The Norton sanding belt for portable belt sanders is suitable for general-purpose grinding of wood, metal, fiberglass, and plastic. The bi-directional belt splice allows the belt to run in both directions to simplify mounting and maximize sanding life. The aluminum oxide grit is one of the most common choices for general-purpose grinding, and is more durable than silicon carbide grit. 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. 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