| |
Blast Media Characteristics Comparison
|
Material
|
Mesh
Size
|
Shape
|
Density
lbs/ft3
|
Mohs
|
Friability
|
Init.
Cost
|
No. of
Cycles
|
Per use
Cost
|
Source
|
Typical
Applications
|
|
Sil. Sand•
|
6-270
|
 |
100
|
5.0-6.0
|
high
|
low
|
1 |
med. |
nat. |
Outdoor blast
cleaning |
|
Min. Slag
|
8-80
|
|
85-112
|
7.0-7.5
|
high
|
med.
|
1-2 |
med. |
b-p |
Outdoor blast
cleaning |
|
Garnet
|
8-300
|
|
130-145
|
7.0
|
med.
|
med.
|
2-2.5 |
med. |
nat. |
Cleaning, finishing,
deburring, etching |
|
Steel Grit
|
10-325
|
|
230
|
8.0
|
low
|
high
|
200+ |
med. |
mfd. |
Removing heavy
scale |
|
Steel Shot
|
8-200
|
 |
280
|
8.0
|
-
|
high
|
200+ |
low |
mfd. |
Cleaning, peening |
|
Al. Oxide
|
12-325
|
|
125
|
9.0
|
med.
|
high
|
6-8 |
med. |
mfd. |
Cleaning, finishing,
deburring, etching |
|
Silicon Carbide
|
12-325
|
|
110
|
9.5
|
med.
|
high
|
5-6 |
med. |
mfd. |
Surface preparation on
extremely hard substrates |
|
Glass Bead
|
10-400
|
|
85-90
|
5.5-6.0
|
med.
|
med.
|
8-10 |
low |
mfd. |
Cleaning, finishing |
|
Plastic
|
12-80
|
|
45-60
|
3.0-4.0
|
low/med.
|
high
|
8-10 |
med. |
mfd. |
Paint stripping,
deflashing, cleaning |
|
Bicarbonate of Soda
|
60-170
|
|
60
|
2.5
|
high
|
high
|
1 |
high |
mfd. |
Cleaning, paint removal |
|
Wheat Starch
|
12-80
|
|
45
|
2.0
|
med.
|
med.
|
12-15 |
high |
mfd. |
Paint, adhesive
removal;
composites |
|
XLCorn Hybrid Polymer
|
16-60
|
|
45
|
3.0
|
low
|
high
|
14-17 |
med. |
mfd. |
Composite paint
removal,
adhesive deflash |
|
Corn Cob
|
8-40
|
|
35-45
|
2.0-4.5
|
med.
|
low
|
4-5 |
low |
b-p |
Removing paint
from
delicate surfaces |
=Angular = Spherical nat.=Natural b-p=By-product mfd.=Manufactured
•Consult OSHA regulations before using silica sand as a blast abrasive.
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