Surface Finishing

Sandblasting & Bead Blasting

Abrasive blasting creates uniform matte surface finishes — used as a final aesthetic treatment, pre-coat preparation, or to remove tool marks and burrs from machined surfaces.

Process Overview

Glass Bead Blasting

Fine, uniform satin finish without aggressive material removal. Ideal for stainless steel cosmetic parts and pre-anodizing preparation.

Aluminum Oxide Blasting

More aggressive media for removing heavy scale, rust, or preparing surfaces for adhesive bonding and coating.

Controlled Process

Pressure, media size, and exposure time controlled per material and desired Ra value. Masking available for selective areas.

Specifications

ParameterSpecification
Media TypesGlass bead, aluminum oxide, ceramic, steel shot
Surface FinishRa 1.6–6.3 μm typical (matte satin)
MaterialsAluminum, stainless steel, steel, titanium, brass
StandardsISO 8501, SSPC-SP16
MaskingThreads, bores, and mating surfaces

Compatible Materials

  • Aluminum
  • Stainless steel
  • Carbon steel
  • Titanium
  • Brass and copper

Applications

  • Pre-anodizing preparation
  • Pre-powder coat surface prep
  • Cosmetic matte finish
  • Tool mark removal
  • Uniform appearance on assemblies

Frequently Asked Questions

Sandblasting vs bead blasting — what is the difference?

Bead blasting uses round glass media for a peened, satin finish with minimal material removal. Sandblasting uses angular media for aggressive cleaning and rougher surfaces.

Will blasting affect tolerances?

Glass bead blasting removes negligible material (<5μm). Heavy aluminum oxide blasting can remove more — specify if tight tolerances apply and we protect critical surfaces.

Can you blast before anodizing?

Yes — bead blasting before anodizing is standard practice. It creates a uniform matte base that anodizes evenly and hides minor machining marks.

Need Sandblasting on Your Parts?

Upload your drawings and specify your finishing requirements — we'll quote machining and finishing together within 24 hours.

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