How to choose suitable abrasive types for sandblasting processing in Dalian

1、 Overview of Sandblasting Processing

Dalian sandblasting processing is a surface treatment technology that uses high-speed abrasive particles to impact the surface of the workpiece, achieving cleaning, deburring, rust removal, surface roughening, or finishing. This processing method is widely used for surface treatment of various materials such as metal, glass, plastic, stone, etc. Choosing the appropriate abrasive type is one of the key factors for successful sandblasting processing, which directly affects the processing effect, efficiency, and cost.

2、 Basic principles for abrasive selection

1. Material characteristics of the workpiece

The hardness, brittleness, and surface requirements of different materials determine the choice of abrasive. For metal materials with high hardness, it is usually necessary to choose abrasives with equivalent hardness; For soft materials such as aluminum or plastic, softer abrasives should be selected to avoid excessive surface damage.

2. Processing purpose

Different types of abrasives are required for different processing purposes such as cleaning, rust removal, surface roughening, and polishing. Rust removal usually requires harder abrasives, while polishing requires finer abrasives.

3. Economic considerations

The cost of abrasives, the number of times they can be recycled, and processing efficiency are all economic factors that need to be considered. Although some abrasives have a high unit price, they can be recycled multiple times and may be more economical in the long run.

4. Environmental requirements

Some abrasives may contain harmful substances or generate dust pollution, so special attention should be paid to selecting environmentally friendly abrasives in situations with strict environmental requirements.

3、 Common types of abrasives and their applicable scenarios

1. Metal abrasives

(1) Steel sand

Features: High hardness, wear-resistant, recyclable

Purpose: Heavy duty rust removal, surface strengthening

Applicable materials: steel, castings

Advantages: Long service life, good economy

Disadvantage: May be embedded with soft materials

(2) Steel shot

Features: Spherical particles, uniform impact force

Usage: Surface strengthening, light decoration

Applicable materials: metal parts

Advantages: Generate a more uniform surface

Disadvantage: The rust removal effect is not as good as that of angular abrasives

(3) Stainless steel pellets

Features: Corrosion resistant, pollution-free

Application: Surface treatment of stainless steel and aluminum alloy

Advantages: Will not cause iron pollution

Disadvantage: High cost

2. Mineral abrasives

(1) Aluminum oxide (corundum)

Features: High hardness and sharpness

Usage: Metal rust removal, glass etching

Advantages: High processing efficiency

Disadvantage: High dust content

(2) Silicon carbide

Features: Super hard, sharp

Application: Processing of hard alloys and ceramics

Advantages: Good processing effect on hard materials

Disadvantage: High cost

(3) Quartz sand

Features: Natural, low cost

Purpose: General rust removal and cleaning

Advantages: Economy

Disadvantage: The risk of silicosis has gradually been eliminated

3. Plant based abrasives

(1) Walnut shell

Features: Soft, organic

Usage: Cleaning of plastics and electronic components

Advantages: No damage to precision components

Disadvantage: Low processing efficiency

(2) Corn cob

Features: Very soft, environmentally friendly

Purpose: Cleaning of food machinery

Advantages: Non polluting

Disadvantage: Fast wear and tear

4. Synthetic abrasives

(1) Plastic abrasive

Features: Adjustable hardness

Application: Surface treatment for automobiles and aviation

Advantages: No damage to the substrate

Disadvantage: High cost

(2) Glass beads

Features: spherical, pollution-free

Purpose: Polishing and deburring of stainless steel

Advantages: Obtain a shiny surface

Disadvantage: produces sharp particles after crushing

4、 Selection of Abrasive Technical Parameters

1. Granularity selection

The abrasive particle size directly affects the processing effect and surface roughness:

Coarse particle size (12-80 mesh): Quickly remove thick oxide skin

Medium particle size (80-120 mesh): General surface treatment

Fine grained (over 120 mesh): Fine polishing

2. Hardness selection

The abrasive hardness should be slightly higher than the workpiece hardness, but special attention should be paid to avoiding excessive impact when processing soft materials.

3. Shape selection

Angular shape: Strong cutting ability, suitable for rust removal

Spherical: uniform impact, suitable for polishing

Irregular shape: Good overall performance

5、 Abrasive selection for special application scenarios

1. Aerospace field

Stainless steel pellets or special ceramic abrasives are usually selected, which require no iron pollution and accurate control of surface quality.

2. Electronic industry

Use plastic abrasives or very fine glass beads to avoid static electricity and particle residue.

3. Food machinery

Non toxic abrasives such as specific stainless steel pellets or ceramic abrasives must be used.

4. Cultural relic restoration

Use very soft abrasives such as walnut shell powder or special plastic abrasives to avoid damaging the surface of cultural relics.

6、 Precautions for using abrasives

Safety protection: Regardless of the type of abrasive used, respiratory and eye protection must be taken into account.

Equipment matching: Different abrasives have different requirements for the type and parameters of sandblasting machines.

Recycling: Metal abrasives are usually recyclable, but they need to be screened regularly to remove broken particles.

Environmental protection treatment: After use, abrasives should be treated according to regulations, especially those containing harmful substances.

Storage conditions: Keep the abrasive dry to prevent clumping or oxidation.

Choosing the appropriate sandblasting abrasive requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. In practical applications, it is often necessary to determine the best solution through experiments. With the advancement of technology, more new types of abrasives will continue to emerge, providing more choices for sandblasting processing.