3M Zirconia Aluminium Flap Disc, 180mm, Fine Grade, P40 Grit

3M™ Flap Disc 769F is our long-lasting, high-performance abrasive flap disc featuring 3M™ Precision-Shaped Grain and a durable polyester backing.

Proven to outperform traditional alumina zirconia flap discs, our discs feature 3M™ Precision-Shaped Grain. This abrasive continually fractures into sharp points slicing cleanly through metal, unlike traditional abrasives which tend to plough through the substrate. This fracturing, together with the breaking down of individual flaps to expose fresh mineral, helps to deliver a high cut-rate which is consistent over the life of the disc.

The polyester backing further enhances their durability and this combined with their conformability means they hold up to high-pressure applications like bevelling, weld grinding and edge deburring. Plus, they leave a finish that makes them a great choice for applications like blending and surface prep.

In many cases, 3M™ Flap Disc 769F will allow you to grind and finish in one step, without changing abrasives. This is because, under normal conditions, 769F will generate a finish that is one grade finer than a fibre disc of the same grade. While a fibre disc will cut faster, this flap disc can eliminate steps and disc change-outs to help you save time and boost productivity.

They’re ideal for use on carbon steel, stainless steel and other heat-sensitive alloys.

• Delivers long-lasting high-performance and versatility

• Cuts faster and lasts longer than conventional abrasive grain thanks to 3M™ Precision-Shaped Grain

• Proven to outperform traditional alumina zirconia flap discs

• Individual flaps break down, exposing fresh mineral to deliver consistent cut rate for the life of the disc

• Ideal for use on carbon steel, stainless steel and other heat-sensitive alloys

• Covers a wide range of applications from weld grinding and bevelling to surface prep

Flap discs are a type of power tool accessory that can be used in conjunction with angle grinders to grind, blend and remove excess material, depending on what the task is that they are being used for. Flap discs are available in different grit sizes and each grit size will be more or less suitable for removing excess material from welds or removing rust, descaling, preparation of surfaces for painting or polishing and other surface finishing applications. They are most commonly used in:

• Building and construction industries
• Automotive engineering and manufacturing
• Ship and boat manufacturing
• Metal fabrication
• Home DIY

Are flap discs more effective than standard abrasive discs?

While both discs can be used for wood and metal surfaces, flap discs are better suited for use with metal. Abrasive discs are better at removing material from a surface, but for grinding metal surfaces, flap disc presents a more durable and long-lasting solution. They even have some advantages over grinding wheels in that, while they may not remove metal as aggressively, they are slightly safer to use and produce less sparks.

What is the difference between flap discs and flap wheels?

Flat discs are designed to be used with hand-held equipment such as angle-grinders, to be moved over a surface or medium that needs to be sanded or polished. Flap wheels were originally designed to be used with a static machine such as a fixed buffing machine, where the medium is used against the belt. However, flap wheels can also be used on handheld rotary tools such as electric drills. A flap wheel strikes a surface in a less regular way that a flap disc, meaning there are less uniform scratches, which is desirable particularly for metal buffing and polishing. They also last longer than conventional discs as the flaps wear from the outside in, rather than consistently across a disc surface. Conventional flap discs, however, may present a more cost-effective solution for less specialized applications.

In order to keep them in ideal condition, flap discs should be stored flat, avoiding damp and frost or wide temperature variations.

• P40 Grit – Useful when you need to remove heavy stock from a surface.
• P60 Grit – For when you need to remove stock from a surface, but will need to refine the finish.
• P80 Grit – This is for light stock removal and sharping only.

3M is a leading innovator of abrasive technologies, constantly evolving to provide ideal solutions to industrial and commercial applications. With 3M you can be assured of a wide selection of quality products.