July 1, 2025
If you’re new to doing your own surface finishing, you may be confused about the different types of media available, particularly the role of plastic tumbling media. In what situation would you use a plastic rather than something like steel or ceramic media?
Plastic media came about to finish softer metals/alloys. Processing softer metals (i.e. aluminum, brass, bronze, etc.) The other media are heavier per cubic foot, then the concern is rolling over the burr and peening against the surface. Much harder and longer cycle times are needed to remove a peened down burr. If the burr is a parent metal it would not be a burr as identified with vibratory finishing/deburring.
If your industrial products are mostly tough steel, cast iron, and stainless products, you may want to try using a ceramic bond. However, plastic tumbling media can be just as aggressive as ceramic and even faster with cutting. The issue then is the attrition rate or rate that the media wears away. It is more costly, wears faster, and has more residue to deal with, but can provide a very nice surface profile and RA/RMS. There can be safe scrubbing action to remove deposits and build upon a plastic part surface. Deflashing or deburring plastic is a different story. All pre-made tumbling media is manufactured to wear away at a certain rate (attrition rate/how long is going to last in the machine?). The faster it wears away to more waste is generated from the process.
What Are the Benefits of Using Plastic Media Blasting for Your Parts Finishing?
The main advantage of using plastic abrasive blasting media is that it’s easier on your more sensitive surfaces and does not change the original metal surface profile under the paint.
Benefit: Not having to refinish the metal substrate prior to repainting. The finer the surface substrate with the finish the better the paint quality/appearance with the end result. The four types of plastic blasting media. Acrylic, melamine, polyester, and urea. All have their advantages and applications. The plastic media blasting process is a dry process, meaning no warping, pitting or flash rust. Dust collection is so very important today. The right collectors are needed for any blasting process. Plastic media blasting does have some special features over a standard blast unit to be able to move abrasive through the system without them clogging up. Plastic media blasting is very susceptible to moisture build-up.