Industry Knowledge, Surface Finishing, Surface Treatment Related

Surface Finishing：What is sandblasting?

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sandblasting parts processing factory components

Sandblasting is a surface treatment process/surface finishing that essentially uses high-pressure airflow to spray abrasives (such as quartz sand, alumina, glass beads, etc.) onto the workpiece surface at high speed. Through the impact and grinding action of the abrasives, it achieves cleaning, roughening, modification, or decorative effects on the workpiece surface.

High-pressure airflow generated by a high-pressure power source (air compressor, sandblasting tank, etc.) drives abrasive particles to form a high-speed jet that impacts the workpiece surface:
  • Stripping impurities such as oxide scale, rust, oil stains, and old coatings from the surface (cleaning effect);
  • Creating a uniform rough texture on smooth surfaces through abrasive grinding (roughening effect);
  • Altering surface physical properties (e.g., increasing coating adhesion, improving wear resistance).
sandblasting workshop

Main Applications of Sandblasting

  1. Surface Cleaning: Removing rust, oxide scale, welding slag, and oil stains from metal workpieces, or surface impurities from non-metallic parts (e.g., stone, wood);
  2. Surface Roughening: Creating uniform roughness on workpiece surfaces (e.g., pre-treatment before spraying or electroplating) to enhance adhesion between coatings/plaques and the substrate;
  3. Surface Beautification/Modification:
    • "Matte treatment" for stainless steel and aluminum alloy products (e.g., tableware, hardware);
    • Stone carving and glass frosting effects;
  4. Mold Treatment: Cleaning residual material on mold surfaces or texturing mold cavities (improving the texture of plastic parts).

Differences Between Sandblasting and Similar Processes

  • Compared with grinding: Sandblasting can handle complex curved surfaces (e.g., castings, special-shaped parts) with more uniform surface texture and no grinding marks;
  • Compared with pickling: A physical treatment method with no chemical pollution, no damage to workpiece dimensional accuracy, suitable for workpieces sensitive to chemical residues.

 Common Abrasives and Selection

  • Quartz sand: Low cost, suitable for general rust removal and roughening (but dust contains silicon, so proper protection is required);
  • Alumina (corundum): High hardness, suitable for roughening/cleaning high-strength metal parts (e.g., molds, cutting tools);
The machined workpieces usually have tool marks, but the cost of grinding and polishing is too high. To cover up the tool marks, sandblasting is good choice.
blue anodized component
glod anodzing factory
More Sandblasted Projects

When used in combination with anodizing, the color options become even more diverse.

FORMEXFABTECH primarily offers processing services for various product designs, from sample to CNC batch production. If you are looking for a reliable partner, please feel free to contact us.

 

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