Choosing the correct blasting media is critical to achieving the desired finish on a variety of surface materials. The wrong choice can result in an unsatisfactory finish, wasted material, and potential damage to the surface. As an industry-leading supplier, we understand the importance of making the right choice. The following guidelines can help you make informed decisions about commonly used abrasives for surface finishing applications.
Learn the basics of sandblasting
Sandblasting, often called sand blasting, involves directing a stream of abrasive particles onto a surface to clean, deburr, or prepare it for subsequent finishing processes. The type of abrasive media used affects the finish, material removal rate and wear of the blasting equipment.
Determine required surface treatment
Different surface materials and desired finishes require different grinding media. Do you want a smooth, polished surface or a rough texture for your subsequent paint job? Determining the finish you want is the first step in choosing the right medium.
Consider surface hardness
Softer surfaces like aluminum and brass require gentler abrasives than harder surfaces like steel or cast iron. Using too aggressive abrasives on soft surfaces can cause unnecessary pitting and damage.
Reusable grinding media
Aluminum Oxide: Can be used on a variety of materials such as ferrous metals, steel, many metal alloys, stainless steel, glass, ceramics, marble, granite, stone and other hard surfaces.
Steel Shot and Grit: Best for aggressive cleaning and quick stripping. Steel shot provides a smooth surface and is ideal for wheel blasting applications and shot blasting. Steel grit provides a rougher surface finish and is often used for surface preparation of coatings.
Glass Beads: Glass beads or glass bead abrasives are most commonly used for general maintenance and blast cleaning processes. Using glass bead blasting allows users to clean workpieces without significantly removing the surface.
Blast Sanding Garnet: A multi-purpose medium that effectively cleans steel and other hard metals.
Disposable grinding media
Slag: including coal slag, copper slag and nickel slag abrasives. Ideal for outdoor blasting, single use applications.
Crushed Glass: Made from 100% recycled glass, this abrasive creates a sharp profile that can be used to remove a variety of coatings. It produces a whiter, cleaner surface than mineral sand.
Consider reusability
As you have now read, some abrasives can be reused multiple times, while others can only be used once. Determine the frequency of blasting and consider the cost effectiveness of reusable media versus disposable media.
environmental and health issues
Make sure the abrasive you choose complies with environmental regulations, especially if the used media will be discarded outdoors or used around other workers. Avoid using abrasives such as silica sand as respirable crystalline silica can pose health risks.
Ask the Experts
Still not sure which abrasive is best for your application? Leverage Mayjoy’s expertise. We specialize in abrasive solutions and can guide you to find the product that best suits your needs.
In summary
Selecting the correct grinding media not only achieves the desired finish, it also maximizes efficiency, ensures equipment longevity, and protects the substrate. Always test your chosen abrasive on a small section and make adjustments based on the results before full application. Remember, a perfect finish starts with the right start, and Mayjoy can help every step of the way.
