Sandblast - Glass-Bead - Brushing - Polishing - Masking - Baking

Sandblasting can remove paint, rust, and residue from oxidation from materials quickly and efficiently. Sandblasting can also be used to change the condition of a metal’s surface, such as through removing scratches or casting marks. Sandblasting, as a cleaning method, has been widely used for over a hundred years.

Glass beads are solid glass spheres. Due to their high strength, chemical stability, limited thermal expansion, and good flow ability, they are manufactured from colorless glass for several industry purposes and widely used for blasting to give rough metals a smooth finish.

A Brushed or polished surface of metal has a unidirectional satin finish. It is produced by polishing the metal with a grit belt or wheel, then softening it with a greaseless compound or a medium non-woven abrasive belt or pad. Commonly brushed metals include stainless steel, aluminum and nickel. Brushing gives metal, a distinctive look as it retains some but not all its metallic lustre and is given a pattern of very fine lines parallel to the brushing direction. For this reason, it is commonly used for decorative items.

Masking is an option prior to any plating process.

Post-plating baking consists of baking the part immediately after plating. This can reverse the effects of hydrogen embrittlement, in most cases. General guidelines call for baking the part for four hours at a temperature of 375º F within one hour of plating or as per our clients’ request.

Sandblasting Properties
⦁ Uniformly roughened, matte surface finish
⦁ Increased surface roughness for improved coating adhesion
⦁ Removal of oxides, scale, and surface contaminants
⦁ Generates a clean, mechanically keyed surface
⦁ May induce slight compressive stress at surface
⦁ Non-directional surface texture
⦁ Possible minor material removal depending on media and pressure

Glass Bead Blasting Properties
⦁ Smooth, satin/matte surface finish
⦁ Low surface roughness compared to sandblasting
⦁ Surface cleaning without significant material removal
⦁ Produces slight surface peening effect
⦁ Non-directional, cosmetic finish
⦁ Maintains dimensional integrity
⦁ Reduced risk of embedding contaminants

Brushing (Mechanical) Properties
⦁ Directional surface finish (linear grain pattern)
⦁ Moderate smoothing of surface irregularities
⦁ Removal of light oxides and minor imperfections
⦁ Controlled surface roughness depending on brush type
⦁ Enhances aesthetic appearance
⦁ Minimal material removal
⦁ Improved surface uniformity

Polishing Properties
⦁ Smooth, glossy, reflective surface finish
⦁ Reduced surface roughness (low Ra value)
⦁ Removal of scratches, micro-defects, and oxidation
⦁ Enhanced corrosion resistance due to smoother surface
⦁ Improved cleanability and reduced contamination retention
⦁ May introduce slight surface work hardening
⦁ High aesthetic quality

Masking Properties
⦁ Selective surface protection during processing
⦁ Prevents coating, plating, or treatment in masked areas
⦁ Maintains original surface condition in protected zones
⦁ Sharp transition boundaries between treated and untreated areas
⦁ No chemical or mechanical alteration to masked surfaces
⦁ Compatible with multiple downstream processes

Baking (Post-Treatment / Heat Treatment) Properties
⦁ Removal of moisture, solvents, or volatile residues
⦁ Relief of internal stresses in coatings or substrates
⦁ Reduction of risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement (especially after plating)
⦁ Improved coating adhesion and curing (for paints, platings)
⦁ Stabilization of material or coating properties
⦁ No change in geometry when properly controlled
⦁ Enhanced durability and performance of treated surface