Steel shot and grit basics
Chemical composition is the primary parameter of steel shot and grit, particularly affecting its microstructure and heat treatment effect. Carbon content should be proper to produce strong and compact grain particles. Sulphur and phosphorous content must be kept as low as possible since both make steel shot brittle and break earlier.
Hardness
It is essential to use steel shot and grit with proper hardness to ensure blasting efficiency and performance.
If the steel shot and grit is too soft, a large portion of the kinetic energy is absorbed by the abrasive particle as it flattens against the workpiece surface. Therefore, the cleaning speed and working efficiency is negatively reduced. The effect of low hardness cannot be compensated by increasing working cycle times.
Harder steel shot breaks down more rapidly and results in extensive wear to the machine, increasing machine maintenance costs and downtime.
The microstructure of steel shot and grit must resist deformation when impacting on workpiece, minimizing energy loss and producing maximum fatigue life. The microstructure must be free of weak and brittle iron carbides which contribute strongly to premature abrasive fracture and high abrasive consumption.
Physical defects such as cracks, shrinkage, voids will be produced in a certain percentage. Process control shall be applied to minimize the defects amount in the steel shot and grit particles.
Fatigue life is the steel shot and grit’s ability to resist breaking down when it impacts on workpiece. The steel shot and grit transmitting adequate energy is the most economical abrasive.
Steel shot and grit with proper hardness, microstructure, chemical composition, minimum physical defects will produce the most economical and efficient blast cleaning or shot peening application.
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