The glass bead is one of a variety of media that you can blast with. Like any blast media, it has a variety of benefits and drawbacks. This guide will cover important things to know about glass bead blasting including the benefits and drawbacks, equipment considerations for glass beads blasting machine, and more.
Glass Beads Blasting Machine Pros
Glass beads can be safer compared to other blast media. In particular, media can be a good alternative to silica sand depending on your application, while silica sand is still legal it is becoming more regulated and is recognized as a source of a variety of health problems, including silicosis. For more on silica sand and sand blasting machine check out this in-depth guide. Additional benefits of glass bead blasting include that you can use them for a few cycles before they no longer clean a surface.
Glass Bead Blasting Cons
It's not as fast as other media at cleaning and doesn’t last as long as harder blast media like steel. Since glass is not as hard compared to steel grit, shot blasting machine, and even coal slag, it doesn’t clean as fast as these blast media. Additionally, glass beads do not leave a profile, which can be problematic if you need a profile for your paint to adhere to. Finally, compared to steel grit or shot and aluminum oxide, glass beads blasting media is only reusable a few times compared to numerous times with steel blast media.
Common Glass Bead Blast Media Uses
Knowing the benefits of glass beads, it is also good to know the common uses for is well well-suited for use in sand blasting cabinets where blast media will be recovered. It is effective at cleaning a surface without leaving much of a blast profile. This makes it ideal for cleaning paint or coatings off a part, as well as the removal of rust. If a profile is needed, though, blast media like steel grit or aluminum oxide can be required, as glass bead typically doesn’t profile when blasting.
Common Glass Bead Blast Media Sizes
While media comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 40 – 325 mesh sizes, there are mesh sizes that are more common. Common mesh sizes for glass bead blasting include 50-70, 60 -80, 70-100, and 120-200. The fastest cleaning glass bead is typically 60-100 mesh. Glass Beads Blasting Machine in India. The right size blast media will ultimately depend on your individual application.
Glass Bead Blasting Equipment
The bead is meant to be reused and so will require specific equipment. The glass beads blasting machine is typically used in a sand blast cabinet. Specifically, since it is not a very heavy blast media, it works well in a suction feed sandblast cabinet. Using a standard sandblast pot is not very common, but you can use crushed material with a thermal spray booth in a standard sand blast pot.
Glass Bead Blasting Tips
In general, the higher pressure you use, the greater impact and faster you will be able to blast. However, it can also create changes in your product surface. Between suction and pressure blasting, pressure is faster, but again can create changes in the surface (if blast time or pressure is not well controlled). It is always a good idea to start at a low blast pressure and gradually increase to determine the blast pressure that is best suited for your needs. The maximum blast pressure for a Glass Beads Blasting Machine is typically 80 psi for suction blast cabinets and up to 40 PSI for pressure blasting.
Glass Beads Blasting Machine in India
We are the leading glass beads blasting machine manufacturer in India and supplier of beads blasting equipment worldwide. Spray Blast also offers all types of abrasive blasting machines, bead blasting machines, sand blasting machines, shot blasting machines, granite engraving machines, stone shot blasting machines, internal pipe blasting machines, sand blasting cabinets, pressure blasting machines, wet blasting cabinets, abrasive media, steel shot, steel grit, aluminum oxide, mineral powder, thermal spray wire, etc.
