3m Innovative Properties Company

Vincent D Romero

Timothy D Fletcher

Bruce A Sventek

Todd J Christianson

Paul S Lugg

John J Gagliardi

Eric C Coad

Interrupted structured abrasive articles comprise an abrasive layer comprising shaped abrasive composites that extend outwardly from a first major surface of a backing to which they are secured. The abrasive layer defines at least one open region that is free of the shaped abrasive composites and may extend partially or completely through the backing. In some embodiments, each of the open regions comprises a circular area of at least 1.5 square centimeters, and when combined the open regions have total area that is at least 10 percent of the area of the first major surface of the backing. Interrupted abrasive articles are useful in single-sided polishing processes.

Interrupted structured abrasive article and methods of polishing a workpiece

Provided is a lapping carrier including a base carrier having a first major surface, a second major surface and at least one aperture for holding a workpiece. The aperture extends from the first major surface through the base carrier to the second major surface. The base carrier includes a first metal or a polymer. At least a portion of the first major surface or at least a portion of each of the first and the second major surfaces includes a polymeric region. In at least a portion of the polymeric region, at least one adhesion promoting layer is interposed between the polymeric region and the base carrier. The adhesion promoting layer includes an inorganic coating.

Lapping carrier and method

Provided is a double-sided lapping carrier comprising a base carrier having a first major surface, a second major surface and at least one aperture for holding a workpiece, said aperture extending from the first major surface through the base carrier to the second major surface, wherein the base carrier comprises a first metal, the circumference of said aperture is defined by a third surface of the base carrier consisting of the first metal and, at least a portion of the first major surface or at least a portion of each of the first and the second major surfaces comprises a polymeric region, said polymeric region comprising a polymer having a work to failure of at least 10 Joules. Also provide are methods of lapping.

Provided is a method of polishing comprising providing a workpiece, providing a fixed abrasive article, providing conditioning particles, and relatively moving the workpiece and the fixed abrasive article in the presence of the conditioning particles to modify the surface of the workpiece and to condition the fixed abrasive. The fixed abrasive article comprises a substrate having a first surface and a region of abrasive composites distributed on the first surface of the substrate. The abrasive composites include a composite binder and abrasive particles, which may be in abrasive agglomerates together with a matrix material. The abrasive particles are harder than the workpiece. The conditioning particles are sufficient to condition one or more of the composite binder, matrix material, and abrasive agglomerates. The hardness of the conditioning particles is less than the hardness of the workpiece and they do not substantially polish the workpiece.

Abrasive agglomerate polishing method

Provided is a fixed abrasive article for polishing a workpiece having a hardness comprising (a) a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, (b) a region of abrasive composites distributed on the first surface of the substrate, and (c) a region of conditioning amalgams distributed on the first surface of the substrate. The abrasive composites include a composite binder and abrasive particles of a first hardness, which first hardness is higher than the hardness of the workpiece. The amalgams include an erodible binder and conditioning particles sufficient to condition the composite binder and having a second hardness, which second hardness is less than the hardness of the workpiece and greater than the hardness of the composite binder. Also provided are other abrasive articles, and methods of making them.

Self-contained conditioning abrasive article

An abrasive article having a patterned abrasive surface is provided. In accordance with the present invention, the article comprises a substrate having a first side. A plurality of raised portions are positioned on the first side of the substrate with the raised portions defining recessed areas between each raised portion. A first adhesive layer is applied to the raised portions and an abrasive material is deposited onto the first adhesive layer thereby coating the raised portions of the substrate to form an abrasive coating with the recessed areas remaining free of the abrasive material.

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Maplewood, MN, United States of America

Vincent D Romero