There are many choices when it comes to choosing blast media, but there’s one that stands above the rest in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness – aluminum oxide blast media.
With so many different options out there, it can be difficult to choose the right one, but once you learn about its benefits, you’ll want to stick with aluminum oxide blasting solutions. Learn more here!
Is aluminum oxide blast media safe?
While aluminum oxide blasting media isn’t as dangerous as sand or glass beads, it can still be a bit of a concern if you don’t wear safety gear when working with it. Wear all appropriate clothing and masks to avoid inhaling too much aluminum oxide during work.
Most cases of exposure are through inhalation rather than contact with skin, so be careful how you handle your equipment. If aluminum oxide does touch your skin, wash it off quickly to avoid irritation and further exposure.
What is aluminum oxide blast media?
Aluminum oxide blast media, also called aluminum oxide abrasive, is a common material used in blasting applications. This type of blast media can be used for both cold and hot abrasive blasting because it has excellent thermal stability, thermal shock resistance and good impact strength.
Aluminum oxide works well with a variety of blasting agents including saltwater or water-based compounds. If you’re working on a project that requires an abrasive material that won’t melt or degrade when applied with hot air (i.e., direct blast), aluminum oxide might be your best option.
Is aluminum oxide good for sandblasting?
Aluminum oxide, or aluminum oxide blast media as it’s more commonly known, has become synonymous with sandblasting. It is far and away one of the most common types of blast media used by sandblasters today.
Used to polish, clean and roughen a surface so that paint or adhesives will adhere better when applied, aluminum oxide was first discovered in 1830 in Hamburg, Germany by Dr. Klaus Christopher Zeise who eventually named it aluminum oxide—the aluminum portion referring to its lightness while oxide refers to its chemical makeup. That same year he patented his discovery as a new form of alumina.
What are aluminum oxide abrasives used for?
Aluminum oxide blast media and abrasives are used in a variety of industries, from stone masonry to wood finishing. Aluminum oxide is a solid aluminum oxide abrasive that’s a mixture of aluminum powder and silicon dioxide powder. It gives you consistent particle sizes between 10-100μm and produces longer life than steel shot or garnet because of its increased hardness.
The particle sizes it produces also give aluminum oxide grit excellent wear resistance, meaning your blasting equipment lasts longer. And as an added bonus, it can be recycled over and over again after blasting if you don’t contaminate with other types of metals!
Aluminum oxide blast media sizes
Aluminum oxide blast media comes in many different sizes. Depending on your project, you’ll want to choose a media that’s appropriate for it. If you’re looking to remove paint or rust from a small door, you may use 2 or 3 pounds of blast media while blasting a huge roller shutter may require between 75 and 100 pounds.
Choose blast media carefully: Some manufacturers include chromium in their products, which can be harmful if inhaled; often, people with chromium sensitivities are able to work with aluminum oxide because there’s no danger of inhaling anything harmful. When choosing your own aluminum oxide media sizes, consult an expert before purchasing so you know what material will work best for your project and isn’t likely to cause any harm if you’ve got sensitive skin or breathing issues.
What is 70 grit aluminum oxide blast media used for?
70 grit aluminum oxide blast media (grit refers to how fine or coarse a material is, which corresponds to its fineness) can be used in different types of machining processes. Due to its high resistance to abrasion, it’s often used in machining applications involving metal or concrete materials.
For example, if you’re working with steel that needs smoothing or sanding down and don’t want to remove too much material at once, aluminum oxide blast media may be an ideal choice. In certain situations such as when you need a really thorough surface finish (such as on cast-iron materials), using a finer grit could also make sense. Other times, an 80 grit aluminum oxide blasting sand may be called for.
What is 80 grit aluminum oxide blast media used for?
While many people are familiar with 70-grit aluminum oxide and 40-grit aluminum oxide, fewer know what a higher grit means in terms of working abrasive. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that 80 grit will remove more material in less time than 40 grit. But how much more?
The difference between 40 and 80 grit abrasives can mean up to 50% higher metal removal rates. When you’re trying to blast through corrosion or rust, it helps to have as sharp an edge as possible; that’s why professional operators choose 80-grit aluminum oxide blast media over lower grits like 50 or 60 when high-performance blasting is needed.
What is 100 grit aluminum oxide blast media used for?
100 grit aluminum oxide blast media has a little more wear and tear than any other kind of media. It’s perfect for taking down surfaces and smoothing out walls without destroying them completely. 100 grit aluminum oxide blast media doesn’t give off as much residue as other types of materials, but it also doesn’t work as well at getting into corners or cracks.
Aluminum oxide produces a lot of heat, which makes it great for getting rid of rust, but it can also make it risky to use on softer metals or stone surfaces.
What is 120 grit aluminum oxide blast media used for?
Aluminum oxide blast media is used to remove corrosion, scale, and coatings from a surface prior to coating or adhering a sealant. Aluminum oxide produces very little dust when used in an aluminum blast cabinet and typically has a life span of 20–40 blasting hours.
When choosing your aluminum oxide blast media, you should consider how you will be using it, what type of material it will be applied to, and how long you expect it to last. Other factors such as size are also important when choosing a particular brand. If you plan on using your own blast cabinet, make sure that it can handle 120 grit aluminum oxide before making your purchase.
What is 220 grit aluminum oxide blast media used for?
220 grit aluminum oxide blast media is a standard, medium-coarse abrasive blast media that’s used on medium to heavy surface rust, mill scale and corrosion. It can be used on all ferrous metals except aluminum and magnesium. It works well on cast iron, carbon steel and tool steel. Aluminum oxide won’t remove paint but will remove oil, grease, rust and mill scale with ease.
