Coated abrasive articles and methods of making coated abrasive articles

A coated abrasive article comprising:

• a backing having first and second opposed major surfaces;
• a make layer bonded to the first major surface;
• agglomerate grinding aid particles directly bonded to the make layer, wherein the agglomerate grinding aid particles comprise grinding aid particles retained in a binder, and wherein at least a portion of the agglomerate grinding aid particles are arranged according to an open predetermined pattern;
• abrasive particles directly bonded to the make layer, wherein the abrasive particles are disposed in spaces between the agglomerate grinding aid particles;
• a size layer directly bonded to the make layer, agglomerate grinding aid particles, and abrasive particles.

A method of making a coated abrasive article, the method comprising sequentially:

• depositing a curable make layer precursor on a major surface of a backing;
• depositing agglomerate grinding aid particles onto the curable make layer precursor, wherein the agglomerate grinding aid particles comprise grinding aid particles retained in a binder;
• depositing abrasive particles onto the curable make layer precursor, wherein the abrasive particles are disposed in spaces between the agglomerate grinding aid particles;
• at least partially curing the curable make layer precursor to provide an at least partially cured make layer precursor;
• depositing a curable size layer precursor onto at least a portion of the agglomerate grinding aid particles, abrasive particles, and at least partially cured make layer precursor;
• and
• at least partially curing the curable size layer precursor.