Tag Archives: Blast Media

Shot Blasting

Structural Steel FAQ, Part 6 – Blast Media’s Influence on the Steel Surface Profile

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The surface profile created by shot blasting depends entirely on the blast media and the way it is handled. The right media selection and equipment operating parameters are critical for the surface quality of structural steel components being prepared for paint coating. While mineral abrasives play a role for certain air blast applications, the lion’s share of industrial surface preparation is done in highly mechanized turbine blast machines utilizing steel media.

turbine screenshot
Media being thrown by a blast turbine.

Rosler Metal Finishing has decades of experience in the turbine blasting field. Through the years, we’ve used and evaluated all kinds of media and resulting roughness or lack thereof. This installment of our Structural Steel FAQ series will answer:

What influence does metallic blast media have on the surface profile
of structural steel?

Types and Shape

Steel shot and grit differ in shape, appearance, and profile results.

Shot has a spherical shape similar to small pellets and creates a relatively smooth, more homogeneous surface profile compared to steel grit.

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Structural Steel

Structural Steel FAQ, Part 2 – Methods of Surface Preparation

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Structural steel is a widely used material in a variety of industries due to its strength and durability. Our last post in the Structural Steel FAQ series established why this material must be prepared – namely to preserve its strength and longevity. This post will describe the type of surface preparation required before shot blasting structural steel.shipbuilding2938x450

In order to stand up to the harsh demands of the construction, shipbuilding, and heavy equipment industries, the most appropriate type of surface preparation must be undertaken to ensure the best shot blasting results possible.

As always, consult a surface finishing expert such as Rosler Metal Finishing with to discuss your specific components, their condition, and the desired outcome for your structural steel applications.

We turn to another FAQ about structural steel: What type of surface preparation is required prior to shot blasting?

The answer depends on the condition of the component…

Read more about structural steel surface preperation

Shot Blasting

Shot Blasting 101

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Shot blasting is a specialized surface finishing process where small metal (or mineral) pellets, called blast media, are thrown onto the surface of a work piece at incredibly high speeds, ranging from 200-800 feet per second.  The impact on the work pieces from this process is what produces the desired surface finishing effect.

Shot blasting can help achieve surface cleaning, surface preparation, descaling, deburring, deflashing, and shot peening.

The process components of a shot blasting system include a shot blast machine, raw and finished work pieces, blast media, dust, and other byproducts.

The two most common types of shot blast machines are turbine blasting and air blasting.

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Shot Blasting

Blast Media – Considerations when choosing

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Important factors that should be considered in the selection of any blast media for a particular application is the material and chemical composition, hardness, density, shape, screen size, and, last but not least, the hardness of the component to be blasted.

Component image

The term ‘media’ as used in mechanical surface finishing refers to the free flow abrasive or non-abrasive type of media which carries out the process required on the component.

So, what can be considered and used as a blast media?

Anything! That can be projected through a blasting system.

Media Characteristics to be considered include:

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Shot Blasting

Shot Peening – Blasting for Longer Component Life

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High speed and highly controlled, the process of shot peening has many similarities to the aerospace, automotive, and aviation components it is used on. The machines require absolute precision and reproducibility much like the components they are preparing for long life and changing loads.

Shot peening is a special shot blasting process in which spherical blast media is thrown at the surface of metallic work pieces. The impact energy of the pellets “cold forms” the upper layers of the metal similar to hammering and forging processes.

More on shot peening for longer component life

Reference Guides, Shot Blasting

Blast Medias – Considerations : Choice And Use

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Important factors that should be considered in the selection of any blast media for a particular application is the material and chemical composition, its hardness, its density, its shape, screen size and last but not least, the hardness of the component to be blasted.

Component image

Continue reading Blast Medias – Considerations : Choice And Use →