Wood Finishing systems for solid wood, wood-based materials and varnishes

sia Abrasives – Your key to a perfect surface Many materials hide a secret. They keep their real beauty hidden. Only a professional finish can reveal what is inside. sia Abrasives has devoted itself to achieving perfectly finished surfaces for more than 135 years. «Finished by sia Abrasives» – the final touch makes all the difference to a wide variety of materials: Wood acquires its expressive colour, striking colour contrasts or astounding grain, leather captivates with its subtle nuances, contact lenses ensure the very best acuity of vision, metal glows at the peak of its perfection, marble...

Abrasive basics Sanding technology Perfect surfaces sia Abrasives 4–5 Product search – wood-based materials 18 – 19 Product search – solid wood and veneer 24 – 25 Product search – varnish 30 – 31

Top-quality products from Switzerland Company The sia Group is based in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, and is one of the world’s top three suppliers of innovative abrasives. It develops, manufactures and markets complete abrasive systems, customised to specific requirements and applications, for the treatment of every type of surface. Sanding has become a surface treatment technology. sia Abrasives employs about 1,250 people worldwide and is represented through local partners in more than 80 countries. Top-quality products from Switzerland The painstaking selection of first-class raw materials, the...

Environmental-friendly production, competent and ethical waste disposal For many years we have concerned ourselves with the efficient use of energy and committed ourselves to protecting the environment. We have implemented many measures within our production processes to protect the air, land and water. We use our energy and raw-material resources efficiently and carefully. Monitoring raw materials, setting ­quality standards We manufacture top-quality products by thorough monitoring during the production process. The superior properties of sia products represent excellent value for our customers....

Coated abrasives Non-woven abrasives Foam abrasives

Flexible Schleifmittel Classic flexible abrasives and complete finishing systems for conventional surface treatment on all types of material. The basic construction is based on a flexible backing layer. The grit is initially fixed by using a base coat on the flexible backing. The second application of adhesive, the size coat, is made following a drying process and secures the grit more firmly to the backing. Other coatings may be added on top of the size coat. These consist mainly of substances to reduce early choking or clogging of the abrasive during the sanding process or of chemicals which...

Basic facts Grit minerals The most common materials used to make abrasive grit today are the synthetic minerals aluminium oxide and silicon carbide in their various forms. There is also a growing use of special minerals such as zirconium aluminium oxide, ceramic aluminium oxide and diamond. The use of natural minerals such as garnet and emery, however, is rapidly declining. The grit’s hardness and toughness, which are a function of the starting material used, determine the properties and applications of the abrasives. Hardness (Mohs scale of hardness) White corundum Silicon carbide Semi-precious...

Basic facts Due to fluctuations in humidity and / or temperature, i ­ncorrect storage of abrasives can result in the following negative effects: • changes in dimensions • buckling • reduced sanding performance • belt slippage • belt flutter • breakage of belts or joints Correct storage means: • achieving optimum sanding results • guaranteed product life • guaranteed good performance • saving money Storage conditions: • temperature: 15 – 25 ºC | 59 – 77 ºF • relative humidity 40 – 70% • store abrasives in their original packaging • hang up belts Never store abrasives: • on heaters • near open...

Basic facts Antistatic finish Without antistatic finish With antistatic finish Static charges Any material-removal process generates friction and static charges, resulting in a positive or negative electrostatic voltage on the workpiece and belt (kV/m). If these charges cannot be conducted to an earth ground, the belt, the workpiece and dust all become statically charged. Antistatic effect However, if sanding belts are used which contain carbon fibres, soot, graphite and / or dissolved salts (electrolytes) in the paper and / or adhesive, static voltages can be grounded through contact points...

Basic facts TopTec ­ Top technology for perfect surfaces – Controlled scatter Optimum belt joints Dust-free process sia high-tech scatter technology offers the ­following benefits: sia belt joints offer the following benefits: The antistatic treatment of the belts has the ­following benefits: • optimum grit volume • perfect grit adhesion • even grit distribution • tested to FEPA standards • high and consistent quality • specific application orientation • high-quality finishing • high level of stability and long service life • no sanding faults ... and, as a result, perfect surface quality ......

Basic facts Optimum grit sequence Using the optimum grit sequence during the sanding process not only gives better sanding results but is also important in achieving the most e ­ conomical surface treatment. For this reason it is important never to skip more than one grit size at one time! The main exceptions to this are given below: from Contact belt sanding Use next finer grit e.g. P150 and P180 Cross belt sanding Orbital sanding Orbital sanding Hand sanding Skip two grit sizes e.g. P150 and P240

Basic facts

Sanding technology Wood-based materials Solid wood and veneer Paint