COATED ABRASIVE BELT AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

A coated abrasive belt (100) includes a belt backing (110) and an abrasive layer disposed thereon. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive elements (160) secured to at least a portion of a major surface of the belt backing (110) by at least one binder material. The abrasive elements are disposed at contiguous intersections of horizontal (192) and vertical lines (194) of a rectangular grid pattern. Each abrasive element has at least two triangular abrasive platelets (130), each having respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the belt backing A first portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating first rows (16) wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the vertical lines (194). A second portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating second rows (168) wherein the triangular abrasive platelets (130) are disposed lengthwise aligned with the horizontal lines (194). The first and second rows repeatedly alternate along the vertical lines. Methods of making and using the coated abrasive belt are also disclosed.