Powder Finishing Compounds

Powder Compounds | Abrasive Powder for Barrel Finishing and Surface Treatment

Powder Compounds are formulated for tumbling applications where the right process chemistry can help keep parts and media clean while supporting consistent finishing results. Designed primarily for barrel finishing, these compounds contain ingredients that help keep the process clean and efficient. Abrasive Powder formulations are available for different finishing requirements, including deburring, burnishing, cleaning, bleaching, rust inhibition, and bright surface finishing.

Kramer Industries offers a range of powder formulations for different metals and finishing objectives. The selection can include mild alkaline, mild acid, fast-cutting, cleaning, rust-inhibiting, and burnishing formulations. Choosing the appropriate compound depends on the material being processed, the tumbling media, the desired surface result, and the type of operation.

Abrasive Powder for Barrel Finishing

Abrasive Powder is commonly used with barrel tumbling equipment to influence the action of the finishing media and support the required surface treatment. In a barrel process, the parts and media move together while the compound helps manage contaminants generated during processing. The formulation can contribute to cutting, cleaning, burnishing, brightening, lubrication, or corrosion protection depending on the product selected.

A barrel or vibratory metal finishing compounds selection should be based on the complete finishing process rather than the compound alone. The workpiece material, media type, process conditions, and desired finish all affect compound selection. While powder formulations are typically associated with barrel finishing, different compound types can be used for different mass finishing processes.

The Powder Compounds range includes products for all-metal applications as well as formulations intended for non-ferrous metals. Some formulations provide medium cutting action, while others are designed for faster cutting, cleaning, bleaching, burnishing, or rust inhibition. Abrasive Powder should therefore be matched to the intended operation instead of being selected solely by name.

Vibratory Finishing Compound and Mass Finishing Chemistry

A Vibratory Finishing Compound is used with finishing media to support cleaning, deburring, polishing, burnishing, and other surface treatment processes. Although the Powder Compounds on this page are primarily formulated for barrel finishing, understanding the role of finishing chemistry helps when comparing different mass finishing methods.

Mass finishing chemicals help control the working environment inside the finishing equipment. Depending on the formulation, they can help remove oils and contaminants, maintain metal color, reduce oxidation or staining, support bright finishes, and protect parts or media from corrosion. The right chemistry can also help maintain a cleaner process and more consistent results between batches.

When selecting mass finishing chemicals, consider the material being processed, the media being used, whether the operation is wet or dry, the required level of cutting or cleaning, and the final appearance required. The concentration and usage rate should also follow the formulation’s recommended guidelines.

Abrasive Powders and Compounds for Different Finishing Requirements

Abrasive powders and compounds can perform different functions depending on their formulation. A cutting compound may be selected for heavier deburring or faster material removal, while a cleaning compound may be used to remove contamination before a subsequent burnishing or polishing operation. Burnishing compounds can support bright finishes, while rust-inhibiting formulations can help protect steel and other susceptible materials during processing or storage.

Kramer Industries provides several Powder Compounds with different characteristics. Kramco 150 is a mildly alkaline abrasive deburring formulation for all metals. Kramco 160 is a mildly acidic formulation intended for non-ferrous metals. Kramco 180 provides faster cutting action and is suitable for all metals, including hard metals. Other formulations focus on rust inhibition, cleaning, bleaching, and burnishing.

The product range also includes Kramco 910, 920, 930, and 940 for different burnishing requirements. These formulations are designed for applications involving metals such as steel, silver, aluminum, stainless steel, and other materials, with the appropriate media selected for the process.

Choosing Powder Compounds

Selecting the right compound starts with identifying the desired result. Heavy deburring may require a faster-cutting formulation, while burnishing or brightening requires a different chemistry. Cleaning applications may call for a formulation designed to remove oils and restore media cleanliness, while rust-inhibiting compounds can be used when corrosion protection is an important part of the process.

For a barrel or vibratory metal finishing compounds comparison, the equipment and media should be considered together with the chemistry. A compound that performs well with one media type or metal may not provide the same result with another combination. Water quality, concentration, cycle time, load composition, and the required finish can also influence the outcome.

Kramer Industries provides powder and other finishing compounds intended to work as part of a complete mass finishing process. Using the correct compound with compatible media and equipment can help maintain process consistency and support the desired surface finish.

Powder Compound Applications

Powder Compounds can support general-purpose tumbling, heavy deburring, burnishing, cleaning, parts bleaching, oxide removal, degreasing, rust inhibition, and bright surface finishes. The formulation should be selected according to the specific operation and material.

Abrasive Powder can be particularly useful when the process requires cutting action in combination with tumbling media. For cleaning-focused operations, a suitable compound can help keep parts and media cleaner during processing. For burnishing applications, the appropriate formulation can support a bright, uniform finish.

The product specifications provide the individual compound descriptions, compatible metals, recommended media, characteristics, and usage guidelines. These details should be reviewed when selecting a formulation for a specific finishing operation.

Powder Finishing Compound Specifications

Compound	Description	SDS
Kramco 150	Mild Alkaline Abrasive Deburring Powder Finishing Compound For use with all metals. Mildly alkaline pH. Off-white color. Provides a medium cut, non impinging, good color. Ceramic or plastic media suggested. Also for use as a rust inhibitor. Usage Guidelines: 1/2 to 1 lb per gallon of water.
Kramco 160	Mild Acid Abrasive Deburring Powder Finishing Compound For use with non-ferrous metals only. Mildly acidic pH. Off-white color. Provides a medium cut, mild bleaching agent, non-impinging. Faster than Kramco 150. Plastic or ceramic media suggested. Usage Guidelines: 1/2 to 1 lb per gallon of water.
Kramco 180	Alkaline Fast Cutting Abrasive Deburring Powder Finishing Compound For use with all metals; provides an extra fast cut. Rust inhibitor, protecting all types of metals against corrosion to produce good color. Good for extra-long cycles. Excellent for hard metals. Plastic or ceramic media suggested. Usage Guidelines: 1/2 to 1 lb per gallon of water.
Kramco 510	Rust Inhibiting Powder Finishing Compound Powerful rust inhibitor for steel. Light cutting action and shine. Metal safe. White color. Can be used to protect shot when storing for up to 3 months. Ceramic or carbon steel media suggested. Can be used for jewelry processing. Usage Guidelines: 3 to 4 oz per gallon of water.
Kramco 750	Cleaning Powder Finishing Compound A barrel and shot cleaner for use with all metals, used to clean parts before burnishing and to restore shot to a bright clean finish. Shot may require two treatments. Contains a rust inhibitor to protect shot. Light cutting action and shine. Balanced pH. White color. Plastic, ceramic or carbon steel media suggested.Can be used for jewelry processing. Usage Guidelines: 2 to 3 oz per gallon of water.
Kramco 820	Mild Acid Bleaching Powder Finishing Compound Mild acid cleaner and bleaching agent for non-ferrous metals. May cause steel to rust. Light cutting action and shine. Mildly acidic pH. Off-white color. Plastic or ceramic media suggested. Can be used for jewelry processing. Usage Guidelines: 2 to 3 oz per gallon of water.
Kramco 910	Burnishing Powder Finishing Compound For use with all metals. Usually used with steel shot for gold and silver. Contains a rust inhibitor to protect shot. Can be used for jewelry processing. Bright polish. Balanced pH. Rust inhibitor. Yellow color. Carbon steel media suggested. Usage Guidelines: 2 to 3 oz per gallon of water.
Kramco 920	Bright Polish Burnishing Powder Finishing Compound For use with all metals. Similar to Kramco 910, but better for white metal (such as silver or pot metals), die cast, aluminum and stainless steel, as it produces a whiter finish. Can be used for jewelry processing. Balanced pH. Yellow color. Carbon steel or stainless steel media suggested. Usage Guidelines: 2 to 3 oz per gallon of water.
Kramco 930	Alkaline Burnishing Powder Finishing Compound Similar to Kramco 910, but higher pH for a brighter finish on steel. Produces a whiter finish. High pH. Off-white color. Carbon steel or stainless steel media suggested. Usage Guidelines: 2 to 3 oz per gallon of water.
Kramco 940	Mild Burnishing Powder Finishing Compound Bright polish. Mildly alkaline pH. Off-white color. High lubrication to burnish with ceramic media. Good for polishing plastics in a tumbler. Ceramic media suggested. Usage Guidelines: 2 to 3 oz per gallon of water.