Glass Media Differences
Probably the most important aspect of any finishing project is deciding on the proper blasting media to use. Anything too rough could harm your surface, but media that is too soft may not perform as needed. From organic grit to material abrasive – Kramer Industries has a broad range of media to choose from. In this post, we’ll break down the difference between two popular types of glass: glass beads and crushed glass grit.
When to Use Glass Beads for Finishing
Glass beads are ideal for completing metal surfaces and are versatile for tasks like glass cleaning, frosting, and etching. These are the main purposes:
Cleaning: Cleaning is perfect for preparing surfaces without changing the size of the workpiece or introducing iron contaminants. Glass beads are ideal for keeping close tolerances because they are gentle and non-abrasive.
Finishing: Various sizes of glass beads enable a diverse selection of surface textures. They are able to eliminate machining marks and create a uniform, satin-like finish, which makes them ideal for aesthetic purposes.
Peening: Glass beads are commonly applied to lessen tension in metal parts, boosting their ability to withstand fatigue. This procedure enhances the material by creating compressive stress.
Deburring: Glass beads are able to eliminate burrs from components while maintaining a smooth, polished surface. This is advantageous for accurate parts where surface quality is crucial.
Environmental Benefits
Glass beads do not contain free silica, a common worry in traditional sandblasting media, making them eco-friendly. This makes them a safer choice for workers, as free silica can emit harmful chemicals that lead to respiratory problems.
Factors to Consider
- Bead size
- Shape of the workpiece
- Blast nozzle distance
- Air pressure
- Type of blasting system
If glass beads are handled correctly, they can be reused numerous times, minimizing waste and lowering expenses. Utilizing glass beads results in a shiny, sleek, satin finish and also helps in cutting down on cycles, thus saving both time and money. Experienced suppliers can assist in deciding between coarser or finer beads based on the desired finish for high-volume blasting operations.
In general, glass beads are a great option for obtaining a smoothed surface, which makes them flexible and budget-friendly for different industrial uses.
When to Use Crushed Glass for Finishing
Crushed glass is a highly effective abrasive for surface preparation, particularly when you plan to apply coatings afterward. Its irregular, angular shape provides a more aggressive etch, making it ideal for roughening surfaces and ensuring coatings like paint or sealants adhere well.
Here are key uses:
Surface Preparation: Prepping the surface with crushed glass can produce a roughened surface that improves adhesion for future coatings. It is especially successful in eliminating rust, old paint, and additional surface impurities, making it appropriate for industrial or structural uses.
Environmentally Friendly: Manufactured from 100% recycled glass, crushed glass can be used again and again and disposed of in the environment after use in an eco-friendly fashion. It is non-toxic and helps minimize pollution, making it a good option for blasting.
Health Benefits: Crushed glass has less than 1% free silica compared to silica sand, which can contain up to 99% free silica, thus decreasing the chance of respiratory diseases significantly. It does not have any harmful metals such as beryllium, which is often present in other abrasives like slag.
Non-Reactive Properties: Crushed glass is chemically inert, meaning it won’t cause chemical reactions like rust back on metal surfaces. It’s safe to use around water and other sensitive environments, further enhancing its versatility.
Post-Blast Finish: The natural, white post-blast finish left by the crushed glass can serve as a final attractive step in finishing. It creates a clean, textured surface with minimal embedment, meaning fewer particles get lodged into the workpiece compared to slag.
Cost Efficiency: Since crushed glass is less dense than other abrasives, you’ll use less material during blasting, reducing media costs. Its translucence also improves visibility during blasting, increasing productivity.
Safety and Approvals
Crushed glass is SSPC AB-1 Class A and MIL-A-22262B(SH) approved for toxicological safety, ensuring it’s a safe option for many industries. It is often chosen for industrial finishing projects, including marine, automotive, and architectural applications where both safety and environmental impact are critical concerns.
In summary, use crushed glass when you need an aggressive surface preparation for coatings, especially when environmental safety, health considerations, and cost efficiency are priorities.
| Size | Mil Finish Range | Typical Mil Finish | SSPC-AB1 Grade | Applications |
| Medium | 1.0 – 2.5 MILS | 2.3 MIL | Grade 2 | Automotive, dustless blasting, soda blast alternative. Smooth, white finish. |
| Medium – Coarse | 2.5 – 3.5 MILS | 3.1 MIL | Grade 3 | Bridges, tanks, steel construction, precast concrete. |
| Coarse | 3.5 – 4.5 MILS | 3.8 MIL | Grade 4 | Deeper profile for bridges, tanks, steel construction, and precast concrete. |
This guide shows how different sizes of crushed glass create varying surface profiles, tailored to specific industries and applications.
Choose Glass Abrasives from Kramer Industries
Select glass abrasives provided by Kramer Industries for top-notch, environmentally friendly blasting solutions designed to meet different surface preparation requirements. Their glass abrasives are perfect for achieving a polished surface, offering various levels of abrasiveness and the ability to be reused, resulting in lower expenses and waste. Kramer Industries provides professional advice to assist you in choosing the ideal abrasive for your particular needs.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. What’s the key difference between glass beads and crushed glass?
Glass beads are round and gentle; crushed glass is angular and aggressive for deeper cleaning.
2. When should I use glass beads?
Use glass beads for cleaning, deburring, peening, and creating smooth, satin finishes without altering dimensions.
3. When is crushed glass the better choice?
Choose crushed glass for rust removal, paint stripping, and preparing surfaces for coatings.
4. Are Kramer’s glass abrasives eco-friendly?
Yes. Both options are low-silica, non-toxic, and made from recyclable materials.
5. Can glass beads remove rust?
They remove light rust; heavy rust requires a more aggressive media like crushed glass or Aluminum Oxide.
6. Are glass abrasives safe to use?
Yes. Kramer’s glass abrasives meet SSPC and MIL-spec safety standards.
7. What finish does crushed glass create?
A clean, white, textured surface ideal for coating adhesion.
8. Are glass beads reusable?
Yes. Glass beads can be reused multiple times, reducing media costs.
9. Does crushed glass offer good visibility during blasting?
Yes. Its translucence improves operator visibility and blasting accuracy.
10. Can Kramer help me choose the right media?
Absolutely—Kramer provides expert guidance based on your surface and finish needs.
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