165# paper is used for narrow and wide belts, metal and crankshaft polishing rolls, and cabinet and furniture industries.
What are the basic raw materials used in the construction of nonwoven abrasives?
- Grain – a synthetic or natural abrasive
- Fiber Weave – choice fibers are polyester or nylon
- Resin System – a bonding system that impregnates the fiber weave with grain
What types of grain are used in the production of nonwoven material?
- Aluminum Oxide – Aluminum Oxide is brown or reddish in color and a man-made abrasive. It is durable with tough cutting edges. It offers long life and is highly wear resistant even under stress applications.
- Silicon Carbide – Silicon Carbide is black in color. It is a sharp, hard synthetic abrasive. Its friable grains fracture to continually expose new cutting edges and permit fast stock removal. It cuts fast and produces finer scratch patterns.
How do nonwoven abrasives work?
Nonwoven abrasives provide a controlled, sustained stock removal process. The “open weave” three-dimensional material construction provides a continuous supply of new grain when fiber and old grain wear away. The flexible “spring” design reduces the chance of undercutting or gouging a work product. Nonwoven abrasives can be divided into two categories:
- Clean & Finish – Nonwoven clean & finish products are generally hand-operated. The are not as strong in nature as surface conditioning products because less grain, fiber and resin are used in their production. Clean & finish products include flap wheels, hand pads, sheets and rolls.
- Surface Conditioning – Surface conditioning products are generally used near the end of the manufacturing process. Surface conditioning refers to the changing of a product’s surface, without removing or damaging the base material. These products are used in mechanical operations and include discs and belts.
In what applications are nonwoven abrasives used?
- Blending
- Cleaning
- Deburring
- Decorative finishing
- Defuzzing of plywood
- Flash removal from plastic parts
- Polishing
- Removing oxides and rusts
- Scrubbing
- Scuffing
What materials are nonwoven abrasives use on?
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Ceramics
- Chrome Plate
- Copper
- Fiberglass
- Glass
- Nickel
- Stainless Steel
- Titanium
- Wood/Plywood
- Zinc
What are the main components used in the construction of bonded abrasives?
- Abrasive grains – usually aluminum oxide or silicon carbide
- Bonding agent – usually a resin bond
- Spacing of grains within the bond – determine porosity and strength
What applications are bonded abrasives used in?
- Centerless grinding
- Cylindrical grinding
- Foundry snagging
- Internal grinding
- Mounted point grinding
- Portable grinding
- Surface grinding
- Toolroom grinding
What grit do I use for my finishing application?
- If you are roughing, choose a 36 to 80 grit.
- If you are intermediate grinding, use 80 through 180 grit.
- If you are finishing, use 220 through 240 grit.
What type of abrasives are best for finishing specific materials?
- Bonded abrasives are generally used when removing heavy stock or cutting concrete or metals.
- Coated abrasives are generally used for the defuzzing, deburring or finishing of hard or soft woods, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
- Nonwoven abrasives are generally used for polishing and finishing a variety of materials such as plastic, glass, rubber and ferrous or non-ferrous materials.
How do I obtain certain finishes (example: mirror finish) on ferrous and non-ferrous metals?
This is a question with several different answers. So we can provide the best solution please call our customer service at 800-888-1802.
What is the best way to store my abrasives?
The best way to have abrasive products retain maximum performance and work life is to store them properly. The bonding and backing materials used in abrasives are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Abrasives are best stored at temperature levels of 60 to 80 degrees Farenheit and a 35 to 50 percent relative humidity. Products should be kept in their cartons until you are ready to use them. Cartons should be clear of any heat sources, cold walls, and off of damp floors.