Sandblasting Grit Sizes ExplainedSandblasting Abrasives

27 May.,2024

 

Sandblasting Grit Sizes ExplainedSandblasting Abrasives

When it comes to choosing a grit size, it helps to have a mental image to guide you.  The following explanation is a &#;quick and dirty,&#; non technical, simple and easy explanation.

Sandblasting Grit Sizes ExplainedSandblasting Abrasives

When it comes to choosing a grit size, it helps to have a mental image to guide you.  The following explanation is a &#;quick and dirty,&#; non technical, simple and easy explanation.

First, know that our ANSI grit sizes will match sandpaper grits in a hardware store.  So a 60 grit sandpaper will have particles very similar to our 60 grit loose abrasive &#; regardless if it is a silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.  If you prefer to view a physical representation, go to a hardware store and take a close look at the particles on a variety of sandpapers.  You will see for example, that a 600 grit sandpaper has very fine particles imbedded in it, whereas an 8 sandpaper has coarse, larger particles.

Second, imagine you held a small 1&#; x 1&#; square piece of mesh (screen material) in the palm of your hand.  An 8 grit will pass through a screen with 8 holes in that 1&#; square mesh.  A finer 240 grit will pass through a screen with 240 smaller holes in the same 1&#; square mesh.   In other words, the finer the particle size, the smaller the holes must be on that 1&#; square piece of mesh for particles to pass through, and that means there will be lots more holes in the mesh.

Bottom line:  An 8 grit is much coarser than a 360 grit.  Low number = coarser grain size.  As grit size increases in grit number, it decreases in physical size, becoming finer and finer until we are dealing with polishing powders.

We sell sandblasting gritssandblasting grits and powders online in a variety of different abrasive medias.

How to choose the correct media to sandblast?

Media

Description

Used for

Hardness

Shape

Glass Beads

Glass Beads are manufactured into preformed ball shapes, which are very effective in leaving very smooth surfaces. It produces a super smooth and brighter finish compared to angular abrasives. Glass Beads can be recycled approximately up to 30 times.

Commonly used for automotive restoration, stainless steel fabrication, polishing of castings, and light deburring of metal molds and parts.

6-6

Round

Steel Shot

Steel Shot is manufactured into a spherical pellet-type abrasive made from carbon steel. It often produces a very smooth surface after use.

Steel shot abrasive is often used in cleaning and polishing metal surfaces and parts in automotive, aerospace, construction, foundry, shipbuilding, rail, and more.

40-51 HRC

Spherical

Steel Grit

It is softer than Aluminum Oxide Grit but still has a very high hardness quality. It has very fast stripping action and shot-peening applications.

It is commonly used in cleaning, etching, and surface preparations.

40-65 HRC

Angular

Corn Cob Grit

Corn Cob Grit is an organic, soft, and natural abrasive from hard cob. It is tumbling and absorbent that dries surfaces. Corn cob grit is non-toxic and safe for operators.

It is best used on wood surfaces and does not create any damage on the treated surface. It is used on oily and moist surfaces that quickly absorb it while finishing rough parts.

4-4.5

Ground, Angular shape

Walnut Shell Grit

It is a very versatile soft abrasive, organic, and biodegradable. Same as corn cob, it is non-toxic and imposes no hazard to health.

Best used in stripping and cleaning delicate surfaces and parts, Walnut Shell Grit provides effective applications such as cleaning hardwoods and aircraft and automotive stripping.

4.5-5

Angular

Copper Slag / Iron Silicate

In contrast to its name, it contains almost no copper. It is referred to as the best abrasive to use when ranked on cutting speed and cost per sq. ft.

It comes in an extra fine-grade abrasive that is used for surface blast-cleaning carpets, plastic, and wood.

7

Angular

Garnet

Garnet is a natural silicate mineral deposit. It has a high stripping rate, very low dust and the lowest consumption rate.

Mainly used for wet or dry sandblasting and offers excellent coating preparation and adhesion properties.

6.5 - 7.5

Angular to Subangular

First, know that our ANSI grit sizes will match sandpaper grits in a hardware store.  So a 60 grit sandpaper will have particles very similar to our 60 grit loose abrasive &#; regardless if it is a silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.  If you prefer to view a physical representation, go to a hardware store and take a close look at the particles on a variety of sandpapers.  You will see for example, that a 600 grit sandpaper has very fine particles imbedded in it, whereas an 8 sandpaper has coarse, larger particles.

Second, imagine you held a small 1&#; x 1&#; square piece of mesh (screen material) in the palm of your hand.  An 8 grit will pass through a screen with 8 holes in that 1&#; square mesh.  A finer 240 grit will pass through a screen with 240 smaller holes in the same 1&#; square mesh.   In other words, the finer the particle size, the smaller the holes must be on that 1&#; square piece of mesh for particles to pass through, and that means there will be lots more holes in the mesh.

Bottom line:  An 8 grit is much coarser than a 360 grit.  Low number = coarser grain size.  As grit size increases in grit number, it decreases in physical size, becoming finer and finer until we are dealing with polishing powders.

We sell sandblasting grits and powders online in a variety of different abrasive medias.

How to choose the correct media to sandblast?

Media

Description

Used for

Hardness

Shape

Glass Beads

Glass Beads are manufactured into preformed ball shapes, which are very effective in leaving very smooth surfaces. It produces a super smooth and brighter finish compared to angular abrasives. Glass Beads can be recycled approximately up to 30 times.

Commonly used for automotive restoration, stainless steel fabrication, polishing of castings, and light deburring of metal molds and parts.

6-6

Round

Steel Shot

Steel Shot is manufactured into a spherical pellet-type abrasive made from carbon steel. It often produces a very smooth surface after use.

Steel shot abrasive is often used in cleaning and polishing metal surfaces and parts in automotive, aerospace, construction, foundry, shipbuilding, rail, and more.

40-51 HRC

Spherical

Steel Grit

It is softer than Aluminum Oxide Grit but still has a very high hardness quality. It has very fast stripping action and shot-peening applications.

It is commonly used in cleaning, etching, and surface preparations.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website crushed glass blast media.

40-65 HRC

Angular

Corn Cob Grit

Corn Cob Grit is an organic, soft, and natural abrasive from hard cob. It is tumbling and absorbent that dries surfaces. Corn cob grit is non-toxic and safe for operators.

It is best used on wood surfaces and does not create any damage on the treated surface. It is used on oily and moist surfaces that quickly absorb it while finishing rough parts.

4-4.5

Ground, Angular shape

Walnut Shell Grit

It is a very versatile soft abrasive, organic, and biodegradable. Same as corn cob, it is non-toxic and imposes no hazard to health.

Best used in stripping and cleaning delicate surfaces and parts, Walnut Shell Grit provides effective applications such as cleaning hardwoods and aircraft and automotive stripping.

4.5-5

Angular

Copper Slag / Iron Silicate

In contrast to its name, it contains almost no copper. It is referred to as the best abrasive to use when ranked on cutting speed and cost per sq. ft.

It comes in an extra fine-grade abrasive that is used for surface blast-cleaning carpets, plastic, and wood.

7

Angular

Garnet

Garnet is a natural silicate mineral deposit. It has a high stripping rate, very low dust and the lowest consumption rate.

Mainly used for wet or dry sandblasting and offers excellent coating preparation and adhesion properties.

6.5 - 7.5

Angular to Subangular

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