Choosing the right blasting media is critical to achieving the desired surface effects on a variety of surface materials. The wrong choice can result in unsatisfactory surface effects, material waste, and surface damage. As an industry-leading supplier, the following guide can help you make informed decisions for surface preparation applications using common abrasives.
Learn the Basics of Abrasive Blasting
Abrasive blasting, commonly known as sandblasting, involves directing a stream of abrasive particles at a surface to clean, deburr, or prepare for subsequent finishing processes. The type of abrasive media used can affect surface finish, material removal rates, and wear on blasting equipment.
Determine the Desired Effect
Different surface materials and desired surface effects require different abrasive media. Do you need a smooth, polished surface, or do you need a rough texture for subsequent paint work? Determining the desired surface effect is the first step in selecting the appropriate media.
Consider Surface Hardness
Softer surfaces such as aluminum and brass require milder abrasives than harder surfaces such as steel or cast iron. Using overly aggressive abrasives on soft surfaces can cause unwanted dents and damage.
Reusable Abrasive Media
Aluminum Oxide: Can be used on a variety of materials such as ferrous metals, steel, many metal alloys, stainless steel, glass, ceramic, marble, granite, stone and other hard surfaces.
Steel Shot and Steel Grit: Best for aggressive cleaning and quick stripping. Steel shot provides a smooth surface and is ideal for wheel blasting applications and shot peening. Steel grit provides a rougher surface and is often used for finishing coatings.
Glass Beads: Glass beads or glass bead abrasives are most commonly used for general maintenance and blast cleaning processes. Using glass beads for blasting allows the user to clean the workpiece without significant surface removal.
Garnet: Multi-purpose media that effectively cleans steel and other hard metals.
Disposable Abrasive Media
Mineral Slag: Includes coal slag, copper slag and nickel slag abrasives. For outdoor blasting, disposable applications.
Crushed Glass: Made from 100% recycled glass, this abrasive produces a sharp profile and can be used to remove a variety of coatings. It produces a whiter, cleaner surface than mineral grit.
Consider Reusability
As you may have read by now, some abrasives can be reused multiple times, while others can only be used once. Determine how often you will be blasting, and consider the cost-effectiveness of reusable and disposable media.
Environmental and Health Concerns
Make sure the abrasive you choose complies with environmental regulations, especially if the used abrasive will be discarded outdoors or used around other workers. Avoid abrasives such as silica sand, which contains respirable crystalline silica, which poses a health risk.
In Summary
Choosing the right abrasive media is not only about achieving the desired finish, but also about maximizing efficiency, ensuring the life of your equipment, and protecting your substrate. Always test your chosen abrasive on a small section before applying it fully, and make adjustments based on the results. Remember, a perfect finish starts with the right start, and we can help you every step of the way.
