The evolving construction industry has adopted new materials and techniques to make projects more efficient. Abrasives and blast media are at the forefront of these new technologies, thanks to research and development in sustainability and safety.
Cutting-edge innovation has made the sector safer and provided it with more options for grinding.
How Advanced Abrasives Are Changing Surface Prep
For decades, construction professionals used silica sand and coal slag for their projects. While practical, these materials are hazardous and may be toxic to humans with prolonged exposure. They produce dust that could contain crystalline silica, which experts say can increase the risk of lung disease and cancer.
The future of surface prep is more sustainable for humans and the environment. Governing bodies have implemented strict regulations on hazardous materials, thus spurring innovation for eco-friendly abrasives and surface preparation. Modern construction personnel use recyclable and biodegradable materials to improve employee and community health.
A New Era for Abrasives
Superoxalloy abrasives are one of the newest innovations for construction teams. This blasting media uses high heat and rapid cooling with oxide minerals to create noncrystalline particles. Once complete, the substance can break under high-speed impact. Industry experts use the abrasive because of its reduced dust production and reusability.
New abrasives and sandblasting media have helped building companies, though the future may invite additional efficiency opportunities. Researchers are making automated sandblasting equipment more mainstream, which would reduce labor costs and heighten precision. AI-powered machines can repeat the same parameters and adjust as needed for each project.
The Importance of Abrasive Advancements
Sustainability and worker safety highlight the importance of new abrasive technologies. Workers in cleaner and healthier work environments are less vulnerable to respiratory and other health problems. Other positive safety aspects of these technologies include reduced hand-arm vibrations, optimized noise levels and fewer airborne particles.
While safety and the environment are crucial, construction professionals also benefit from heightened productivity. Modern abrasives give workers more control over their workspace, thus improving product quality and accuracy. Enhanced processes mean companies can extend the life of their equipment and reuse blast media, reducing overall costs.
What Innovative Abrasives Help Industry Professionals?
From blast media to sanding discs, the abrasive media market has expanded to benefit construction businesses. Here are 10 innovative products that help professionals produce more sustainable and efficient work.
1. EpiX EP
EpiX EP from 10X Engineered Materials is one of the best examples of abrasive innovation. The company’s new superoxalloy abrasives line is ideal for powder coating because it is biosoluble and safe for the surrounding environment. Those wanting a low-profile sandblast media should consider EpiX LP, which has a uniform composition of under 1.5 mils and works well with softer metals.
EpiX may cost more than its market alternatives, though building professionals can recuperate the expenses by lowering the cost per blasting square foot. Project managers can use EpiX to increase the number of jobs completed annually and produce high-quality results for each customer.
2. GlassOx Abrasives
Companies have started using more sustainable blast media with recycled materials like glass. Reusing these items means diverting waste from landfills and reducing the environmental burden. GlassOx Abrasives is an excellent example, as it uses 100% post-consumer products that are clean and free of odors.
GlassOx lets consumers select 5 to 0.8 mils of surface profile, depending on their needs. Since 2012, the company has leveraged QPL approval to achieve mil-spec crushed glass abrasives. Using this material reduces the carbon footprint of the manufacturer and the end user, considering it requires less energy to produce.
3. Diamond Sanding Pads
Diamonds are among the world’s toughest materials, so construction professionals have leveraged them for sanding pads. DiamondCore Tools produces a sandpaper set to smooth the most intricate details and navigate narrow crevices. These abrasives benefit workers by making rounded areas easier to work with and preventing disintegration.
Diamond pads heighten removal rates, especially when they use electroplated pads. Therefore, they can be more aggressive when cutting and reducing project time. DiamondCore Tools’ sanding pads require fewer strokes than typical sandpaper and have a longer lifespan. The surface can be dry, high-fired clay or stone, and diamond abrasives will do the job.
4. Sunmight Film Microfinishing Abrasive Sanding Discs
Film-backed abrasives are another essential innovation in construction and blast media. This coated abrasive provides a more consistent surface for workers and creates smoother cuts. Sunmight Film’s products improve the finish and are practical for avoiding tears in corner and edge sanding. The enhanced durability is handy when cutting irregular shapes.
Sunmight Film uses premium aluminum oxide and polyester film for the backing. The wide grit range of 36-2500 brings more flexibility to projects and extends the life of abrasive equipment. Eliminating deep scratch marks is a hallmark of film-backed blast media. Sunmight Film’s products have numerous applications spanning the automotive and aerospace industries.
5. Precision-Shaped Grain
Every measurement matters in construction and other industries using blast media. Therefore, having a precision-shaped grain is essential when handling ceramic abrasive technology. This abrasive is revolutionary because it has a self-sharpening mechanism as the grains wear down. Once the microfractures appear, sharp cutting edges arise and ensure cutting effectiveness.
3M’s precision-shaped grain is an all-around productivity boost, as it cuts more efficiently and lasts longer than other equipment. Building professionals can find it through fiber discs, bonded wheels, belts and other necessary tools. The company wields a triangular ceramic grain to cut the substrate and produce sharp edges.
6. Resin-Bonded Abrasive
Blast media with resin bonds provides versatility and performance boosts because they meet modern manufacturing demands. Abrasive wheels from Empire Abrasives contain grains bonded with resin and specialty fillers to form a solid disc. Once created, construction professionals can leverage them for grinding metal or cutting glass, depending on the job.
Resin-bonded abrasives spin the wheel against the work surface and cut against the disc’s outer layer. The mechanism exposes fresh grains and lets the operator cut without dulling the wheel, thus reducing the need for part replacements. Empire Abrasives features different cutting wheels, including cutting, grinding and chop saw. From surface prep to removing weld splatter, this innovation has become essential.
7. Hybrid Bond Grinding Wheels
Construction companies have had to choose between metal and resin bonds, but technological advancements combine the benefits of both. Hybrid bond grinding wheels deliver the balance necessary for demanding projects while reducing cycle times. Eagle Super Abrasives says its material removal rate is 10 times faster than other resin bond products.
The business’s bond system combines diamond coatings, ceramics and specific alloys to strengthen the system and lower the spindle load. Construction teams using these products benefit from increased thermal stability and tool deflection while getting consistent results. Higher stock removal rates mean holding form and decreasing machine downtime are more manageable.
8. GMA PyroBlast
Building professionals may seek items for medium-to-light blasting tasks to avoid overpowering the surface. In these instances, GMA PyroBlast is one of the most advanced abrasive media developments because of its efficiency and practicality in steel applications. It combines pyroxene and trace minerals for enhanced surface prep, whether precast concrete or brick.
GMA PyroBlast can remove grime, paint and varnish while maintaining a low profile and environmental consciousness. This abrasive media innovation minimizes free silica, heavy metals and dust production, thus improving visibility and employee health. Besides its eco-friendly constitution, GMA PyroBlast is easy to clean after the blast and has an angular particle shape for surface profiling.
9. Monster Ceramic Sanding Abrasives
Advanced ceramic grain technology outperforms traditional abrasive materials like aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, thus increasing its industry prominence. Virginia Abrasives produces an extra-sharp grain to help construction employees with floor sanding and operating on backstand sanders. Sanding wooden floors is more manageable due to faster completion times and consistent finishes.
Virginia Abrasives uses a semi-closed coating for its abrasive grain, which resists the loading of old coatings during refinish work. The company has a proprietary phenolic resin bonding system to keep the grit attached to the backing when operators perform. Workers benefit from the heavy-duty backing that dissipates heat when the machine is on.
10. Superabrasive Grinding Wheels
Foundries may require fettling or snag grinding, which can be demanding for employees. Alternatively, industry professionals may use a CNC machine to grind gray cast iron. Regardless, companies like Norton Winter are making these processes easier through superabrasive grinding wheels. Diamond-backed machines mean operators maximize material removal with more parts per wheel.
Superabrasive grinding wheels are essential for performance improvements, as Norton Winter says they increase high-grain exposure up to 75%. They heighten the action and reduce the loading while preventing workpiece damage. Construction employees benefit from the advanced heat-resistant bond that optimizes lubricity for cooler cutting. Companies using robotic grinding could use the technology due to its lowered wheel wear.
Enhancing Blast Media for the Industry’s Future
Technological advancements have transformed the construction industry by shifting how professionals approach surface treatment. From precision-shaped grain to diamond sanding pads, workers have more tools for efficiency and optimization.
Builders, project managers and people in other roles should consider these innovations and determine whether they could advance existing practices. The environmental and safety benefits may be challenging to ignore.