Interesting info.
I'm w/George on the 3M in general, stuff cuts fast when I post-sand to remove linear scratches from the drum sander.
I do keep using the discs "forever", but the well used discs are applied when I need to remove gunk (usually old finishes) and stuff that will plug a disc up.

My cheap stacks of bargain discs do tell how much they suck so they get used at the final grit (usually 320) and tossed so they run only for maybe 10 minutes.