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Abrasive blasting is a common finishing method used in industrial manufacturing operations. Essentially, this process involves rapidly shooting an abrasive media at the workpieces in an effort to shave off both dirt and anomalies such as paint or coating. There are numerous different kinds of blasting media that can be used, each best suited for specific situations and on specific kinds of workpieces. One of the most common types of media used in abrasive blasting is aluminum oxide and it just may find a way into your parts finishing processes due to its strength and cost-efficiency.
A Hardy Abrasive Media
The most notable benefit to using aluminium oxide is that it is a hardy and aggressive blasting media. This means that is stronger than most other kinds of media and therefore is better suited to scraping off tough stains and dirt. Due to this property, it is also much less likely to shatter itself and generate dust. Aluminum oxide is resistant to rust, meaning that it can be used in wet blasting, abrasive blasting that uses water over air, and it also reduces the risk of rust being rubbed off it onto the workpieces. Aluminum oxide’s hardness can also be a disadvantage if the workpieces require a more delicate touch, so it is best to avoid this media in those situations.
Benefits in Recyclability
Another major benefit to using aluminum oxide is that it is among the most cost-effective types of blasting media. This is primarily due to the fact that it can be used multiple times before needing to be cycled out of the equipment system. Aluminum oxide can be recycled multiple times over, so the cost of blasting media in the long term is reduced. It can also be recycled after it’s served its purpose, making it more environmentally friendly and saving you a little bit on disposal costs.
Overall, aluminum oxide has many pros and cons only in certain kinds of finishing operations and when used with certain kinds of workpieces. If you are a large facility finishing parts en masse, it is an excellent choice for blasting media. If you are interested in purchasing this kind of blasting media and the equipment that is designed to best use it, please call us of Mikro Industrial Finishing at (860) 875-6357.
