E-Archive
Articles
in Vol. 26 - January Issue - Year 2025
Surface Perfection: Exploring the Best Abrasives for Sandblasting and Shot Peening

Kiran Raj

Sandblasting and shot peening are essential processes in various industries; used to clean, prepare, or treat surfaces. The type of abrasive chosen plays a significant role in determining the effectiveness of the process. This article explores popular abrasives such as steel grit, steel shot, garnet, copper slag, coal slag, glass bead, glass grit, aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, and organic abrasives, along with their uses, advantages, and limitations.
1. Steel Shot
Steel shot is a spherical abrasive made from melted high-quality steel scrap, and it is ideal for less aggressive blasting and shot peening applications.
Advantages:
- Excellent for shot peening, improving the fatigue resistance of metals.
- Producing dimple surfaces.
- Can be reused multiple times.
Uses:
Used for shot peening and general surface preparation in industries like aerospace and automotive.
Limitations:
- Blasting equipment will be worn down quickly.
- Detailed surface profiles cannot be provided .
- Higher initial cost
2. Steel Grit
Steel grit is a sharp-edged angular abrasive made from crushed steel shot, commonly used in industries for surface preparation
Advantages:
- Highly reusable, cost-efficient.
- Excellent for removing tough coatings, rust, and mill scale.
- Providing a good surface profile, ensuring better adhesion of coatings.
Uses:
It’s used in applications where removal of rust and coatings is required, particularly in pipeline, oil and gas, and steel construction and fabrication fields
Limitations:
- Too aggressive for delicate surfaces.
- Prone to rusting if not stored properly.
- Higher upfront cost.
3. Garnet
Overview:
Garnet is a natural mineral abrasive known for its hardness, eco-friendliness, and effectiveness in cutting through tough surfaces.
Advantages:
- Non-toxic and environmentally-safe.
- Sharp angular particles ensure fast and efficient blasting.
- Minimal dust generation, improved safety.
Uses:
Commonly used in sandblasting, waterjet cutting, and surface preparation in industries like oil and gas, shipbuilding, and construction.
Limitations:
- More expensive than other mineral and slag abrasives.
- Limited recycling capability.
4. Copper Slag
Overview:
Copper slag is a by-product of copper smelting and is valued for its high density and effectiveness in removing tough coatings.
Advantages:
- Removing thick coatings effectively.
- Inexpensive and readily available.
- Improved safety and visibility with minimal dust.
Uses:
It is used in shipyards and offshore drilling to remove rust and coatings from metal surfaces.
Limitations:
- Limited reusability.
- Equipment wear.
- Disposal issues of used abrasives.
5. Coal Slag
Overview:
Coal slag is a lightweight abrasive produced as coal combustion by-products from power plants, commonly used for fast cleaning and surface preparation.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive and widely available.
- Effective for quick surface cleaning because of the sharp edges.
- Safer for operators with lower risk of silicosis.
Uses:
Used in outdoor sandblasting for removing rust, paint, and coatings from metal surfaces, tanks, and pipelines.
Limitations:
- Not reusable.
- Not suitable for delicate surfaces.
6. Glass Bead
Overview:
Glass beads are spherical abrasives made from recycled glass, primarily used for cleaning and polishing surfaces without damaging them.
Advantages:
- Producing uniform, polished surface.
- Ideal for delicate surface cleaning.
- Reused multiple times.
Uses:
Widely used for peening, polishing, and cleaning in the aerospace and automotive industries.
Limitations:
- Not suitable for removing heavy coatings.
- More expensive than other abrasives.
- High volume of dust
7. Glass Grit
Overview:
Glass grit is a sharp-edged abrasive made from crushed glass, used for effective surface cleaning and preparation.
Advantages:
- Cost-effective for large projects.
- Made from recycled materials.
- Sharp edges help remove tough coatings and rust.
Uses:
Used for surface preparation in applications like graffiti removal, cleaning metal, concrete, and masonry surfaces.
Limitations:
- Limited reusability.
- Dulls quickly, reducing its effectiveness over time.
- Skin irritation for blasters
- High Dust generation
8. White and Brown Aluminium Oxide
Overview:
Aluminium oxide is a synthetic abrasive, available in white and brown color. White is purer and sharper, while brown is more durable due to its iron content.
Advantages:
- Effective for aggressive material removal.
- Used on a variety of materials, from metal to ceramics.
- Can be recycled multiple times.
Uses:
Used in surface preparation, cleaning, grinding, and polishing in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics.
Limitations:
- High volume of dust, good ventilation required.
- Higher cost than other abrasives.
- Proper disposal for used abrasive needed
9. Silicon Carbide
Overview:
Silicon carbide is a synthetic abrasive known for its extreme hardness and thermal conductivity, ideal for tough jobs.
Advantages:
- Faster cutting and material removal.
- Suitable for high-temperature applications.
- Highly efficient for complex surfaces.
Uses:
Used for cutting, grinding, and polishing in foundry, aerospace, and precision industries, especially for hard materials like stone and ceramics.
Limitations:
- More expensive than other abrasives.
- Proper waste powder disposal needed
10. Organic Abrasives (Walnut Shells, Corn Cobs, etc.)
Overview:
Organic abrasives, such as walnut shells and corn cob, are biodegradable and ideal for gentle cleaning tasks.
Advantages:
- Biodegradable and non-toxic.
- Ideal for sensitive surfaces.
- Minimal dust production, improves operator visibility.
Uses:
Used in industries like aerospace and custom repair jobs for cleaning delicate surfaces like aircraft components without causing damage.
Limitations:
- Not suitable for heavy-duty cleaning.
- Single use only.
- Low production rate.
Selecting the appropriate abrasive for sandblasting or shot peening relies on factors such as material, surface requirements, cost and environmental impact. Steel grit and steel shot deliver aggressive cleaning with excellent reusability, while garnet and glass beads provide less aggressive and environmentally friendly options. For precision and high-performance tasks, specialised abrasives like aluminium oxide and silicon carbide are ideal. Organic abrasives offer a sustainable choice for delicate surfaces. A clear understanding of these options is crucial to achieving effective surface preparation and cleaning in a diverse range of industrial applications.
Plant Manager Saudi abrasives Factory Co.
For Information:
Saudi abrasives Factory Co.
Road No.118, 2nd industrial City
Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Tel. +966.13.834-2998
E-mail: kiran.raj@saudiabrasives.com
