General purpose carbon steel wool pads are used on ferrous metal and most wood. Carbon steel wool is most often used dry and can rust when used wet. It can cause rust and discoloration on nonferrous metals.

Carbon steel wool rolls can be cut to length for nonstandard tasks and for high-volume production shops. Carbon steel wool rolls are used on ferrous metal and most wood. It is most often used dry and can rust when used wet. It can also cause rust and discoloration on nonferrous metals.

Stainless steel wool rolls resist heat and corrosion and won't discolor or cause rust stains when used on nonferrous materials such as aluminum and brass. Rolls can be cut to length for nonstandard tasks and high-volume production shops.

Synthetic steel wool pads made of nylon clean and polish surfaces. The nylon pad has a resin-bonded abrasive that will not rust or shed like metal steel wool. The pad is flexible to conform to irregular and contoured surfaces and won't remove stock material that can change workpiece dimensions.