Bead blasting titanium

L

Larsje100

Joined
Jan 28, 2014
Messages
554
Hello everyone,

Recently got a blasting cabinet with glass beads. It works good and I get some good results with it on titanium (1.5mm, 0.06" thick). But I noticed that after blasting the titanium is bend a little bit. I tried putting a piece of wood under the titanium but then it just bended (?) the other way. :(.

Running it at around 60-70 psi (4-5 bar) and distance is a few inches (5-6", 15cm). Angle is like 50-60 degrees or something not sure. At least not 90 degrees :p

Haven't tried thicker titanium and I don't feel like possibly messing up my Sebenza just yet. But I think thicker titanium won't be a problem with it bending during blasting?

Anyone got a clue or any tips?

- Lars
 
Blast both sides evenly and you shouldn't have a problem... I've glass bead blasted a ton with no issues
 
When the beads hit the surface they make tiny divots. These stretch the side being blasted and make it longer than the other side. This makes the sheet curve. You have to blast the other side to even the stretching. As you discovered with the wood backing, just putting a backing on and holding it straight won't stop the curve.
 
Thanks for the replies guys! So I guess that when I do blasting I'll have to do both sides everytime. Any idea if thicker titanium bends too or is it just the thinner ti that does it?
 
Thinking about blasting my Sebenza but I don't want to mess it up. Anything I should look out for or tape off?

Do I need to blast both sides too or won't the Sebenza scales bend anyway because of the thickness? Because I've seen some people only blast one side on a Sebenza.

Thanks :)
 
I've done tons of abrasive blasting both for surface finishing and machinery restoration. Your results sound about as would be expected for super thin material. As mentioned it peens the surface. This same technique is used by machinists for straightening warped parts, although with a hammer.
Anything ~3/32 or more I've never had try to warp on me with glass beads.
 
Geoff Flato said:
I've done tons of abrasive blasting both for surface finishing and machinery restoration. Your results sound about as would be expected for super thin material. As mentioned it peens the surface. This same technique is used by machinists for straightening warped parts, although with a hammer.
Anything ~3/32 or more I've never had try to warp on me with glass beads.
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Thanks for the reply. The part I did first was 0.06" so that might be too thin to blast on just one side. The Sebenza has a 1/8" thick scale so that shouldn't be a problem then. I guess I'll just give it a try :D
 
I'd have absolutely no worries at all on 1/8" Titanium. I doubt you could warp it with any abrasive, let alone glass beads
 
Geoff Flato said:
I'd have absolutely no worries at all on 1/8" Titanium. I doubt you could warp it with any abrasive, let alone glass beads
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Thanks Geoff! I was a bit scared to try it but I'll be blasting it today or tommorow. Will place pics here :).

What about the clip then? I guess I'll just blast both sides and it won't be a problem?
 
If it was me I'd be tempted to rub the clip down with maroon Scotch Brite. Give it a bit of contrast to the bead blast (but still a satin finish) and no chance of warping it
 
Thank you all for the replies and help. I finally had the courage to blast the Sebenza after the bending titanium nightmares. And it went super quick and without any problems. Results here:

9g0OuPO.jpg


4iDABkm.jpg
 
That turned out nicely! I haven't done bead blasted finishes in ages. Last time was a set of S35vn drop points for a couple of police officers
 
Larsi100
What media did you use and what pressure? I’ve been using glass 80 grit and it seems to give to sharp dull darker grey finish. I can knock it down with steel wool but I’d rather be able to just blast it and be done. Thanks much
 
I use the combination glass bead and garnet media I get from Grainger on S35VN hardened to Rc60. It leaves a nice matt grey surface.
 
Dan Wood said:
Larsi100
What media did you use and what pressure? I’ve been using glass 80 grit and it seems to give to sharp dull darker grey finish. I can knock it down with steel wool but I’d rather be able to just blast it and be done. Thanks much
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Sorry for the late reply. It's a pretty old topic but I believe I used a fine grit glass beads. (Maybe 120 but not sure). Pressure was about 65 psi. Do you have a picture of your results?
I'm currently using aluminum oxide for blasting to get the more darker finish.
Maybe try to clean it after blasting and see what happens?
 
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