Metal Abrasive Material Guide

Start With What The Media Is Allowed To Touch

The single decision that matters most is ferrous or non-ferrous. Carbon steel media and steel balls are ferrous. If they hit aluminium, zinc, brass or stainless, they leave iron on the surface. That iron oxidises days later and the plant has to add an acid pickling step to get rid of it.

Sukie states that after processing with stainless steel media the surface is bright with no rust and no discolouration, and that no further acid treatment is needed. That is the practical reason the non-ferrous ranges exist.

The Six Ranges Side By Side

Density And Hardness Decide The Impact

Density sets how much energy a grain of a given size carries. Hardness sets whether it cuts the surface or works it. Aluminium sits at 2.7 g/cm³ and 65 to 125 HV, which is why it suits thin and delicate work. Zinc is 7.1 g/cm³ at 45 to 60 HV, dense enough to break a burr but soft enough not to wear the casting. Copper and brass are 8.6 g/cm³ at 180 to 250 HV. Stainless is 7.4 to 7.9 g/cm³ at 300 to 600 HV. Carbon steel is 7.84 g/cm³ at 30 HRC on new steel wire and 45 to 65 HRC on spring wire.

What Each Range Is Built For

• Stainless steel. Non-ferrous castings, stainless fabrication and any part where iron pick-up is unacceptable. Abrasion resistance 3 to 5 times cast steel shot. See Stainless Steel Shot and Cut Wire.
• Aluminium. Aluminium, zinc and tenuous workpieces, with the obvious white effect. See Aluminum Shot and Cut Wire.
• Zinc. Deburring and deflashing die castings, and advanced electro galvanizing. See Zinc Shot and Cut Wire.
• Copper. Valves, electric fittings and decorative work that must keep its colour. See Copper Shot and Cut Wire.
• Carbon steel. Steel parts, peening gears, bearings and springs. See Carbon Steel Cut Wire Shot.
• Steel balls. Bearings, valves, slides and polishing. See Steel Balls.