Abrasive Blasting Media Guide
The selection of finishes are virtually unlimited and so are the applications. The information below is intended as a general reference guide. Consult Metal Preparations Company for specific media applications.
|
Finishing |
Cleaning & Removal |
Surface Treatment & Preparation |
| |
|
|
- Add matte or satin finish, or decorative frost
- Remove glare or imperfections
- Blend marks
- Hone and burnish
- Mark identifications
|
- Chemical impurities
- Coatings
- Paint
- Sealants and adhesives
- Carbon deposits
- Scale
- Excess brazing
- Casting materials
- Flashing
- Burrs
- Rust
- Oxidation
|
- Strengthen
- Add fatigue resistance
- Improve wear properties
- Reduce design weights, porosity, friction or susceptibilty to corrosion
- Improve lubrication
- Expose flaws for inspection
- Etch for bonding and adhesion
- Cut
|
Media Guide
| |
Glass Bead |
Ceramic Shot |
Stainless Cut Wire |
Steel Shot |
Steel Grit |
Aluminum Oxide |
Silicon Carbide |
Garnet |
Crushed Glass |
Plastic Media |
Agri Shell |
| Finishing |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Cleaning/Removal |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Peening |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Surfance Profiling (Etch) |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Working Speed |
Med |
Med |
Med |
Med |
Med
High |
High |
Very
High |
High |
High |
Med
High |
Low
High |
| Recyclability |
Med
- Low |
High |
High |
Very
High |
Very
High |
Med-
High |
Med
Low |
Med |
Med
Low |
Med |
Low |
| Probability of Metal Removal |
Very
Low |
Very
Low |
Very
Low |
Very
Low |
Med |
Med-
High |
Med
High |
Med |
Low
Med |
Very
Low |
Very
Low |
| Hardness, MOH Scale |
5.5 |
7 |
6 - 7.5 |
6 - 7.5 |
8-9 |
8-9 |
9 |
8 |
5.5 |
3-4 |
1-4.5 |
| (Rockwell RC) |
|
(57-63) |
(35-55) |
(20-66) |
(40-66) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bulk Density (lb/cu. Ft.) |
100 |
150 |
280 |
280 |
230 |
125 |
95 |
130 |
100 |
45-60 |
40-80 |
| Mesh Size |
30-440 |
8-46 |
20-62 |
8-200 |
10-325 |
12-325 |
36-220 |
16-325 |
30-400 |
12-80 |
MANY |
| Typical Blast Pressures (psi) |
20-55 |
20-90 |
20-90 |
20-90 |
20-90 |
20-90 |
20-90 |
30-80 |
20-50 |
20-60 |
10-40 |
Note:
Above information is intended as a general reference guide. Consult Metal Preparations for specific media specifications.
1.) Sodium bicarbonate must be treated with a flow agent.
2.) Do not use silica sand in a hand cabinet.
