At 10X Engineered Materials, we’re committed to helping you achieve the best possible results with our blasting media. This guide is specifically for our customers using Cerakote coatings, providing recommendations and best practices for using 10X Blasting Media – Epix MP.
Cerakote Approved Media: EpiX MP
We’re proud to offer EpiX MP as an officially approved blasting media for all Cerakote applications. Cerakote’s evaluation showed excellent adhesion on a variety of materials, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals and composites. EpiX MP leaves a clean blast profile with minimal media embedment, resulting in a superior finish.
Recommended Blasting Pressures for Cerakote
For optimal results with Cerakote, we recommend adjusting your blasting pressure based on the substrate you’re preparing. Due to the unique characteristics of EpiX MP, the following pressures are advised to start your blasting work:
- Softer Metals (e.g., aluminum, brass): 40-60 PSI
- Harder Metals (e.g., steel, titanium, Inconel): 80-100 PSI (Cerakote’s standard recommendation)
- Composite Materials (e.g., plastics, polymers, fiberglass): 30-40 PSI
- Once you begin blasting, for the best performance, we recommend trying higher pressures, which are beneficial for removing thick or difficult-to-remove coatings or for improving blasting speed.
Equipment Adjustments
Feed Rates in Cabinets
- Adjust the abrasive feed rate in both suction and pressure systems to prevent overfeeding of superoxalloy abrasives. Overfeeding leads to excessive dust and reduces blasting speed. If a suction cabinet lacks an abrasive feed rate regulator, consider using a hose clamp or a suction end restriction device to limit abrasive flow and adjust your abrasive feed rate.
Feed Rates in Pressure Pots
- Start blasting with the metering valve closed, and open it to one full turn of the valve knob.
- Activate the dead-man switch and test blast for at least 30 seconds with the desired nozzle distance.
- If abrasive flow is insufficient, open the valve ½ a turn at a time, test blasting for at least 30 seconds at each ½ turn adjustment. After two adjustments (two full turns open), open the valve ¼ a turn for each additional adjustment and test blast. Repeat until the abrasive is blasting effectively.
- Make only minor adjustments (<1/4 turn) from this valve position.
At the optimal valve setting, superoxalloy abrasives are extremely efficient and very low in dust.
For detailed guidance on optimizing your equipment, please refer to our comprehensive guides:
Your Partner in a Perfect Finish
Epix MP has proven to be highly effective and versatile, and we are excited to offer it as an approved option in the Cerakote application process. By following these guidelines, you can achieve a superior surface finish and exceptional adhesion for your Cerakote projects.
For further assistance or specialized applications, please contact our technical support team.