Patent ID: 8821214

Claim:
A polishing pad, comprising: a plurality of polishing elements comprising a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polyurethane, polyacrylate, polycarbonates, polyvinyl alcohol, acetals and combinations thereof, wherein at least one of the polishing elements comprises a porous polishing element, and wherein at least a surface of each porous polishing element comprises a plurality of pores, and a support layer of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of silicone, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, neoprene, polyurethane, and combinations thereof; each of the polishing elements affixed to a support layer so as to restrict lateral movement of the polishing elements with respect to one or more of the other polishing elements, but remaining moveable in an axis normal to a polishing surface of the polishing elements, wherein the plurality of polishing elements are bonded directly to the support layer to form a unitary sheet.