Glass Media Differences
Probably the most important aspect of any finishing project is deciding on the proper blasting media to use. Anything too rough could harm your surface, but media that is too soft may not perform as needed. From organic grit to material abrasive – Kramer Industries has a broad range of media to choose from. In this post, we’ll break down the difference between two popular types of glass: glass beads and crushed glass grit.
Glass Beads
Glass beads are best used for metal finishing. A metal surface is typically very durable, making glass bead the perfect media to finish the surface. This media is often used for applications that involve cleaning, peening, or deburring. Glass bead is not as aggressive as other blasting abrasives, making it a perfect choice for softer finishes. Many people prefer glass beads because they are environmentally friendly and are free from silica. These beads can also be reused many times, saving your team time and money. Ultimately, glass beads will give your surface a bright, satin-like finish.
• Soft finish
• Re-usable and recycled
• Range in sizes for desired finish
Crushed Glass
Crushed glass grit has an irregular shape and will produce more of an etch on the surface. Because of this, crushed glass grit is often used for stripping and to prepare a surface for coating. This environmentally friendly abrasive media is sourced from 100% recycled glass, such as beer and wine bottles. Crushed glass grit sourced from window glass or tempered glass should be avoided as it is a much less effective media for blasting. Crushed glass grit breaks down fairly quickly and is often hard to reuse.
• Cost-effective and efficient
• Abrasive producing an etched finish
• Sourced from recycled material
Check out a before and after comparison we created to compare the two finishes.