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Difference between steel grit and steel shots.

Blasting methods are extensively used by the metal industry, automotive industry, construction, and others not only to clean surfaces but also to prepare them for further action. When we talk about blasting then essentially two types are used by industries using different types of materials. These are shot blasting and grit blasting.

These two blasting media are used to meet different goal requirements. As the name suggests, in the steel blasting method, stainless steel shots are used, whereas in the steel grit blasting method steel grits are used.

Let us try to understand a little more about these two media to appreciate their advantages.

Steel grit

The steel grits are available in multiple sizes and shapes and can be used as blasting media to get different kinds of results. This media is angular and is actively used to remove contaminants from metal as well as non-metal surfaces. It is also used to create a profile so that the new coating can adhere to it without much problem.

The steel grits are popularly used to remove the mill scale, and different degrees of coating from any metal and non-metal surface. The steel grit is quite economical as it can be used multiple times before the need to discard it arises (according to an estimate, the steel grit can be used nearly 150 to 200 times before it needs to be replaced).

Stainless steel shots

As the name suggests the SS shots (stainless steel shots), are made out of stainless steel and are available in multiple sizes. However, you can buy this material only in a round shape. This is a hard abrasive with a Mohs scale reading of 8.0, which is very close to the hardness of the steel grit. These abrasive media are also used widely for cleaning surfaces. The most popular use of this abrasive is peening in which the surface of a metal is hardened by blasting it repeatedly with steel shots. The repeated striking of the metal surface with stainless steel shots leads to compression of the metal that in turn increases its strength. The shot peening is extensively used to manufacture gear parts, turbine blades, camshafts, and springs. In addition to short peening, the stainless steel shots are also used on concrete surfaces to remove rubber build-up, also epoxy, and adhesive removal process. The stainless steel shots can also be used multiple times that reduce their cost over time. 

You must have a clear idea about this to abrasives to make a judicious choice which one to select for your unique needs.

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