The Norton Benchstand sanding belt is suitable for a variety of sanding applications, from heavy-duty material removal to light sanding. The bi-directional belt splice allows the belt to run in both directions, which simplifies mounting and maximizes sanding life. The aluminum oxide grit is one of the most common choices for general-purpose grinding of steel and other materials, and is more durable than silicon carbide grit. Cloth backing withstands repeated flexing for maximum contouring to odd shapes and corners, and is more durable and tear-resistant than paper backing. The backing of this belt is made from X-weight cloth backing, which is a flexible and lightweight material that is strong enough to carry coarse grits. The belt has an open coat, which resists clogging and promotes flexibility. Open coat abrasives produce a rougher finish when abrading difficult-to-sand materials because the abrasive grains are spaced farther apart than they are on a closed coat product.