Ceramic Media

Mass Finishing Media & Compound

CERAMIC MEDIA - The most common form of vibratory and mass finishing media's. It is manufactured with a aluminum based powders mixed with various sized abrasive grains, and water. It is then extruded and cut to size. Most all ceramic materials weigh in the 85-90 lb. range and are ideal for ferrous metal deburring. There are specialty ceramic media now available for both non ferrous lightweight deburring (65lbs./cu.ft.) and long lasting extremely dense material (120lbs./cu.ft.) excellent for use in chemically accelerated processes and high energy mass finishing applications.

PLASTIC MEDIA - This media is made from mixing either polyester or urea based material with usually silica abrasive flours, it is then put into molds and curved. An excellent media for nonferrous deburring and finishing, since it's weight (usually 65-70 lbs./cu.ft.) has a tendency to "see-saw" on the burrs instead of peening them over which could happen with heavier media. It has a tendency to leave many products with a "galvanized" finish. Very low micro-finishes can be achieved. There is also a variety of shapes and sizes available. Specialty type plastics are also available for high energy finishing and heavy duty finishing made with special abrasives (zircon).

TUMBLING NUGGETS - At a 145lb./cu ft. This material can really do some mass finishing work. Duralum XA is a dense, tough, and yet free-cutting. This material is used in many cases where deburring is weeded. Duralum XM is a sintered ceramic material principally used in mass finishing applications and is effectively "driven" for loose abrasives and powders. Both work well in high energy equipment with a high longevity characteristics. Media lodging should be a consideration when using this media since it comes in random shapes.

STEEL AND STAINLESS STEEL - At 300lbs/cu.ft. This media can be used in only heavy duty mass finishing systems. The most common use is in "burnishing" applications, especially aluminum and brass components. This material can also be useful in deburring machined castings and plastic parts. This is most likely the absolute longest wearing media's available. And if chosen correctly, will not lodge in parts.

PRECISION MEDIA - We have some of the finest small media's available, mostly ceramic porcelain based. These materials are useful in deburring and finishing small parts in high energy barrel equipment. Usually measured in millimeters. Some as small as 1.3 x 2.7mm cylinders and 1mm burnishing spheres. Many times used with abrasive powders for deburring and cutting, followed by cleaning and/or polishing step. Tolerances are tight on this material and much of it is from overseas. In many cases the investments cost for this item is far greater than "normal" ceramic media's.

WOOD PEGS - This mass finishing media is typically used dry in tumble barrels. Especially useful in polishing on wood products, plastic and nylon components. Can be used also as a "coloring" media when staining and finishing wood parts.

TREATED WALNUT SHELL - There are several different treated walnut shell materials available. All are used dry and in many cases to achieve near-buff finishes. Very popular in the jewelry business. There are some treated walnut shell materials available with the abrasives for dry deburring. Corn cob and fine saw dust materials with polishing additives are also available. In most cases you must "recharge" these organic media's with extra powder, paste or waxes over time to keep them "active".

CORN COB - As with walnut shells used dry. Used mostly for a drying agent, but can also be a polishing material. In a vibratory application, It not only dries, but acts as a "towel" to "wipe" away any spots that would otherwise be left on your parts. Most effective when used in a "heating" unit.

COMPOUNDS (LIQUID/POWDER) - Metal Preparations offers a wide variety of environmentally-safe, biodegradable compounds which meet most ferrous and nonferrous requirements in deburring, burnishing, cleaning, descaling, radiusing, and rust inhibiting. To meet your specific needs, we can formulate and test special compounds in the most advanced chemical and mass finishing laboratories in the industry.