Bead blast finish is suitable for several uses. It comes under one of the largest groupings of processes known as media blasting which is one of the most used and preferred surface finishes for custom machined parts. Abrasive blasting and sandblasting are other types of blasting techniques used with their own merits and demerits.
In this article, the reader will learn about bead blasting along with the methods and tools that will provide a good result. You will also learn the advantages and disadvantages of this surface treatment to be able to make the right decisions for your project.
Want a finish to your projects that can be made to suit your tastes? Through bead blasting services, Shenzhen Feitai provides bead blasting products of different sizes to befit the appearance and functionality of your product.
What Is Bead Blasting?
Bead Blasting
Bead blasting uses fine glass or steel beads to apply high-pressure water to smoothen out the surface of any particular component. This bead-shaped media is ejected by a high-pressure tool at the material’s surface to polish and scrub it.
This procedure is generally performed in a controlled bead-blasting chamber and makes the surface shiny and smooth. Bead blast finishes are used in metals, plastics, rubber, and glass to improve the look and mechanical characteristics of the surface.
Bead Blast Finish: How It Works
Bead blasting is similar to other methods of abrasive blasting in its operation. The process is one in which spherical media is thrown against the surface of the workpiece and the result is a polished surface. The dimpling from the media adds to the entire bead blast surface of the final product.
This is a good method of getting rough but even surfaces which are important in many applications of concrete. Fine glass media can give a “matte” or “satin” finish, and it finds application for post-treatment of 3D printed or machined parts. There are also coarser glass media for a more rugged “rough” surface.
Further, bead blasting provides a way to hide small defects on the faces of parts in addition to removing burrs. While some of the finishing techniques darken the surface, bead blasting retains the sub-surface base color hence brighter parts.
Bead Blasting vs. Sand Blasting: Key Differences
Bead Blasting Vs. Sand Blasting
The only difference between bead blasting and sandblasting is the media used and the danger that comes with it. While both methods are based on the same principles, their use is rather different. Glossary Bead blasting uses spherical glass beads while sandblasting uses silica sand.
Sandblasting is usually a shorter procedure, while bead blasting is much less invasive to materials, removing layers and coatings without harming the base material. This results in a polished finish with the best quality as it can have the best control on the variant.
On the other hand, sandblasting is much more forceful in that a stream of fine sand is shot at the surface at high speeds for cleaning or etching. This method produces a lot of silica fume which if inhaled over a period can cause some health complications such as silicosis among the operators.
Furthermore, the process of sandblasting distorts the size of the underlined parts and therefore should be regulated and the persons involved should wear protective clothing during the process.
Equipment Employed for a Bead Blast Finish
To get the most desirable outcome in bead blasting it is necessary to use the correct equipment and materials. The following section will give an insight into the basic tools needed for the bead blasting procedure.
Glass Beads
Glass Beads
The primary object of bead blasting is the beads themselves; they can be manufactured from various materials and with the help of various-sized beads. These beads are spherical and are made from lead-free soda-lime glass. However, glass bead blasting has one of the greatest benefits: the beads can be reused up to thirty times. Also, this method is relatively less harsh compared with other methods thereby causing lesser wear and tear on the surfaces being worked on.
Bead Blaster Cabinets
Bead Blast Cabinet
The bead blasting cabinet is the place where all of the operations are carried out. The material and construction of the furniture in particular, the cabinets, are paramount to its utility for any workplace as well as the employees who may use it. Key features of a quality cabinet include:
● Robust Construction: A cabinet fabricated from elongated lasting materials such as steel guarantees endurance. The legs that should be used on the cabinet should be strong to prevent the cabinet from shaking whenever it is in use.
● Effective Sealing: There can be no way through which dust; and other
debris products can find their way out of the cabinet; thus decreasing the
health implications that arise from the breathing in of such contaminants.
● Protective View Windows: The large, clear windows make it easier to
monitor the blasting process going on inside. The windows should be
covered with replaceable protective sheets for visibility and protection of
the windows.
Bead Blaster Gloves
In bead blasting, safety and comfort take precedence as one is working with a
high-powered metal. Welding gloves, which can be fixed on the cabinet, cover the
operator’s hands and give a secure hold on the blasting gun when operating the
blasting equipment.
Bead Blaster Gun
Bead Blaster Gun
The bead blaster gun is one of the critical parts of the bead blasting setup. There
are many designs but the most common one is the one that depends on the user’s
preference. Some guns have a mechanism where shooting is done by pressing a
pedal on the floor which is more comfortable during longer shooting as compared
to the use of triggers.
Tips for Bead Blasting to Achieve the Desirable
Finish
However, bead blasting is relatively effective and to get the best finish, much
attention must be paid to the job. Here are some tips to enhance your bead
blasting results:
● Use Low Pressure: It is suggested that the initial pressure of a fuel injection pump should be set at 50 PSI (3.5 Bar). These lower pressures are good for the glass beads because they last longer and also give a better finish. For the finish high pressure also causes bead break out and dust which is undesirable and requires time to clean up.
● Remove Rust or Oxide Layers First: Before bead blasting it is necessary to remove any oxide layers to get a high-quality surface finish. Aluminum oxide or crushed glass is used for this purpose because glass beads alone cannot cut through these layers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bead Blast
Finishes
Bead blasting presents several advantages and a few drawbacks worth noting:
Pros
● Safety: As for bead blasting it is generally safer than the other methods.
● Eco-Friendly: It is a viable solution to sandblasting.
● Recyclable Materials: Glass beads can be used over and over again.
● Delicate Handling: Especially suitable for delicate parts without having to compromise its state.
Cons
● Limited Suitability for Tough Materials: This may take several hours longer
if the surface is very hard.
● Durability Concerns: These glass beads may not endure as long as the steel
media.
● Surface Profile: Contrary to the surface profile needed for proper paint
adhesion, bead blasting doesn’t produce a good result.
● Bead blast surface finish: There are various properties of bead blast
surface finish that make it suitable for use in the construction industry.
Comparing Bead Blasting With Other
Techniques
Bead blasting is an optimal technique to use to get a consistent surface finish on
parts without affecting the size of the parts. Compared to other media blasting
techniques this one is not as aggressive and can be used on a wide range of
materials making it diverse in the many applications of its use.
Bead blasting is widely used by various manufacturers to improve the strength of
the part. This finishing process is flexible and can be adapted to be used in
conjunction with other manufacturing methods. Small beads should be used when
precision is necessary, and large beads should be used for bead blasting of steel
or aluminum since they will camouflage surface irregularities. More significant
beads are very helpful in degreasing and doing away with burrs on new car parts
and other cast products.
Industry Standards of Bead Blast Finishes
Bead Blast Finished Part
The characteristics of bead-blasted components are determined by the type of
media used and the pressure under which it is performed. To ensure high-quality
and consistent results, here are some best practices for controlling the bead
blasting process:
Identify the Media and Grit Size
The kind of media determines the final feel and appearance of the bead blast
finish. A smooth satin-like finish is given by the fine glass beads and a rough finish
is obtained by the coarse glass beads. Steel shots are used for finishing and
debarring of required surface textures. Do not confuse grit number with the size of
the material; lower grit values mean coarser particles while high grits mean fine
particles. When placing an order for a quote, or when creating your part drawings,
make sure to identify your media choice.
Prevent Tight Surface Roughness Callouts
The bead blasting process interferes with the attainment of close surface
roughness requirements. Variations in surface roughness should, therefore, be
controlled and kept at a minimum of 32 µin Ra for smooth parts to remain feasible.
Enter the Masking Notes for Important Features
If your component has areas that must not be subjected to bead blasting, then
add masking notes to the areas. These include O-ring grooves sealing surfaces and
small pitch threaded features.
For bead blasting always ensure that you use the lowest pressure possible.
It is better to run the bead blaster with lower pressures. The pressure should
probably be around 50 PSI because this is more effective but not very hard on the
bead, thus minimizing its wear. High pressure may compact the beads and thus
increase production costs, and also produce excessive amounts of debris which
can contaminate the surface of the formed component or be dangerous to the
operator.
Remove the Oxides or Rust Before Bead Blasting
When bead blasting aluminum parts, one has to be very careful because oxide
layers which are not easily polished, are normally formed on aluminum surfaces.
These layers should be stripped off using a sharp abrasive material, and then the
bead blast finish should be conducted.
Conclusion
A bead blast finish is useful for obtaining semi-polished, satin-like finishes on
many different types of materials. This finishing treatment is suitable for a wide
variety of applications and is even less abrasive and cheaper.
To get the best results from your bead blast surface finish then it is wise to consult
a suitable partner. Feitai has been providing quality part-finishing services
affordable to most of its clients. Our goal is to satisfy the needs
of parts with different surface roughness demands. Consult with us for professional
consultation on your next project and if you are ready to proceed with your
project, get a quote now.
Bead Blasting FAQs
Q1. How safe is bead blasting?
Yes, bead blasting is safe as it is carried out in an enclosed chamber and a few
fumes and dust. Protective gloves are also worn to protect your hands. In the
same way, as with any other high-pressure equipment, basic safety precautions
must be observed.
Q2. How long does this bead blasting normally take?
As to the time that it takes to do the bead blasting it depends on the size of the
object and the finish that is wanted in the same object. The small areas are
covered in a few minutes while the large areas may take many hours to achieve
this kind of finish.
Q3. What job possibilities does bead blasting in aluminum have?
On this note, it is possible to bead blast aluminum surfaces and get matte or dull
looks. This method improves the aesthetics of aluminum parts.
Q4. Which is preferable: bead blasting or sandblasting?
They are unique since every one of them has its capacity or function. Sandblasting
is high pressure and is used for paint or rust while bead blasting is low pressure
used on intricate items that need a very smooth surface finish.
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