The selection of abrasive and a particular mesh size depends upon the process requirement like the job hardness, surface finish required after blast cleaning and upon the blasting application. Abrasive media are available in different grain sizes according to respective mesh / sieve sizes.



Various abrasive medias most commonly available and their application are as under :



1. Chilled Iron Grit : Ideally suited for fast cleaning of heavy contaminations on ferrous castings, forgings, fabricated structures etc. Not recommended on non-ferrous components as surface blasted may become iron contaminated. C.i. grit is hard dense, angular shape, lower breakage, produces low dust, longer recycle life.
      Mesh Size : 8 – 120; Size : 2.0 – 0.09 mm


 

2. Steel Grit : Suitable for obtaining consistent surface roughness on ferrous castings, fabricated parts. But not suitable on non ferrous parts like aluminum, brass, wood, plastic etc. Steel grit is hard, dense, angular shape, lower breakage, produces low dust, longer recycle life.
       Mesh Size : 12 – 52; Size : 1.4 – 0.30 mm

 

3. Chilled Iron Shots : Used for general purpose cleaning, de-scaling, de-burring, de-flashing, shot peening on components and can be used for commercial cleaning on casting of aluminum and zinc. Chilled iron shots are hard, dense, spherical shape, lower breakage, produces low dust, longer recycle life.
      Mesh Size : 8 – 52; Size : 2.0 – 0.30 mm
 

 

4. Steel Shots : Suited for general purpose cleaning, de-scaling, de-burring, de-flashing, shot peening on components of steel. Can also be used in commercial cleaning on casting of aluminum and zinc. Steel shots are hard, dense, spherical shape, lower breakage, produces low dust, longer recycle life.
      Mesh Size : 8 – 52; Size : 2.0 – 0.30 mm
 

5. S.S. Shots : Used for special purpose cleaning, de-scaling, de-burring, de-flashing, finishing, shot peening, on ferrous and non ferrous components without the fear of iron contamination on the treated surface. S.s. shots are hard, dense, spherical shape, lower breakage, produces low dust, longest recycle life.


Mesh Size : S – 550 To S – 070; Size : 1.4 – 0.18 mm

 

6. Steel Cut Wire Shots : Mostly used for general purpose cleaning, de-scaling, de-burring, de-flashing, shot peening on components of steel. Can also be used for commercial cleaning on casting of aluminum and zinc. Steel cut wire is hard, dense, pellet shape, lower breakage, produces low dust, longer recycle life.
       Mesh Size : Cw 54 – 12 ; Size : 1.4 – 0.30 mm

 

7. Aluminum Oxide : Available in both commercial and virgin (pure) grade. Generally used for both dry and wet blasting purpose. Recommended for both ferrous and non ferrous components without the fear of iron contamination on the treated parts. Aluminum oxide is hard, brittle, angular shape, high breakage, produces moderate dust, low recycle life.
      Mesh Size : 12 – 240 ; Size : 1.4 – 0.06 mm

 

8. Silicon Carbide : Generally used for both dry and wet blasting purpose. Recommended for hardened components of steel alloys. Not recommended for parts of aluminum , zinc and brass. Silicon carbide is hard, brittle, angular shape, high breakage, produces moderate dust, low recycle life.
      Mesh Size : 12 – 240 ; Size : 1.4 – 0.06 mm
 

9. Glass Beads : Suitable for both dry and wet process to gently clean, de-scale, de-flash, de-burr or shot peen at low intensity on ss, alloy steel where material removal allowed is negligible. Glass beads are spherical shape, low breakage, produces lowest dust, long recycle life, high cost.
      Mesh Size : 18 – 350 ; Size : 0.85 – 0.04 mm

10. Plastic Grit / Paint – O – Clean Grit : Suitable for precise de-scaling, de-burring, de-flashing, shining or removal of old paint, varnish on precision components while keeping the dimensional tolerances and finish intact. Plastic grit / paint – o – clean grit is soft, low, density, angular shape, lowest breakage, produces lowest dust, longer recycle time.
       Mesh Size : 18 – 36 ; Size : 0.85 – 0.42 mm