Silicon carbide abrasives are typically superior in terms of durability and work well for most materials, including metals. Aluminum oxide abrasives offer comparable durability; however, silicon carbide’s harder and sharper nature make it suitable for nonmetallic materials.
Friable silicon carbide (in green or black hues) is widely used for polishing ceramics, nonferrous metals and hard nonmetals – as well as deburring and refinishing wood flooring.
Tvrdosť
Aluminum oxide (also known as alumina) boasts superior hardness and corrosion resistance over silicon carbide, making it an excellent choice for applications involving tough materials like iron and steel. Furthermore, its ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures without degrading allows consistent abrasion over long periods.
Glass, ceramics and medium-density fiberboard are soft materials that require gentler blast media such as quartz sandblasting. Quartz can easily cut through these materials with no difficulty while it etching well to prepare underlying surfaces for subsequent coating applications. However, due to its increased toughness it must be replaced more frequently than other blast media options.
Silicon carbide features sharper, harder abrasive grains than aluminum oxide that are more resilient. Suitable for wet sanding in both suction-based or direct pressure blast systems, Silicon Carbide polishes surfaces quickly while smooth surfaces need minimal preparation; its versatility even extends to rough surfaces which need polishing after rough surfaces have been treated with aluminum oxide for waste removal and finish sanding purposes.
Artisans choose silicon carbide due to its precision and ability to shape fragile materials like glass and ceramics with greater ease, prolonging product lifespan by not cracking under pressure as easily; additionally, this helps preserve aesthetics by keeping their designs looking appealing over time.
Sturdiness
Aluminum oxide is highly durable and withstands blast pressure for extended periods, making it the preferred material for blasting applications. Brown aluminum oxide varieties last longer due to rounded grains breaking down more slowly compared to pink and white varieties.
Silicon Carbide features narrow and sharp abrasive grains that make it perfect for nonmetallic materials like ceramics and glass, as well as polishing surfaces requiring precision and smoothness. However, this abrasive may wear away more quickly than aluminum oxide options requiring replacement more frequently.
Both types of abrasives can work effectively for various applications, depending on the material and its requirements. For instance, aluminum can benefit from using both types of abrasives to obtain an even surface finish while simultaneously minimizing heat generation during grinding processes.
Additionally, both types of abrasives can be used for woodworking and ornamental woodwork projects, including cabinet making using aluminum oxide while creating intricate details in decorative woodwork using silicon carbide.
Heat generation
Utilizing incorrect blast media for metals can produce heat that damages or degrades their surface being polished. Both aluminum oxide and silicon carbide generate heat when subjected to high-pressure applications, yet they each exhibit distinct behaviors when used for high pressure blasting applications.
Certain applications of some materials require both types of abrasives, for instance sandblasting and polishing both trim and smooth the shape of a metal or ceramic part, respectively. It is important that each process uses unique properties appropriate to their hardness or precision requirements of their target material.
Brown aluminum oxide features a blocky grain structure and long lifespan compared to silicon carbide, making it suitable for applications between 16-600 grit. Non-contaminating, brown aluminum oxide is often employed in aerospace applications.
Silicon carbide features a sharper, narrower grain structure that wears away quickly; however, it etchs softer surfaces well – such as glass, stone and many plastics – making it great for deburring projects such as glass etching. Furthermore, silicon carbide’s qualities also make it useful in sanding and polishing metals–particularly harder ones–making it ideal for sandblasting projects involving both soft and hard metals; additionally it is often combined with aluminum oxide for use when used together on projects involving soft metals in order to sandblast soft metals together for such projects; it can even be used when refinishing wood floors in combination for complete refinishing projects; coarse aluminum oxide coarse sanding stages and fine silicon carbide polishing stages of the project.
Ostrosť
Aluminum oxide abrasives are widely renowned as being versatile abrasives, ideal for many different materials and tasks of sanding. Notably durable, aluminum oxide can withstand high levels of pressure without dulling over time; however this could reduce their effectiveness for rough sanding or polishing tasks.
Silicon carbide abrasive grains have sharper, harder edges that make it ideal for rough sanding and polishing applications, stripping paints/coatings off metal, as well as sanding wood surfaces bare of paint/coatings.
This type of abrasive is also safe to use in volatile environments and does not produce static electricity that could spark particles into action. Friable and nonfriable forms allow users to choose between longer life span and faster cutting speed.
Differences between aluminum oxide and silicon carbide abrasives may seem subtle, yet their impact can have an enormous effect on your work and final finish. Depending on your requirements, it may be possible to combine their strengths: for instance when sanding steel you might begin with 80-grit aluminum oxide before switching over to silicon carbide for the final 120-grit belt for a superior finish. Empire Abrasives provides both types of abrasives in blast tumbling as well as individual finishing products – just click below!