In general, shot blasting media is ideal for steel surfaces or specific types of alloys where the surface is hard enough to withstand significant abrasion during the blasting process. Shot blasting media can range from finely ground steel grit to dense steel or stainless steel shot.
One of the most effective options for shot blasting media is to use a combination product blend. This can include plastic blast media, shot blast, and glass media to strip the surfaces under even extreme conditions. This is often used for the oil and gas, marine, offshore, and other similar types of industries for their applications. It can also be used for the aerospace industry when heavy coatings or corrosion are a factor on parts with heavier and thicker metal surfaces and components.
What to Consider
An important factor to consider with any shot blasting media is the hardness of the media. Different blasting media will be relatively soft, in the low three or four Mohs range, up to the more aggressive options in steel shot at eight Mohs.
The specific types of blasting media used in the blasting process also need to be selected based on the PSI of the system. Using blasting media outside the recommended PSI for shot blasting will result in poor performance if it is low, or increased risk of surface damage it if is too high.
The type of blasting process, including nozzle or wheel blasting, is also relevant when choosing the right blasting media. Speak with the supplier and ask for recommendations to select the best media for the given application.
