At the purpose of improving the performance of a coated abrasive and the quality of materials finish, lubricants, or grinding aids, are used in some applications to provide the following advantages: cooling workpiece, reducing friction, improving finish, protecting parts against corrosion and rusting and increasing the life and performance of the coated product by reducing glazing and loading.

Also improved finish is obtained by the use of externally applied lubricants.

WATER: Due to its characteristics of constitution and low viscosity, water will carry away more heat than any other coolant as it highly disperses the frictional heat resulting from the sanding operation on such materials such as glass, ceramic and thermoplastics. Water is also used with waterproof products to prevent loading when lacquer, enamels etc., are being hand sanded.

AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: These are mixtures containing wetting agents, rust inhibitors, chemical additives in water, and therefore adequate for non-ferrous materials.

SOLUBLE OILS: These are oils which form an emulsion when added to water. They are commonly used in a ratio of one part oil for ten to sixty parts of water, according to the type of application, which may be grinding and polishing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as stainless and carbon steel, nickel and titanium alloys, zinc, brass, bronze, copper and aluminum parts. Lately, their application has substituted that of direct mineral oils, waxes and some others, as they reduce the risk of fire in the sanding operations, as well as the production of fumes for they improve cooling conditions of the parts preventing burns and deformations.

CUTTING OILS: They are very stable commercial mineral oils, which react with neither the components of the coated abrasive nor the conditions of the sanding operation. This means that they can be used on non-waterproof products. Although their cost is high by itself and their heat dissipation potentially low, they afford huge advantages as to the quality of finishes. Their use is essentially recommended on ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This group also includes fatty oils and mineral oils blended with melted tallow or lard.

SOLID GREASE BARS: These improve finishes by reducing deep grooving and increase the duration of the coated abrasive by preventing loading and overheating. It is recommended for applications on non-ferrous metals, specially aluminum.

ZINC STEARATE: The use of water as a coolant or lubricant to prevent paper loading when Sanding of lacquers, varnishes, enamels, etc., can present problems as the operation is messy. Therefore to achieve the same non-loading result, the surface of certain coated abrasive products can have a Zinc Stearate coating incorporated after the making operation. This Zinc Stearate is applied so that the sections between the grains are filled; however, the cutting points must be exposed so that the abrading action can take place. Dry sanding of lacquers, etc., is now standard practice in many industries.