Which Backing Pad Is Best for Sanding Discs?

FIH Fibre Disc Backing Pads

Our FIH premium backing pads are the first choice for high pressure and aggressive grinding.

FIH backing pads have a ribbed support structure which sits behind the sanding disc.  This ribbed structure has a number of benefits when grinding.

Firstly the ribs enable the operate to grind at a higher pressure without having to lean in too much on the disc.  Secondly, the ribs cause air to flow beneath the sanding disc which reduces the grinding temperature of the sanding disc.

The effect of the ribbed structure on the FIH backing pads is to increase speed of cut, to reduce wear on the operator and also to increase sanding disc life.  A definite win-win, especially when you add in that the backing pad will also last a lot longer than the traditional more flexible pads.

We recommend the FIH backing pads for all high pressure grinding with the Actirox, Cibo Ceramics and Zirconia sanding disc.

Recommendations for FIH Ribbed Backing Pads:

• All 24 and 36 grit sanding applications
• All Actirox disc sanding with both AF799 and AF890 materials
• Cibo Ceramics in 36 and 60 grit with the FX discs.

FIW Fibre Disc Back Up Pads

The FIW is our intermediate backing pad.  Constructed with a semi-flexible nylon material the FIW backing pad will allow the operator to grind at a higher pressure but with some capacity to flex and follow the form of the workpiece.    They allow for a little flexibility when using the fibre disc but they will also allow the operator to sand at high pressure.

Recommendations for FIW Backing Pads:

• 60 to 120 grit sanding with zirconia grit sanding pads (K3K)
• 60 to 120 grit FX Cibo Ceramic fibre sanding discs
• KFK aluminium oxide sanding discs.
• Use the FIW pads when you need some flexibility in the sanding disc but some stock removal is still required

FIZ Fibre Disc Back Up Pads

The most flexible backing pad.  The FIZ back up pads have a softer and more flexible rubber backing making the FIZ backing pad particularly good when finishing and sanding curved surfaces with conditioning discs and finer grade sanding discs.

Recommendations for FIZ Backing Pads:

• 80 to 120 grit sanding with zirconia grit sanding pads (K3K) where finishing is the most important aspect of the sanding process.
• KFK aluminium oxide sanding discs.
• The FIZ pads are particularly good as a backing support for surface conditioning discs where blending and finishing are required.
• Use the FIZ pads when your main aim is finishing and blending.