What is bead blasting？Bead blasting is a popular method of giving parts a smooth, satin finish and improving their aesthetic quality. Here’s a guide to using this finishing technique, including how it works, its common industrial applications and more.

Bead Blasting

Bead blasting is a surface treatment process that uses compressed air to shoot tiny spherical particles, called beads, at a surface at high pressure. The aim of bead blasting is to clean or even enhance the surface of a part to improve its functionality or cosmetic quality after CNC machining.

How does bead blasting work?

The bead blasting process works by using the impact of beads to remove contaminants such as rust, paint, scale or corrosion from a surface. The result is a surface that is uniform, smooth – often with a matte or satin finish – and clean, making it easier to apply a new finish or coating to the part.

What materials are used in bead blasting?

The beads used in bead blasting can be made from a variety of materials such as glass, ceramic, aluminium oxide or steel. The choice of bead material depends on the application and the desired result. Here are some of the most common.

• Glass. Manufacturers often make these beads from soda-lime glass, making them the most commonly used for bead blasting applications. The Protolabs Network also uses them in its blasting service. People typically use them for cleaning, deburring, and smoothing.
• Ceramic. Manufacturers often make ceramic beads from zirconia or alumina, giving them high durability for aggressive cleaning and surface modification. People typically use them in applications that require tightly controlled surface finishes.
• Steel. Hardened steel beads offer high durability and serve well for heavy-duty cleaning and surface preparation. People often use them in heavy-duty applications where high levels of abrasion are required.
• Plastic. Manufactured from a variety of plastics, including acrylic and polycarbonate, plastic beads are a good choice for applications that require a clean or uniform surface while maintaining the quality of the underlying material.

What are the advantages of bead blasting?

Surface Cleaning: Effectively removes contaminants, rust, paint, and coatings from surfaces without damaging the base material.

Surface Preparation: Prepares surfaces for further treatment such as painting, coating, or plating by creating a clean, textured surface.

Smooth Finish: Provides a uniform, smooth, and aesthetically pleasing finish, ideal for decorative applications.

Material Versatility: It can work on various materials, including metals, glass, plastics, and rubber.

Non-Aggressive: Less aggressive than other blasting methods, reducing the risk of warping or altering delicate parts.

What are best practices when designing for bead blasting?

• Consider the required surface finish.
• Select the right material.
• Pay attention to part geometry.
• Provide adequate surface preparation.
• Use consistent blasting parameters.

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