Choosing a blast abrasive for polishing

Choosing the correct abrasive to use for a polishing project can be challenging, so it’s important to consider the reason for blasting. When removing thick coats of paint, for example, rough abrasives like aluminum oxide are probably the better option; when working to remove a thin coat of rust on a soft surface, a more gentle abrasive like corn cob should be used. However, superoxalloy abrasives – an entirely new class of abrasives – can offer significant advantages over abrasives you may have used in the past. We’ll discuss superoxalloy abrasives further below.

When blasting to polish a surface, what seems to be the most widely used form of abrasive media is glass beads. Due to its softer nature, these beads are less effective at removing thick coatings, but will leave a surface smooth and shiny without embedded particles.

Rougher abrasives like aluminum oxide or garnet will—especially when blasted onto a softer metal like aluminum—often result in a textured surface, making it difficult to coat evenly, leaving particles which may trigger rust bloom, or leaving it aesthetically displeasing. 

What’s a better abrasive alternative to glass beads, aluminum oxide or garnet? 

10X Engineered Materials has created a line of superoxalloy abrasives that will get the polishing done just as well—if not quicker—than alternatives like glass beads. 

The EpiX and KinetiX abrasives are ultra strong and will leave a clean substrate, free of embedded particles, smooth and polished. 

On top of getting the job done efficiently, they are also ultra safe; they have no beryllium, no free silica, and no crystalline structures. Additionally, they’re not harmful to the environment. 

Currently, KinetiX and EpiX are available from abrasive distributors around the US. If you don’t see a distributor near you, contact 10X and we will work with you to get you what you need. EpiX abrasive, which is best for precision applications such as powder coating and medical applications, is also available to purchase directly from the 10X Engineered Materials website.