Abrasives

MEDIA TYPE	VIXEN NAME	GRADE	SIZE MM or MICRON RANGE	DESCRIPTION
Chilled Iron Grit	VIXOGRIT	G05 G07 G12 G17 G24	0.125-0.3 0.18-0.42 0.3-0.71 0.42-1.0 0.6-1.0	A very abrasive media which is harder than steel and therefore has a quicker cleaning action. This media chips on impact with the component rather than wearing blunt. This range of grit is frequently used to prepare surfaces prior to coating. Coating is then essential as the components blasted with this will have an iron content on the surface and will be prone to rusting.
Virgin Brown Aluminium Oxide	VIXOGRAIN WA	VB120/220 VB80/120 VB80/90 VB30/40	125-65 177-125 177 590-420	This is a sharp, fast-working abrasive which is used when ferrous blasting abrasives cannot be used due to any risk of corrosion. It is ideal for extremely hard substances. This media retains its cutting ability as it chips easily on impact creating another new face. This media can be very dusty in finer grades and especially when used in a pressure blast machine Also available: - WHITE VIRGIN ALUMINA WHICH IS A PURER FORM OF THE VIRGIN BROWN. Ideally suited to glass engraving.
Reclaimed Aluminium Oxide	VIXOGRAIN	120/220 80/120 60/80 40/60 30/40	125-65 177-125 250-180 420-250 590-420	This is a cheaper alternative to virgin brown aluminium oxide. It may be cost-effective at low pressures but when blasting at high pressures it breaks down much faster. Used as above except that due to being reclaimed it can contain impurities which is not usually acceptable to aerospace industries. This is a popular choice for most applications.
Steel Shot	VIXOSHOT	S070 S110 S170 S230 S330 S550	0.18-0.4 0.30-0.60 0.42-0.85 0.60-1.00 0.85-1.40 1.40-2.00	Media made from high carbon steel and treated to give durability and resistance. It has extensive applications in general industry for the removal of scale, rust and surface contaminants. Steel abrasives are very popular with foundries for de-burring or de-flashing of castings and cleaning moulds. When used with a blast cabinet little effluent or pollution are produced. This type of media is also well suited to peening / etching surfaces prior to bonding.
Nickel Chrome Shot	VIXOSHOT NC	NC070 NC170 NC330	0.18-0.42 0.42-0.85 0.85-2.00	This is a form of stainless steel shot which is used on non-ferrous components. When steel shot is used in the blasting process it leaves a ferrous residue – this is unacceptable on components made of materials such as aluminium or brass as after a while the surface will rust. Stainless steel shot can therefore be used effectively on these types of metals, as rusting will not occur. Typical applications are preparing surfaces and removing discolouration after heat treatment.
Glass Bead	VIXOSHEEN	AQ AH or AG AF or AD AC or AB C B BL	0-44 50-100 100-150 150-300 300-400 400-600 600-800	A light abrasive material which is used primarily for peening and the removal of almost any surface blemish except corrosion or heavy scarring. It may also be used for texturing or producing attractive cosmetic finishes without damaging the component. There is no risk of corrosion or contamination as it is totally inert. The treated surfaces are not altered significantly and are left with a satin smooth finish. This media will have difficulty in removing paint and heavy surface deposits. It produces excellent results on soft metals such as aluminium or brass.
Plastic Media	VIXOCHIP	12/20 20/40 30/40	840-420 590-420	This media has excellent properties for cleaning components such as moulds when there must be no dimensional change to the components whatsoever but only to remove carbon and other debris. It is therefore very popular in most moulding applications or the cleaning of extrusion dies. Used heavily in aerospace industries, although tight restrictions on contamination are necessary due to impurities found in the media. It is so controllable in the correct machine that it is possible to remove a single layer of paint leaving primer coat intact. This media allows the usage of considerably lower pressures (15-40psi) than other types of media thus increasing efficiency.
Organic Media	VIXOBLAST	12-20c	2000-1000	We supply two types of organic media – crushed walnut and olive stone. Crushed walnut is a softer abrasive which is quite economical in comparison to plastic media. Its softness makes it popular for de-flashing plastic moulds as the surface of the component will not be scratched or etched. Olive stone is an excellent hard abrasive which is often used instead of plastic media. Especially useful in the engine reconditioning market to remove paint and debris from engine blocks. The advantage with olive stone is any remaining particles in water jackets or cylinder heads will not present the danger a plastic media would.