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Material used for sand blasting in aviation field [UAE] 

June 19, 2008

hi,
I am from Dubai I have a question which is being appeared in general civil aviation authorities quistnair for couple of times, what is the proper material used for sand blasting. Cheers.
Regds

Kamran Saeed
-Dubai, UAE

Sand can be used, but it breaks down fairly fast, so it needs to be changed more often. In the USA, it in not used very much because of our federal safety regulations concerning silicosis (breathing silicon dust).
Probably the best is silicon carbide, but it also contains silicon so is not used as much as it could be. The paper work that goes with its use is a pain far greater than the actual precautions used.
That leaves aluminum oxide. Brown is cheaper than white, but white lasts a good bit longer and I believe that it is in the long run more cost effective.
Aluminum oxide also has a benefit of dissolving in a caustic cleaner tank, so you do not have particles embedded in the parent material causing surface roughness.
The real answer is you need to use whatever material is specified in the overhaul or OEM specifications.

James Watts
- FL

Add to James list. Glass beads are very common in the industry.

AF Kenton Nova Finishing Systems Inc. Huntingdon Valley, PA