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Best Media for blasting Iron and Aluminum Castings?

Hi....I'm looking to combine the shotblasting of Iron Sand Castings and Aluminium Sand and permanent mould castings in my Spencer Halstead Hanger and Tumbleblast blasting units. (Wheel not Air)

Can you recommend a media that will give me the best balance of performance, cost and quality, so as to avoid the ingression of iron grit and dust causing my aluminium castings to rust (inexplicably, some of my customers don't seem to like this added attribute in their Aluminium castings!)

Would I be better off with Steel Shot or Wire? Where would be the most "cost effective" place to purchase the media?

Thanx....Phil.

PHILLIP PAPPENHEIM
Iron & Aluminium Foundry - DEVIZES, WILTS, United Kingdom
2004

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Phil;

Depending on the hardness that you require, you should consider aluminum cut wire shot or stainless cut wire shot.

Stainless is much harder than aluminum and will last longer but is more expensive.

Before a true cost comparison can be made, the life expectancy of the media must also be considered, not just the initial purchase cost.

Cut wire shot in most cases is the most effective shot, is substantially cleaner (dust free) and has much longer life than cast shot or grit.

Michael Deakin
North Tonawanda, New York
2004