T- 2 Urea Plastic Blast Media 

Type 2 Urea plastic blast media is one of the most widely used options for aviation and MRO applications because it offers a strong balance of stripping performance and controlled abrasion. It is often selected for aircraft paint stripping, airframe preparation, general depainting, and maintenance work where productivity and surface protection both have
to be considered. 

For many customers, Type 2 Urea is a practical choice because it performs well across a broad range of applications. It can remove coatings effectively while helping protect aluminum, composite, and other sensitive surfaces when used within the proper process parameters. 

Opti-Blast Type2 Urea media is manufactured for consistency, allowing operators to work with predictable particle sizing and reliable performance across multiple blasting cycles.

T-3 Urea Plastic Blast Media 

Having a Barcol hardness of 64-72, T-3 Melamine is the most aggressive, fast blasting media we offer. It may be used with great effectiveness for a wide array of cleaning and stripping requirements and is a useful substitute for other harsh abrasives such as glass beads.

You can expect the best results using T-3 for the removal of stubborn primers, paints, hydrocarbon deposits, other hard materials on molds, steel, iron, and engines. Use T-3 for maximum performance and aggression on harder substrates!

T-5 Acrylic

T-5 is MIL-SPEC approved MIL-P-85891A. 

T-5 Acrylic, with a Barcol hardness of 46-54, is especially suited for a broad range of applications that require high stripping rates coupled with the need to insure surface integrity. T-5 Mil Spec media meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in MIL-P-85891A.

Ideal for aircraft components, it is also excellent for powder coating removal from pultruded aluminum parts, thin fiberglass components, thin gauge metals, and of course, aircraft components.

Glass Bead and

Crushed Glass Blast Media 

If you need glass bead or crushed glass blast media, give Opti-Blast a call. We can also create hybrid mixed media solutions based on the surface preparation you need and the end goal you desire.

Our customers primarily utilize glass media for surface cleaning, finishing, and peening in various industrial applications, on different substrates. Here is a more detailed breakdown of what glass blast media can do:

Surface preparation and cleaning Glass blast media is used to prepare surfaces before painting, coating, or bonding. It helps remove rust, old paint, dirt, and other surface contaminants, leaving a clean and roughened surface ready for the application of new coatings or finishes.

Surface Finishing

The process can provide a smooth, satin-like finish to metal surfaces, reducing surface roughness and creating a visually appealing appearance. It is often used in applications where a consistent and aesthetically pleasing surface is required.

Deburring

Glass blasting is employed to remove sharp edges and burrs from machined parts, making them safer to handle and less prone to causing injuries.

Peening

In certain industries, glass blasting is used for shot peening, which is a surface treatment that induces compressive stresses on the surface of metal components. This process helps improve fatigue resistance and prolong the lifespan of the parts.

Blasting Applications

Glass media can be used in various blasting equipment, such as sandblasters or abrasive blasting cabinets.

Mold and die cleaning

The glass blasting technique is used to clean molds and dies in manufacturing processes, helping to maintain the quality and precision of the final products.

Aerospace and automotive applications

Glass blasting is often used in the aerospace and automotive industries to clean and finish engine components, wheels, and other parts.

Texturing and etching.  Glass blasting can be used to create surface textures and patterns on materials like glass, metals, and plastics, for decorative or functional purposes.

Glass bead and crushed glass blast media comes in various sizes to cater to different applications. Glass beads are considered a relatively gentle hard abrasive, making it suitable for delicate parts and situations where excessive material removal or damage to the substrate is undesirable. Crushed glass has sharper edges and therefore is used when less subtlety is required.

Aluminum Oxide Blast Media 

Aluminum Oxide, a chemical compound commonly known as alumina or ALOX, is a white or brown solid used in various industrial applications, including as an abrasive, in ceramics, and as a refractory material. For blast media, aluminum oxide material is often used for sandblasting and other surface preparation applications. It consists of aluminum oxide particles manufactured to specific sizes and shapes for various blasting tasks.

Aluminum oxide blast media is popular due to its hardness, toughness, and versatility. It can remove a wide range of surface contaminants, including rust, scale, paint, and corrosion, from various materials such as metals, composites, and ceramics. Additionally, it can create a textured surface finish suitable for painting, coating, or bonding processes.

The benefits of aluminum oxide blast media include:

Hardness:

Aluminum oxide is a hard abrasive material, making it effective for removing tough coatings and contaminants.

Durability and Recyclable:

It is durable and can be recycled multiple times, reducing overall abrasive consumption and waste.

Versatility:

Aluminum oxide blast media can be used on various substrates, including steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and wood.

Consistency:

It provides consistent results in terms of surface finish and profile, helping to achieve desired surface preparation standards.

Cost-effectiveness: While aluminum oxide blast media may be more expensive than some other abrasives, its durability and recyclability can lead to cost savings over time.