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Automated Shot Blasting

Shot blasting is a surface preparation technique used to clean, strengthen, or etch the surface of a material. It involves propelling small metallic or abrasive particles at high speeds onto the surface to remove contaminants, rust, paint, or scale. The process is typically carried out using a machine called a shot blaster.

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Shot Blasting Transforms Materials for Unmatched Quality

Benefits of Shot Blasting

  • Reduces metal fatigue
  • Increases corrosion resistance
  • Descales surfaces (removing heat treat scale)
  • Deflashes die castings
  • Add texture for increased adhesion
  • Increases texture for functionality
  • Produces a uniform cosmetic finish
Shot peened metal
Turbine blades

Precision – Every Day, Every Part

We use various media of different sizes for our blasting applications, including carbon steel, low alloy steel, aluminum alloy, iron, titanium alloy, and nickel alloy.

 

Common Shot Blasting Applications

  • Gears
  • Camshafts
  • Shafts
  • Turbine Blades
  • Connecting Rods
  • Engine Blocks
  • Springs
  • And more

 

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FAQs

Shot blasting is the striking of a metal surface with a material like round metallic, glass, or ceramic particle with enough force to generate a deformation on the surface that is being finished.

Shot blasting can be used to remove some of the surface material, but is not commonly used to completely remove material in a deeper manner.

Arrow Shot Blasting services are ideal for the following applications:

  • Lengthening the fatigue life of metal
  • Descaling (removing heat treat and mill scale)
  • Deflashing die castings
  • Texturing parts for adhesion
  • Texturing for a mechanical function
  • Producing a uniform cosmetic finish

Stainless steel and steel media is most commonly used in our shot blasting process with different sizes available to provide a wide range of finishes.

We provide controlled shot blasting and peening services. However, we do not shot peen to a controlled shot peen specifications.

Various methods are used for blasting, including automated through feed blasters, shot blasters, tumble blasters, and hanger blasters.

Surface Roughness Conversion Chart

Ra (micrometers) Ra (microinches) RMS CLA (N) Rt N Cut-off Length (in) Cut-off Length (mm)
0.025 1 1.1 1 .3 1 0.003 0.08
0.05 2 2.2 2 0.5 2 0.01 0.25
.1 4 4.4 4 0.8 3 0.01 0.25
.2 8 8.8 8 1.2 4 0.01 0.25
0.4 1.6 17.6 16 2.0 5 0.01 0.25
0.8 32 32.5 32 4.0 6 0.03 0.8
1.6 63 64.3 53 8.0 7 0.03 0.8
3.2 125 137.5 125 13 8 0.1 2.5
6.3 250 275 250 25 9 0.1 2.5
12.5 500 550 500 50 10 0.1 2.5
25.0 1000 1100 1000 100 11 0.3 8.0
50.0 2000 2200 2000 200 12 0.3 8.0
Ra = Roughness Average in micrometers or microinches.
RMS = Root Mean Square in microinches.
CLA = Center Line Average in microinches.
Rt = Roughness Total in microns
N = New ISO (grade) scale numbers.
Cut-off Length = Length required for sample.

Blasting Media Chart

Type of Media Materials used on Capabilities Specifications RA (Micro-finish range) Industries
Glass bead Steel, Stainless steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Nitinol, Copper, Brass, Plastics Fine shinny matte finish, Removing light heatreat scale, deburring of plastics, Removing light scratches and machining lines, Prep for plating MIL-PRF-9954D with Mil spec media 10ra-90ra depending on the size of media, dia of nozzle, pressure used and material being blasted Medical, Military/Defense, Industrial, Food Grade, Electronics, Manufacturing, Aerospace
Aluminum Oxide Steel, Stainless steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Nitinol, Copper, Brass, Plastics Dull Matte finish, Removing heavy heatreat scale, Deburring of metals and plastics, Prep for powder coating, Prep for painting, Roughen medical implants to improve friction, Improve adhesion on all materials MIL-STD-171F Finish 5.5.1 16ra-220ra depending on the size of media, dia of nozzle, pressure used and material being blasted Medical, Military/Defense, Industrial, Food Grade, Electronics, Manufacturing, Aerospace
Ceramic (Zirblast) Titanium, Stainless steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Plastics Fine shinny matte finish, deburring of plastics, Removing light scratches and machining lines 10ra-90ra depending on the size of media, dia of nozzle, pressure used and material being blasted Medical, Military/Defense, Industrial, Food Grade, Electronics, Manufacturing, Aerospace
C&G SST (Fine) Steel, Stainless steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Nitinol, Copper, Brass, Plastics Fine shinny matte finish, Removing light heatreat scale, deburring of plastics, Removing light scratches and machining lines, Prep for plating, Arrow's preferred replacement for Glassbead blasting on a part to be anodized 10ra-90ra depending on the size of media, dia of nozzle, pressure used and material being blasted Medical, Military/Defense, Industrial, Food Grade, Electronics, Manufacturing, Aerospace
300 Series SST Stainless steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Nitinol, Copper, Brass, Plastics Matte finish, Prep for plating, Food Grade, Deburring, Removing machining lines 16ra-120ra depending on nozzle size, pressure used and material being blasted. Medical, Military/Defense, Industrial, Food Grade, Electronics, Manufacturing, Aerospace
400 Series SST Stainless steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Nitinol, Copper, Brass, Plastics, Die Castings Matte finish, Prep for plating, Food Grade, Deburring, Removing machining lines, Arrow's preferred media for AR gun parts that are getting anodized 32ra-200ra depending on nozzle size, pressure used and material being blasted. Medical, Military/Defense, Industrial, Food Grade, Electronics, Manufacturing, Aerospace
Steel shot Die Casting, Steel, Cast Iron Deburring, stress relieving, scale removal, plating prep 50ra-300ra depending on nozzle size, pressure used and material being blasted. Industrial, General Manufacturing, Fabrication

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