White fused alumina blasting media & Glass beads blasting media

Sandblasting is a common method of surface treatment. It works for various materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum alloy, non-ferrous metal alloy, glass, stone, etc. What are the differences between white fused alumina and glass beads blasting media? And what are their uses and effects? Let’s explore the differences of them.

Firstly, the difference in material between white fused alumina and glass beads blasting media.

The main component of white fused alumina is Al2O3. It is an alumina abrasive that has been electrofused at high temperature. Its hardness belongs to the top of the corundum series. Mohs hardness 9.0. The main component of glass beads is SiO2. It comes from silica sand in nature. Its hardness is lower than that of artificial corundum and natural garnet. Mohs hardness 6-7.

Secondly, the physical forms of white fused alumina and glass beads are different.

The abrasive shape of white corundum is irregular particles with multiple edges and edges. The abrasive particles of glass beads are in the form of spherical or nearly spherical microbeads.

Again, the mechanism of white aluminum oxide sandblasting and glass bead sandblasting is different from that of the workpiece surface.

During the sandblasting process of white fused alumina, its sharp edges have an etching effect on the workpiece. That can be understood as the sharp edges scratching the metal surface. During the sandblasting process of glass beads, it is the glass microbeads that impact the surface of the workpiece, causing micro deformation on the surface of the workpiece.

Then, the efficiency and effect of white aluminum oxide blasting and glass beads blasting are different.

White fused alumina is a high hardness and sharp abrasive that creates a matte sandblasting effect on metals or stainless steel. The main function is to improve roughness and increase the adhesion of the rear paint surface. Glass beads are relatively gentle abrasives that do not cause damage to metals and can also achieve the effect of eliminating surface stress. After sandblasting, the surface of the workpiece becomes brighter.

In addition, white fused aluminum oxide sandblasting and glass bead sandblasting are suitable for different surface treatment objects.

WFA is suitable for surface treatment of almost all metals, alloys, hard alloys, daily glass, and non-metallic materials. Glass beads are more suitable for sandblasting stainless steel and aluminum alloys. Not suitable for materials such as carbon steel and titanium alloys.

Finally, the particle sizes of white fused aluminum oxide and glass beads are different.

White fused alumina :

Grain size sand: 12 # 14 # 16 # 20 # 24 # 36 # 40 # 46 # 54 # 60 # 70 # 80 # 90 # 100 # 120 # 150 # 180 # 220#
Micro powder: 240 # 280 # 320 # 360 # 400 # 500 # 600 # 700 # 800 # 1000 # 1200 # 1500 # 2000 # 2500 # 3000 # 4000 # 6000 # 8000 # 10000#

Glass beads:

20-30 # 30-40 # 40-50 # 50-70 # 60-80 # 70-100 # 80-120 # 100-170 # 120-200 # 140-230# 170-325# 325#-0