Magnetically assisted disposition of magnetizable abrasive particles

A system for producing an abrasive article comprising:

• a magnet;
• a tool having a first portion comprised of a magnetizable material and second portions comprised of a non-magnetizable material, the magnet subjecting the tool to a magnetic field such that both the first portion and the second portion are subject to the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is concentrated at the first portion relative to the second portion;
• a backing;
• and
• magnetizable abrasive particles configured to be attracted to one or more areas on the backing at or adjacent where the magnetic field is concentrated when the tool is positioned adjacent the backing and magnet so as to be subject to the magnetic field, whereby the concentrated magnetic field provides for at least one of a desired orientation, placement and alignment of the magnetizable abrasive particles on the backing.

A bonded abrasive article comprising:

• a first curable composition that comprises filler abrasive particles dispersed in a first organic binder precursor;
• a first porous reinforcing material disposed on the first curable composition;
• and
• a second curable composition disposed on the porous reinforcing material and first curable composition, wherein the second curable composition comprises magnetizable abrasive particles dispersed in a second organic binder precursor;
• wherein the magnetizable abrasive particles are arranged according to an orientation, placement and alignment as a result of a concentrated magnetic field being applied to the bonded abrasive article prior to curing.

A method of making an abrasive article, the method comprising:

• providing a tool that has one or more first portions of a magnetizable material and one or more second portions of a non-magnetizable material;
• applying a magnetic field to the tool such that both the first portions and the second portions are subject to the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is concentrated at and adjacent the first portions relative to the second portions;
• positioning a backing adjacent to the tool so as to be subject to the magnetic field;
• and
• disposing magnetizable abrasive particles on the backing, wherein the magnetizable abrasive particles are attracted to one or more areas on the backing where the magnetic field is concentrated so as to provide for at least one of a desired orientation, placement and alignment of the magnetizable abrasive particles on the backing.