What a flap disc is
A flap disc is a backing plate with a ring of abrasive flaps around the edge. Each flap is a strip of abrasive bonded to the backing and the flaps overlap slightly so that the working face remains closed. In comparison to a solid grinding wheel it will give a smoother finish and tends to generate less heat (which in turn reduces the risk of discolouration of the workpiece).
Where it is used
Most flap discs are used with an angle grinder. The fabricator will use them to blend in the weld bead, remove the weld spatter and smooth the cut edges. The maintenance people use them to strip rust, mill scale and old paint off structural steel, pipework and equipment frames. They’re useful for surface preparation prior to coating and for finishing stainless steel where you need a uniform controlled scratch pattern.
Practical benefits
The principal benefit is consistency. The flaps wear gradually so the disc doesn’t suddenly lose its performance like a worn grinding wheel can and removes material in a much more even fashion across the surface. This makes it far easier to get a clean blend between the weld and the parent metal without having to dig into the surface. They also leave far fewer deep scratches than a coarse grinding disc so there’s less work to do in the subsequent finishing operation.
Choosing the right type
The main options are grit, the disc angle and the abrasive. The coarser the grit the more material and rust it will remove, the finer the grit the smoother the finish. Conical (angled) flap discs are ideal for contoured surfaces and weld blending, flat style discs are better for flat surfaces. The T27 and T29 are the most common types, we’ll need to confirm which of these are in this product range: [CONFIRM]. The abrasive itself (e.g. zirconia or ceramic) will have an effect on the aggressiveness of the cut and the life of the disc on hard materials: [CONFIRM].
Technical details
• Grit range
• Disc diameter
• Arbor hole size
• Backing material
• Abrasive type
• Maximum operating speed (RPM)
• Compatible grinder types
Safe use
Always ensure the disc’s maximum speed is equal to or greater than the grinder’s no load speed. Use the guard that comes with the grinder, wear eye and face protection, gloves and hearing protection and use only the grinder’s recommended wheel guard and spindle lock where fitted. Don’t use a flap disc on a grinder that isn’t rated for it.
Enquiry
Get in touch for product details or to request a quote for your particular application, quantity and grit requirements.