Economical, Semi-Friable Abrasive for Pressure Blasting and Surface Preparation
Order SinterBlast sintered bauxite abrasive in grit sizes from 16 through 100. This dense, semi-friable blasting media provides an economical alternative to premium fused aluminum oxide for general industrial blasting, coating removal, rust and scale removal, and surface preparation. Excellent abrasive choice for powder coating and anti-skid flooring applications. Exceptionally well-suited for use with air-compressed jet-blasting equipment such as mil scale removal for powdercoating operations, and appropriate for both pressure and suction machines.
SinterBlast is manufactured from calcined and sintered bauxite. It is commonly searched for as sintered aluminum oxide, bauxite blast media, or semi-friable aluminum oxide abrasive.
Why Choose SinterBlast Sintered Bauxite?
SinterBlast is designed for buyers who need an aggressive industrial abrasive without automatically paying the premium associated with high-purity fused aluminum oxide.
Economical Aluminum Oxide–Based Abrasive
Its bauxite-based composition makes SinterBlast a practical option for general surface preparation, maintenance blasting, foundry cleaning, powdercoating, and other applications where extremely high chemical purity is not required.
Balanced Cutting Action and Abrasive Life
The media’s semi-friable behavior provides a balance between initial cutting action and gradual breakdown during use. This can make it a practical choice for operations seeking both productivity and reasonable media economy.
Dense Blasting Media
Typical bulk density of approximately 1.94 g/cm³, helping the abrasive carry useful impact energy during compressed-air blasting.
Common Uses for Sinterblast:
- Removing heavy rust, corrosion, scale, and old coatings
- Preparing carbon steel before painting or protective coating
- Cleaning structural steel and fabricated components
- General industrial maintenance blasting
- Cleaning castings and forged components
- Removing oxidation and surface contamination
- Creating an anchor profile before coating
- Blast-room, pressure-pot, and cabinet applications
- Surface texturing and controlled etching
- Powdercoating, Exceptionally well-suited for use with air-compressed jet-blasting equipment, both pressure and suction.
- Cost-sensitive blasting operations where premium fused alumina is unnecessary
Always conduct a test blast before processing valuable, delicate, dimensionally critical, or contamination-sensitive parts.
SinterBlast Grit Selection Guide
Grit 16–24: Very Coarse and Aggressive
Best suited for:
- Heavy scale
- Thick or difficult coatings
- Severe rust
- Rapid cleaning of heavy steel components
- Applications requiring a deeper surface profile
- Anti skid, anti slip flooring aggregate where the dark color is not a negative.
These coarse sizes consume more compressed air and generally require larger nozzles and appropriately sized blasting equipment.
Grit 30–46: Aggressive General-Purpose Blasting
Best suited for:
- Industrial coating removal
- Rust and mill-scale removal
- Structural steel preparation
- Foundry and fabrication cleaning
- Medium-to-heavy surface profiling
This range is often a practical starting point for general industrial blasting.
Grit 54–70: Controlled Cleaning and Surface Preparation
Best suited for:
- Moderate coating removal
- General maintenance blasting
- Smaller parts
- More controlled surface profiling
- Blast cabinets and pressure systems with smaller nozzles
Grit 80–100: Finer Cleaning and Finishing
Best suited for:
- Lighter oxidation
- Controlled etching
- Finer surface profiles
- Smaller components
- Applications where excessive surface roughness must be avoided
The actual surface profile depends on grit size, air pressure, nozzle distance, angle of impact, substrate hardness, media condition, and equipment type.
Typical Technical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Product type | Sintered bauxite abrasive |
| Common search description | Sintered aluminum oxide |
| Available sizes | Grit 16–100 |
| Physical form | Solid abrasive grain |
| Color | Black |
| Odor | Odorless |
| pH | Neutral |
| Apparent density | Approximately 3.57 g/cm³ |
| Typical bulk density | Approximately 1.91–1.94 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | Approximately 1,875°C |
| Water solubility | Insoluble at 20°C |
| Flammability | Nonflammable |
| CAS number | 92797-42-7 |
The physical-property information is based on the supplier SDS and technical data sheet. Exact particle distribution and bulk density may vary by grit size and production lot.
Typical Chemical Analysis
| Component | Typical Percentage |
|---|---|
| Aluminum oxide, Al₂O₃ | 73% |
| Iron oxide, Fe₂O₃ | 15% |
| Silicon dioxide, SiO₂ | 7% |
| Titanium dioxide, TiO₂ | 2% |
| Potassium oxide, K₂O | 1% |
| Other constituents | 2% |
Typical mineralogical analysis of approximately 89.4% corundum, 7.5% hematite, 2.3% maghemite, and 0.7% pseudobrookite. These are typical values rather than guaranteed lot-specific specifications.
Important Material-Selection Note
SinterBlast is not iron-free or silica-free.
For stainless steel, aluminum, aerospace parts, medical components, or other surfaces where embedded iron or color contamination is unacceptable, a high-purity white fused aluminum oxide may be more appropriate.
SinterBlast Compared With Fused Aluminum Oxides
| Feature | SinterBlast Sintered Bauxite | Brown Fused Aluminum Oxide | White Fused Aluminum Oxide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary positioning | Economical industrial abrasive | Tough general-purpose fused abrasive | High-purity contamination-sensitive abrasive |
| Aluminum oxide content | Approximately 73% typical | Generally much higher | Generally highest |
| Iron content | Significant iron oxide content | Lower than SinterBlast | Very low |
| Relative cost | Often more economical | Mid-range | Usually higher |
| Best fit | Carbon steel and general industrial cleaning | Broad industrial blasting | Stainless, aluminum and purity-sensitive work |
| Friability | Semi-friable | Generally tough | More friable |
| Color | Black | Brown | White |
This comparison is intended as a general product-selection guide. Final suitability depends on the substrate, required cleanliness, allowable contamination, desired profile, recycling system, and applicable coating specification.
Equipment Compatibility
SinterBlast is intended for compressed-air abrasive blasting and may be used in properly configured:
- Pressure blast pots
- Blast rooms
- Industrial blast cabinets
- Suction blast systems
- Portable pressure-blasting equipment
- Reclaim systems approved for dense mineral abrasives
Check your blast machine, metering valve, hose, nozzle, dust collector, and recovery system are appropriate for the selected grit and abrasive density.
Coarse grit requires larger openings and may not flow properly through equipment designed for fine media.
Storage and Handling
Store SinterBlast in its original packaging in a clean, dry location. Protect bags from moisture and physical damage.
Although the product is nonflammable, blasting and handling can generate airborne dust. Use:
- Appropriate ventilation or dust collection
- Safety glasses with side shields
- Suitable respiratory protection
- Protective work clothing
- Gloves when prolonged friction or handling could irritate the skin
The SDS notes that fine particles may irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Avoid unnecessary dust generation and do not wear contact lenses while directly handling dusty abrasive media.
This product is not recommended by the supplier for food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SinterBlast?
SinterBlast is a sintered bauxite abrasive used for compressed-air blasting. It is an aluminum-oxide-based mineral abrasive intended for industrial cleaning and surface preparation.
Is sintered bauxite the same as aluminum oxide?
Not exactly. Sintered bauxite contains a high proportion of aluminum oxide, primarily in the form of corundum, but it also contains iron oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, and other minerals. It should not be confused with high-purity fused aluminum oxide.
Is SinterBlast a semi-friable abrasive?
We market this product as a semi-friable, economical abrasive. Its breakdown characteristics help position it between highly durable blasting media and more friable fused-alumina products.
What grit should I order?
Choose coarse grit for heavy coatings and deep profiles, medium grit for general rust and coating removal, and fine grit for controlled cleaning or lighter profiling.
When uncertain, provide the substrate, coating, desired profile, blast pressure, nozzle size, and whether the media will be reclaimed.
Can SinterBlast be reused?
Short answer, yes, it can be but remember it is a semi friable media. Reuse depends on the blasting pressure, impact angle, substrate, recovery system, contamination level, and acceptable particle breakdown. A properly designed reclaim system may allow multiple blasting cycles, but the media should be monitored for excessive fines and contamination.
Can it be used on stainless steel or aluminum?
It may physically clean those surfaces, but its typical iron-oxide content makes it a poor first choice where iron contamination or discoloration is unacceptable. White fused aluminum oxide is generally the better option for contamination-sensitive work.
