Download Catalog - Econoline

Abrasive MediaAbrasives OverviewEconoline Abrasive Products strives to maintain a varied inventory of blasting abrasives. Utilizing a worldwide base of reputablesuppliers, Econoline is able to provide consistent delivery of quality abrasive products. We look forward to servicing yourabrasive needs.Cleaning, Finishingand PeeningCleaning: Abrasive blasting removes corrosion oxides, fluxslag, heat treat scale, surface discoloration and paint.Finishing: Blasting can impart a shiny-bright, matte oretched surface to your project and will blend defects andmarks.Peening: Peening can increase the fatigue life of your workpiece by hammering to leave the surface under residualcompressive stress.Choosing the RightMedia TypeThe type of abrasive determines cost and effectivenessof the blast-cleaning process. The variables are quality offinish desired and the time required to obtain that finish.Start with a lasting, durable abrasive using the smallestsize that will do the job, then work up to the largest sizethat does an acceptable job in the shortest time.Grading Abrasive MediaAbrasive media is graded based on mesh size. Meshsize refers to the number of holes in a 1” square screen.As mesh size gets larger, the number of holes per inchincreases, the size of each individual hole decreases, andthe media becomes finer. Size comparisons shown inchart at right.Factors ThatDetermine EfficiencyShape: Particles can either be smooth or sharp. Smooth,round particles hammer the base material to impart apeened finish and to dislodge brittle scale better thansharp particles do. Sharp edged particles remove materialfrom your project quickly, leaving an etched or matte finish.Size: The size of the particles determines the finishedroughness of your work. Large particles bring more kineticenergy to the work surface, but excessively large particlesremove more material than small ones. As the abrasiveworks, particles break into smaller and smaller sizes.Hardness: The harder the abrasive, the deeper itpenetrates and the faster it works. Soft abrasives deformand waste kinetic energy. Brittle abrasive wastes energy byfracturing during the blasting process.Mass: For equal size, denser particles have more kineticenergy and work faster than particles that are less dense.Break Down Rate: This is the rate of fracture of theabrasive media during blasting. The more resistant toimpact fracture, the more consistent the blasting action.Mesh Screen Size Comparison16-40 Ground coffee30-50 Fine ground pepper30-80 Table salt50-80 Granulated sugarGeneral Application Guide for Abrasive Media*1 = best2 = effective3 = acceptableApplicationETCH PEEN DEBURR REMOVE PAINT CLEANSTEEL123Silicon CarbideAluminum OxideBlack Beauty SlagCast S.S. ShotSteel ShotGlass BeadSteel GritSilicon CarbideAluminum OxideSilicon CarbideAluminum OxideBlack Beauty SlagSilicon CarbideAluminum OxideGlass BeadALUMINUM123Ground GlassGlass/Aluminum OxideAluminum OxideGlass BeadAgricultural ShellsPlastic GritAgricultural ShellsPlastic GritGlass/Aluminum OxideGlass BeadSoda BlastAgricultural ShellsGlass BeadSoda BlastPlastic GritPLASTIC123Ground GlassGlass/Aluminum OxidePlastic GritGlass BeadPlastic GritAgricultural ShellsPlastic GritAgricultural ShellsGlass/Aluminum OxidePlastic GritSoda BlastAgricultural ShellsSoda BlastPlastic GritAgricultural ShellsWOOD123Plastic GritAgricultural ShellsSoda BlastN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/ASoda BlastPlastic GritGlass BeadSoda BlastPlastic GritGlass Bead*This chart is for comparitive purposes only.32 Abrasive Media