Glass Beads are spherical abrasive media made from high-purity molten glass. They are typically transparent or translucent with a smooth, round shape.

The key difference between glass beads and abrasives such as Brown Fused Alumina, White Fused Alumina, and Silicon Carbide is:

✅ Glass beads work primarily through impact and peening rather than aggressive cutting.

As a result, they generally produce a smoother finish with less aggressive surface cutting than angular abrasives such as alumina or silicon carbide.

Glass Beads Features

Key Features

• Spherical particles

• Gentle on workpiece surfaces

• Low dust generation

• Reusable

• Creates a uniform surface finish

• Provides a polishing / satin-finishing effect

1. Stainless Steel Matte Finishing

Suitable for:

• SUS304

• SUS316

• Food processing equipment

• Medical equipment

Effects:

• Creates a fine, uniform satin-matte finish

• Maintains the natural metallic appearance

• Minimizes deep scratches

2. Aluminum Alloy Surface Treatment

Suitable for:

• Aluminum extrusions

• Aluminum die-cast parts

• Aluminum housings

Effects:

• Reduces machining marks

• Creates a uniform matte finish

• Improves surface appearance

3. Mold Cleaning

Suitable for:

• Plastic molds

• Rubber molds

• Aluminum molds

Effects:

• Removes carbon deposits

• Removes adhesive residue

• Cleans with minimal dimensional change when proper blasting parameters are used

4. Aerospace Components

Suitable for:

• Aluminum alloy components

• Titanium alloy components

Effects:

• Cleans the surface

• Can improve fatigue resistance through controlled shot-peening applications

• Creates a more uniform surface finish

5. Medical Devices

Suitable for:

• Surgical instruments

• Stainless steel components

Effects:

• Creates a fine matte finish

• Provides a clean, attractive surface appearance

6. Automotive & Motorcycle Parts Restoration

Suitable for:

• Alloy wheels

• Engine housings

• Carburetors

Effects:

• Removes surface oxidation

• Restores the natural metallic appearance

7. 3D Printing Post-Processing

Suitable for:

• Metal 3D-printed parts

• Resin models

Effects:

• Reduces visible layer lines and surface irregularities

• Improves overall surface finish and appearance

#40–#80

Coarse Glass Beads

Effects:

• Stronger cleaning performance

• Creates a coarser matte finish

#100–#170

Medium Glass Beads

Effects:

• Most commonly used size range

• Creates a uniform matte finish

#200–#325

Fine Glass Beads

Effects:

• Creates a fine, smooth matte finish

• Produces a premium metallic appearance

Food Processing Equipment

• Stainless steel equipment housings

• Food conveying equipment

Medical Device Industry

• Medical instruments

• Precision instruments

Bicycle Industry

• Aluminum alloy frames

• Aluminum components

Automotive & Motorcycle Industry

• Alloy wheel restoration

• Engine component finishing

Mold & Die Industry

• Mold maintenance

• Mold cleaning

Aerospace Industry

• Titanium alloy components

• Aircraft structural components

3D Printing Industry

• Post-processing of metal 3D-printed parts

Special Applications of Glass Beads

Shot Peening

When glass beads impact the surface of a workpiece, controlled shot peening can:

• Create a compressive residual stress layer

• Improve fatigue life

• Increase resistance to crack initiation

Common applications include:

• Aerospace components

• Springs

• Gears

• Turbine blades

1. Wear Proper Protective Equipment

Recommended protective equipment:

• Sandblasting helmet

• Dust mask or respirator

• Safety goggles

• Protective gloves

2. Keep Away from Moisture

Exposure to moisture may cause Brown Fused Alumina to:

• Clump together

• Clog the blasting nozzle

• Reduce media flow

Store in a cool, dry place and keep the abrasive media dry.