Steel Grit
Manufactured to SAE J1993 and ISO 11124-4 standards. Hardness 54–66 HRC. Engineered for aggressive surface preparation, maximum anchor profile generation, and superior coating adhesion.
What is steel grit?
Steel grit is produced from the same atomisation process as steel shot, but particles are subsequently crushed and screened to create irregular, angular fragments. This angular morphology is the defining characteristic: sharp edges and corners bite into steel surfaces far more aggressively than spherical shot, producing deep, jagged anchor profiles that dramatically increase surface area for coating adhesion.
With hardness values of 54–66 HRC — significantly higher than steel shot — steel grit maintains its sharp cutting edges through many blast cycles. This combination of hardness and angularity makes it the preferred abrasive wherever a specified surface profile is essential.
Macloid Metalix steel grit is heat-treated under precise atmospheric conditions to achieve uniform hardness throughout the cross-section, ensuring each particle maintains its cutting performance from the first blast cycle to the last.
Hardness
54–66 HRC
Density
7.4 g/cm³
Standard
SAE J1993 / ISO 11124-4
Shape
Angular
Technical specifications
All grades conform to SAE J1993 / ISO 11124-4. Surface profile values (Ra and Rz) are indicative for standard blast wheel equipment at recommended parameters.
| Grade | Nominal Size (mm) | Hardness (HRC) | Ra (μm) | Rz (μm) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G10 | 2.00 | 54–66 | 15–25 | 80–150 | Heavy mill scale removal |
| G12 | 1.70 | 54–66 | 12–20 | 65–120 | Structural steel |
| G14 | 1.40 | 54–66 | 10–18 | 55–100 | Bridge preparation |
| G16 | 1.18 | 54–66 | 8–15 | 45–80 | General blasting |
| G18 | 1.00 | 54–66 | 6–12 | 35–65 | Pipe coating prep |
| G25 | 0.71 | 54–66 | 5–10 | 25–55 | Ship hull preparation |
| G40 | 0.50 | 54–66 | 4–8 | 20–45 | Fine surface prep |
| G50 | 0.36 | 54–66 | 3–6 | 15–35 | Precision components |
| G80 | 0.18 | 54–66 | 2–4 | 10–20 | Ultra-fine finishing |
Actual surface profiles depend on blast equipment, wheel speed, media mix ratio, and substrate condition. Contact our engineers for process-specific guidance.
Application areas
Marine coatings
Ship hulls and offshore structures require aggressive surface profiles to retain heavy anticorrosion coatings in permanently wet or splash-zone environments. G10–G18 grades are standard for hull blasting yards globally.
Structural steel
Long-span bridges and elevated roadway structures demand durable, well-adhered paint systems. Controlled grit blasting to ISO 8501-1 Sa 2½ with specified Ra profiles ensures system longevity of 15–25 years.
Petrochemical structures
Storage tanks, process vessels, and pressure vessels must achieve tight surface cleanliness and profile targets before protective lining application. Steel grit reliably meets SSPC-SP 10 and NACE No. 2 requirements.
Achieve the profile your coating system demands
Our engineers will specify the right steel grit grade and blast parameters to hit your target Ra and Rz values, cleanliness grade, and throughput rate — within 24 hours.