Glass Bead Blasting Consumable
Spherical glass particles, generally smaller than 1 mm in diameter — a blasting consumable widely used for the precision, non-corrosive cleaning of stainless steel and aluminum surfaces.
- Minimum 80% roundness — peens the surface by impact instead of dulling it, giving it a bright appearance
- Low density and friability — preferred in pressure blasting systems
- No corrosive effect, contains no free silica, non-radioactive, non-magnetic
- 10 different size ranges (from 0-50 microns up to 600-800 microns)
Product Description
Glass spheres smaller than 1 mm in diameter are called glass beads or glass spheres. They are widely used for blasting stainless steel and aluminum surfaces in particular — preferred in applications such as cleaning extrusion/casting molds, cleaning turbine blades, and removing welding and process marks.
Due to its low density and friable structure it is used more in pressure blasting systems. Glass bead is friable by nature: it starts breaking down from the first impact and, in subsequent impacts, can behave like grit and open up cracks on the surface. SAYKAR recommends reusing glass bead a maximum of 2 (two) times.
Thanks to its minimum 80% roundness ratio it peens the surface by impact; as a result, instead of a roughened appearance, the surface gains a bright appearance — and this brightness increases as the particle size grows.
Size Ranges:
| Size Code | Range |
|---|---|
| Glass Bead 0-50 | 0-50 microns |
| Glass Bead 40-70 | 40-70 microns |
| Glass Bead 70-110 | 70-110 microns |
| Glass Bead 90-150 | 90-150 microns |
| Glass Bead 100-200 | 100-200 microns |
| Glass Bead 150-250 | 150-250 microns |
| Glass Bead 200-300 | 200-300 microns |
| Glass Bead 300-400 | 300-400 microns |
| Glass Bead 400-600 | 400-600 microns |
| Glass Bead 600-800 | 600-800 microns |
Usage by Industry:
| Industry | Size Used | Reason for Use |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Industry | 40-70 / 70-110 | Precision cleaning, non-corrosive |
| Medical Device Manufacturing | 70-110 / 90-150 | Precision cleaning, non-corrosive |
| Turbo Refurbishment Industry | 40-70 / 70-110 | Precision cleaning, non-corrosive |
| Mold Industry | 70-110 / 300-400 | Precision cleaning, non-corrosive |
| Automotive Industry | 200-300 / 300-400 | Precision cleaning, non-corrosive |
| Architectural Stainless/Aluminum Applications | All sizes | Non-corrosive, surface finishing and polishing |
| Industrial Kitchen Industry | 70-110 / 300-400 | Non-corrosive, surface finishing and polishing |
| Firearms Industry | 40-70 / 70-110 | Non-corrosive, surface finishing and polishing |
Technical Specifications
| Specific Gravity | 2.45 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Bulk Density | 1.50 g/cm³ |
| Hardness | 6 Mohs |
| Roundness | Minimum 80% |
| Durability | Low |
| Free-Flow Property | Minimum 97% |
| Moisture Retention | High |
| Radioactivity / Magnetism / Electrical Conductivity | None / None / Non-conductive |
| Chemical Content | SiO2 >65%, Na2O 13-15%, CaO 8-11%, MgO 3-5%, Al2O3 0.5-2%, Fe2O3 <0.2%, K2O <1.5% |
Note: Contains no free silica, has an inert structure, does not cause corrosion, is non-flammable, and contains no carcinogenic substances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which surfaces is glass bead suitable for?
It is ideal for the precision cleaning of stainless steel and aluminum surfaces; it has no corrosive effect and contains no free silica.
What sizes is glass bead sold in?
It is offered in 10 different size ranges, from 0-50 microns up to 600-800 microns.
Does glass bead dull the surface?
No — spherical particles with a minimum 80% roundness ratio peen the surface by impact rather than dulling it, giving it a bright appearance.
Test Your Production Parts in Our Showroom
Contact us to test the Glass Bead Blasting Consumable with your own samples and to get a price quote.