1、 Types and characteristics of steel shot and steel sand
Steel balls can be classified into various types based on their material. High carbon steel pellets have excellent hardness due to their high carbon content, and perform outstandingly in processing metal workpieces with high hardness, effectively removing surface impurities. And alloy steel shot, by adding alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, etc., greatly improves toughness and wear resistance. Its Owen life can reach 3000-3500 times, and it is widely used in precision parts and workpiece treatment with extremely high surface quality requirements. For example, in shipbuilding, alloy steel balls are used for surface treatment of ship hulls, which can effectively remove oxide scales and enhance coating adhesion. ​
Steel grit also has a wide variety of types, with irregular particles in shape. Compared to steel shot, it has more advantages in processing with higher surface roughness requirements. Steel sand of different particle sizes is suitable for different processes. Coarse grained steel sand can quickly remove large areas of thick oxide layers, while fine-grained steel sand is used for fine surface treatment to achieve the desired roughness. ​

2、 Production process revealed
The production process of steel shot is relatively complex. Firstly, high-quality steel blocks, wires, or steel shavings are melted. Then, using high-speed centrifugal forming technology with a centrifugal disc, the molten steel is thrown into water, causing a sharp drop in the surface temperature of the steel shot, completing a quenching process and initially forming a shot body. Next, the quenched pellets are dried in the furnace and reheated for tempering to achieve the desired hardness. The tempered steel shot is screened through a mechanical sieve and sorted into different grades according to SAE standards. ​
The production process of steel grit is similar, but there are differences in the forming stage. Usually, molten steel is formed into irregularly shaped particles through specific molds or spraying methods, and then subjected to subsequent heat treatment and screening processes to produce steel sand products of different specifications. Accurate control of parameters such as temperature and time is crucial throughout the entire production process, which directly affects the quality and performance of steel shot and grit.

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3、 The influence of chemical composition on performance
Carbon plays a crucial role in steel shot and steel grit. An appropriate amount of carbon can ensure that the material has sufficient hardness to meet the requirements of surface treatment. However, excessive carbon content can cause the material to become brittle and prone to breakage; If the carbon content is too low, the hardness will be insufficient and the cleaning task cannot be effectively completed. ​
Silicon element can significantly improve the elastic limit, yield point, and tensile strength of steel, enhance the wear resistance and service life of steel shot and steel sand. Manganese element can not only improve the strength and hardness of materials, but also enhance their thermal processing performance, reduce the harm of sulfur to materials, and further improve their wear resistance. ​
On the contrary, sulfur and phosphorus are considered harmful elements. They are prone to causing brittleness in steel shot and steel sand, leading to premature rupture during use and reducing the effectiveness of use. Therefore, in the production process, it is necessary to strictly control the content of sulfur and phosphorus, and it is usually recommended to control it below 0.05%.

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4、 Widely applied in various industries
In the foundry industry, steel shot and steel grit are indispensable cleaning tools. After the workpiece is removed from the mold, there is often residual sand on the surface. Using steel shot or sand blasting can quickly and thoroughly remove these sand particles, making the surface of the workpiece smooth. For example, in the casting process of automobile engine cylinder blocks, after steel shot cleaning, the surface quality of the cylinder block is greatly improved, laying a good foundation for subsequent processing and coating. ​
In the metal processing industry, for forged and machined parts, steel shot and steel grit can be used to remove surface oxide scale, burrs, etc., while strengthening the surface of the parts to improve their fatigue resistance. In the aerospace field, shot peening with specific specifications of steel shot can effectively improve the strength and reliability of key components such as engine blades and landing gear, ensuring flight safety.

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5、 Quality Control and Market Prospects
To ensure the quality of steel shot and steel sand, production enterprises need to establish a strict quality control system. From the procurement inspection of raw materials, to the monitoring of every process in the production process, to the performance testing of finished products, strict control must be carried out. For example, by conducting metallographic analysis to detect the microstructure of steel shot and steel sand, ensuring that it meets the standard requirements; Use hardness testing equipment to detect hardness and ensure stable product performance. ​
With the continuous development of industry, the demand for steel shot and steel sand continues to grow. The increasing demand for high-quality and high-performance products in the market is driving production enterprises to continuously innovate and improve their processes. In the future, the steel shot and steel sand industry will develop towards green, efficient, and intelligent directions, developing more new products to meet the increasingly diverse needs of different industries, and the market prospects are very broad.