The Complete Guide to Abrasive Blasting Media: Types, Uses, and Benefits

Abrasive blasting media plays a crucial role in industrial cleaning, surface preparation, and finishing. Whether you’re cleaning equipment, preparing surfaces for coatings, or removing contaminants, choosing the right abrasive media is essential to achieving quality results. At UniWest, we offer a variety of abrasive blasting media designed to meet your specific needs, including sandblasting supplies, foundry products, and industrial chemicals. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of abrasive blasting media and how to choose the best one for your project.

What Is Abrasive Blasting Media?

Abrasive blasting media refers to the materials used in abrasive blasting, a process where high-pressure air or water is used to force abrasive particles against a surface to clean, smooth, or etch it. Abrasive blasting is a versatile method used in a wide range of industries, from metal finishing to foundry applications. The type of abrasive media you use can significantly impact the effectiveness, speed, and cost of the blasting process.

At UniWest, we stock a wide variety of abrasive blasting media to suit different applications. These products include sandblasting supplies, industrial sands, and cutting-edge waterjet cutting abrasives. Let’s take a closer look at the most commonly used abrasive blasting media.

1. Black Silicon Carbide (SC)

Black Silicon Carbide (SiC) is a highly durable abrasive blasting media known for its extreme hardness and high thermal conductivity. It is ideal for heavy-duty applications. Black Silicon Carbide is commonly used in a variety of industrial processes, including grinding wheels, friction materials, and blasting compounds. It is also effective for lapping, polishing, and creating non-slip surfaces. At UniWest, we offer Black Silicon Carbide in multiple grit sizes, providing reliable performance for demanding surface preparation tasks.

2. Aluminum Oxide

Aluminum oxide is a durable and aggressive abrasive that’s perfect for heavy-duty applications. It is used in applications where high impact is required, such as removing rust or scaling from metal surfaces. Aluminum oxide is often chosen for its sharp edges and ability to last longer than other abrasives, making it an economical choice for projects requiring repeated use. This abrasive media can also be recycled, reducing costs over time. At UniWest, we off Brown Aluminum Oxide and White Aluminum Oxide in multiple grit sizes.

3. Glass Beads

Glass beads are a softer alternative to other abrasive media, making them ideal for delicate surface preparation and finishing. They are commonly used in applications like cleaning and finishing aluminum and other soft metals, as well as creating a smooth, satin finish on surfaces. Glass beads are a great choice for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and even medical device manufacturing, where the finish quality matters. At UniWest, we carry a range of glass bead blasting options.

4. Steel Shot & Steel Grit

Steel shot and steel grit are used in industrial applications where high impact and durability are needed. Steel shot is typically used for cleaning or shot peening processes, while steel grit is ideal for more aggressive surface preparation like removing rust or scale from steel surfaces. These abrasives are perfect for metal finishing and are commonly used in automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industries. The strength and recyclability of steel shot and grit make them an ideal choice for heavy-duty blasting.

5. Plastic Media

Plastic media is a non-abrasive blasting material used primarily for delicate and precise surface finishing. It is softer than other abrasives and is frequently used in applications where the goal is to clean or finish without damaging the underlying material. Plastic media is commonly used for cleaning sensitive components like electrical parts or delicate automotive components.

6. Corn Cob Grit

Corn cob grit is an organic abrasive made from ground corn cobs. This media is used for polishing and cleaning softer materials like wood, rubber, and plastics. Corn cob grit is often used in the automotive and manufacturing industries, where gentle polishing or cleaning is required without damaging the substrate.

7. Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a mild abrasive ideal for delicate or environmentally sensitive applications. It is commonly used for cleaning without damaging the underlying surface, making it perfect for tasks like automotive paint removal, graffiti removal, and cleaning sensitive equipment such as food processing machinery. Its eco-friendly nature makes it a preferred choice in industries focusing on sustainability.

8. Starblast™

Starblast™ is a versatile abrasive made from staurolite sands, ideal for a wide range of surface preparation tasks. It is commonly used in steel fabrication, bridge maintenance, and for removing rust, mill scale, and weathered coatings. Starblast™ is available in multiple grades to suit various applications, with Starblast™ Ultra being more aggressive for heavy rust and paint removal. This abrasive is highly effective for creating a clean surface with an excellent profile for coating adhesion. At UniWest, we offer Starblast™ in multiple grit sizes to meet your specific needs.

9. Walnut Shell

ECO-SHELL ground walnut shells are a biodegradable and environmentally safe abrasive ideal for cleaning delicate surfaces without causing damage. This non-toxic abrasive is commonly used for polishing, deburring, and cleaning fine metals, alloys, mechanical parts, and even items like glass lenses and stones. Walnut shell media is durable and can be reused multiple times, making it a cost-effective solution for industries requiring a gentle but effective abrasive. At UniWest, we provide ECO-SHELL walnut shell abrasive in multiple sizes to suit your specific application.

10. Green Diamond Nickel Slag

Green Diamond Nickel Slag is a tough and durable abrasive that excels in a wide range of industrial applications. Known for its fast cutting ability, it is commonly used for removing tough permanent bonds, light paint, and rust. This abrasive is free from silica, making it a safer option compared to other blasting media. Green Diamond also provides superior performance with its sharp, angular edges and consistent particle size. At UniWest, we offer Green Diamond Nickel Slag in multiple grit sizes, designed to handle even the toughest surface preparation jobs.

11. Crushed Glass

Crushed Glass is an environmentally friendly abrasive made from recycled glass products, providing a safe and effective alternative to traditional abrasives. It is completely inert, containing less than 1% free silica, and produces less dust, making it safer for both the environment and workers. Crushed glass is ideal for cleaning delicate surfaces and offers fast performance, making it suitable for a variety of industries, including metal finishing and cleaning. At UniWest, we offer Crushed Glass in multiple sizes, designed to meet your specific blasting needs.

12. Coal Slag: Black Magic® & Black Beauty® Coal Slag

Coal Slag, including Black Magic® and Black Beauty®, is a powerful abrasive known for its fast cleaning and superior performance. It is commonly used for surface preparation, offering a high-profile surface ideal for coating adhesion. Black Magic® is perfect for fast cleaning, while Black Beauty® is better suited for light blasting applications that require a clean surface with minimal anchor profile. Both abrasives are non-hazardous and feature low free silica, making them safer options for industrial blasting. Their low friability ensures extended media life, making them an economical choice for repeated use. At UniWest, we offer both Black Magic® and Black Beauty® Coal Slag in multiple grit sizes to meet your blasting needs.

13. Copper Slag: SHARPSHOT® Iron Silicate

SHARPSHOT® Iron Silicate is a highly effective Copper Slag abrasive used for surface preparation in shipyards and heavy industrial applications. It is known for its fast cutting speed and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice for contractors and manufacturers. SHARPSHOT® is environmentally friendly and approved for recycling into Portland cement, adding an eco-friendly aspect to its impressive performance. It is a durable abrasive, available in multiple sizes, and is perfect for removing rust, paint, and other surface contaminants. At UniWest, we offer SHARPSHOT® in various grit sizes to meet your specific surface preparation needs.

Choosing the Right Abrasive Blasting Media

When selecting abrasive blasting media for your project, it’s important to consider factors such as the type of material you’re blasting, the desired surface finish, and whether or not the media is recyclable. Each abrasive has unique properties that make it suitable for specific applications, so understanding the differences between these materials is key to choosing the right one.

At UniWest, we offer a broad range of abrasive blasting media to suit all kinds of surface preparation and finishing needs. Whether you need high-performance abrasives like aluminum oxide and steel grit or more specialized options like glass beads and plastic media, we have the products you need to get the job done.

Why Choose Blastworks

Abrasive blasting media is a crucial component of industrial cleaning and surface preparation. At UniWest, we provide high-quality abrasive media and equipment designed to meet the needs of various industries, including metal finishing, automotive, and foundry work. With our extensive range of blasting media, including sandblasting equipment, foundry supplies, and waterjet cutting abrasives, we can help you find the perfect solution for your surface preparation needs.

If you need assistance choosing the right abrasive blasting media for your project, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts. We also offer on-site blasting evaluations and troubleshooting services to ensure you get the most out of your equipment.