3M™ Trizact™ Cloth Belt 337DC, A45 X-weight, 2 in x 72 in, Film-lok, No Flex, 20 ea/Case

The 3M Trizact Cloth Belt 337DC is a highly durable and reliable abrasive belt that offers a consistent sustained cut rate. Its exceptional performance is attributed to its uniquely engineered "bricks and channels" macroreplicated abrasive structure. This structure consists of uniform abrasive "bricks" that ensure fresh cutting mineral is always present at the working surface, while "channels" effectively sweep away debris to prevent loading and keep the substrate clean.

Unlike conventional aluminum oxide belts, the "bricks" of the Trizact Cloth Belt 337DC contain layers of mineral and grinding aid, up to four times more than standard belts of the same grade. This dense layering of abrasive mineral results in an extended lifespan and remarkably consistent performance. Additionally, the grinding aid incorporated in the belt protects heat-sensitive alloys from damage, reducing the need for rework. Trizact belts maintain their sharpness throughout their lifespan, delivering a consistent cut that often eliminates the need for multiple process steps. In fact, Trizact 337DC has the capability to grind and finish in a single step in many cases.

Building upon the principles of microreplication, 3M scientists have developed larger and more diverse abrasive structures, including cubes, spheres, and ridges. These structures are precisely and uniformly arranged across a film or cloth backing, forming a pattern that is specifically designed to deliver a sustained cut rate and eliminate any variation between belts.

Microreplication allows 3M to create abrasives with varying shapes and formulations, enabling precise control over factors such as breakdown, cut, finish, and lifespan. This technology plays a crucial role in designing abrasives that can tackle the finishing of difficult processing materials, such as titanium, cobalt, stainless steel, and exotic alloys commonly found in the aerospace, aviation, and medical industries. Trizact belts are also effective for finishing applications on carbon steel, copper, bronze, aluminum, composite materials, and synthetics.

The Trizact Cloth 337DC belts are ideal for dry intermediate finishing, blending, scratch refinement, or final dimensioning. They can be used with robotic, semi-automated, automated, off-hand equipment, and portable file belt tools. For optimal performance, it is recommended to use Trizact Cloth 337DC belts with medium hardness contact wheels (50-70 Shore A), rubber contact wheels, or smooth face to gentle serrated contact wheels.

In a real-world application, we used a grade sequence of A100, A65, and A30 Trizact belts to prepare drawn carbon steel truck exhausts from rough to pre-plate finishes in the fewest steps possible. The Trizact 337DC belt outlasted a competitor's belt by a ratio of 2:1. Similarly, for blending, final dimensioning, and finishing of turbine engine components, the grade A45 Trizact 337DC belt outlasted a competitor's belt by a ratio of 4:1 and produced a finer finish.

Microreplication is just one of the core technologies employed by 3M. This technology allows for the precise calibration of arrays, giving materials new physical, chemical, or optical properties. The same science that makes 3M's structured abrasives wear more evenly, last longer, and provide pristine finishes on delicate components like medical implants is also responsible for making traffic signs brighter and enhancing the capture and reflection of light in exterior building illumination.