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Understanding Micro Abrasive Blasting
February 04th, 2021
What is Micro Abrasive Blasting?
Micro abrasive blasting is an advanced form of sandblasting where air and an abrasive are combined in a focused stream. It uses fine nozzles of approximately 0.25mm -1.25mm to deliver a small stream of abrasive material to a small section of a larger piece of material.
Micro abrasive blasting is used for extremely localized tasks (areas as small as 1.3mm x 2.0mm) and can be carried out by hand or by machine. Manual micro-abrasive blasting has been widely used for many years and automated blasting has made significant advancements in recent times.
How is Micro Abrasive Blasting Used?
Micro abrasive blasting offers an efficient method for cleaning small workpieces and has been used increasingly in the production of medical parts. As medical parts get smaller and more intricate, the cleaning technique is greatly impacted by the manufacture of these devices. Tiny imperfections can have a large impact on the use of the device and as such they must be removed to ensure performance is adequate.
Micro abrasive blasting is used to clean residue and graphite master remains in the mold cavities of tools used for injection molding. The buildup of residue can cause issues with the finish on a molded product and as such, blasting it with a soft abrasive will eliminate the graphite compounds without damaging the cavity.
Additionally, laser machined molds benefit from micro-abrasive blasting as it removes deposits left on mold by precision etching.
Micro abrasive blasting can be used for medical devices including surgical instruments and implantable devices such as pacemakers. It can also be used to remove silicon insulation and clean components of devices, removing residue from tools and saving money on replacements. If these imperfections are not addressed they can cause an adverse effect on the performance and lifespan of the device.
In each of these applications, micro-abrasive blasting gives a high level of accuracy, precision and reliability.
Saint-Gobain’s Micro Abrasive Blasting Solutions
Saint-Gobain is the world’s leading manufacturer of specialty grains and powders for cutting, grinding, blasting, polishing and filler/additive applications. We offer expertly engineered abrasive materials for industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, energy, semiconductor, and steel that maximize performance to further process efficiencies.
Micro abrasive blasting is a versatile technology that has improved the efficiency and quality of its applications.
We offer numerous blasting grains for use in micro-abrasive blasting depending on the application. These grains are extremely durable and long-lasting and can be used for applications such as medical and dental implements, as well as other small components.
To find out more about our full micro-abrasive blasting range, contact us today.