Applications of Zirconia Beads in Metal Surface Treatment

Zirconia beads play an irreplaceable role in surface treatments across various materials when it comes to abrasive blasting. The different shapes and hardness of these beads lead to varying metal surface profiles. Mixing different types of abrasive materials results in uneven sand distribution, irregular wear, and unstable surface roughness and gloss. Moreover, abrasive blasting induces structural transformations on steel surfaces, such as the conversion of residual austenite into martensite, and further refinement of martensitic substructures. This enhances the surface hardness and wear resistance, ultimately extending the lifespan of workpieces. In practical tests, a 10-second abrasive blasting results in a deformation of 0.6mm on the arc-height test piece with a high coverage rate.

The application of zirconia beads in metal surface treatment processes is pivotal, achieving rust and corrosion resistance. These applications have gained widespread use in industries like hardware and furniture production. They are particularly well-suited for the strengthening of metal components and the abrasive shaping of lightweight alloy parts. Thanks to their exceptionally fine microstructure, zirconia beads exhibit remarkable impact resistance and toughness. With high hardness and surface smoothness, they are reusable, with utilization rates 15-20 times higher than glass beads. Their broad range of particle sizes makes them versatile and compatible with various types of blasting machines.

Advantages of Zirconia Beads in Metal Surface Treatment

High Hardness, Long Lifespan, Excellent Elasticity:

• Zirconia beads exhibit high hardness and minimal deformation. Their hardness can reach 643-785HV, ensuring improved production efficiency and shape stability during impact and collision. The spherical shape of ceramic beads enhances the quality consistency of component blasting.

• Compared to glass beads, zirconia beads offer superior results and higher surface smoothness, with a lifespan approximately 20-30 times longer. Glass beads have a hardness of 47HRC, significantly lower than zirconia beads' 60HRC, resulting in inferior wear resistance, the generation of airborne dust during use, adverse working conditions, and health hazards to workers, as well as equipment and spare part wear.

• Zirconia beads primarily shatter, with minimal wear. Their small grain size provides a high elastic modulus of 330GPa. The smooth surface of zirconia beads allows for multiple-angle rebound during use.

Enhanced Environment, Efficiency, and Usage:

• Zirconia beads offer a long and high lifespan. They do not wear significantly; instead, they break into small fragments. Unbroken zirconia beads maintain their original size, shape, hardness, and smooth surface, ensuring extended usability.

• Zirconia beads do not produce dust, effectively reducing dust levels in the working environment and final waste. This helps prevent environmental pollution and poses no health risks to workers.

• High hardness, long lifespan, and excellent elasticity of zirconia beads reduce material replacement frequency, thus lowering labor costs. Whether used in dry blasting, wet blasting, or shot blasting processes, zirconia beads yield high efficiency.

Cost Savings and Reduced Expenses:

• Zirconia beads have an extended lifespan, considerably higher than glass beads.

• High productivity: Zirconia beads have an elastic modulus of 330GPa, far superior to glass beads' 60GPa, making them less prone to breakage and enhancing abrasive blasting efficiency.

• Superior surface quality: Workpiece surfaces treated with zirconia beads exhibit a lower roughness compared to glass beads. This significantly reduces mold maintenance and polishing time.

• Reduced energy consumption: Zirconia beads have greater density than glass beads and a higher elastic modulus, resulting in greater impact. Achieving the same abrasive blasting effect with zirconia beads allows for lower blasting pressure, reducing energy consumption and production costs.

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