Abrasives

Abrasives are materials that are used in various blasting processes to clean, process or improve surfaces. They play an important role in industrial applications such as sandblasting, shot blasting and wheel blasting. These processes are used to remove old coatings, deburr, smooth or roughen surfaces, as well as for surface preparation prior to painting, coating or bonding.

There are a variety of blasting media that can be selected depending on the application and the desired result. Frequently used blasting media include

- Steel shot: this abrasive consists of small steel particles and is often used for derusting and cleaning metal surfaces.

- Glass beads: Glass beads are often used in shot blasting and produce a smooth, shiny surface without damaging the workpiece. They are often used for finer surface finishes.

- Aluminum oxide: Aluminum oxide is a hard and durable abrasive used for removing coatings, deburring metal parts and surface finishing in various industries.

- Corundum: Corundum is an abrasive blasting medium made from natural or synthetic aluminum oxide. It is used for sandblasting to process hard surfaces such as concrete, stone or metal.

- Plastic granulate: This abrasive is made from recycled plastics and is suitable for delicate surfaces as it does not cause any damage. It is often used for paint stripping, deburring and cleaning plastic parts.

Choosing the right abrasive depends on various factors, including the material of the workpiece, the desired surface structure, the surface cleanliness requirements and the environmental impact. It is important to carefully select the appropriate blast media according to the specific requirements of the application to achieve optimal results and maximize the life of the equipment.

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This definition is taken from the surface technology encyclopedia from Surface Technology Online. You can find many more technical terms from the surface technology industry in our lexicon overview.

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