In the manufacturing and processing of stainless steel pipe fittings, surface treatment not only affects the appearance, but also affects the adhesion, corrosion resistance and subsequent coating or bonding effects of the product. Among them, sandblasting and rolling sand are two common surface treatment methods. Although their purposes are similar, the treatment principles and effects are significantly different.
What is sandblasting?
Sandblasting is a treatment method that sprays abrasives onto the surface of a workpiece at high speed through compressed air or centrifugal force. It can not only remove scale, dirt and impurities, but also form a uniform texture with a certain degree of roughness on the surface.
The main characteristics of sandblasting include:
- High surface roughness is conducive to improving adhesion and is suitable for subsequent painting or bonding processes.
- It can process pipes with complex structures and is suitable for a variety of irregular shapes.
- It is often used for surface pretreatment, such as priming or cleaning before coating.
What is rolling sand?
Rolling sand, also known as drum polishing or abrasive rolling, is a method of continuous friction between the abrasive and the workpiece surface through mechanical rolling or vibration. Compared with sandblasting, rolling sand is gentler and is mainly used to improve the surface texture.
The main features of rolling sand include:
- The surface after treatment presents a fine and uniform frosted effect, which is suitable for products with high visibility.
- Suitable for batch processing, high efficiency and low unit cost.
- It works better for workpieces with regular shapes, but not suitable for overly complex structures.
Comparison between sandblasting and rolling sand:
| Aspect | Sandblasting | Rolling Sand |
| Surface Texture | Rougher, ideal for coating | Smoother, aesthetic finish |
| Processing Method | Abrasive impact via air or force | Mechanical friction via rolling |
| Best For | Complex shapes or pre-coating | Batch processing of simple parts |
| Cost & Efficiency | Higher cost, more targeted | Lower cost, more scalable |
How to choose the right treatment method?
The choice of surface treatment method mainly depends on the following factors:
- Whether the pipe fittings need subsequent spraying or bonding: Sandblasting can better provide a rough surface and improve adhesion.
- Whether the product shape is complex: Sandblasting is recommended for irregular shapes.
- Whether to mass produce and focus on cost control: Sand tumbling is suitable for efficiently processing a large number of standard parts.
- Requirements for surface appearance: The delicate texture after sand tumbling is more suitable for visible parts.
Whichever method is chosen, it should be considered comprehensively based on actual application needs and process requirements. Reasonable surface treatment can not only improve product quality, but also reduce subsequent problems and reduce overall manufacturing costs.
