Mechanical finishing & post-processing · finish comparison
Bead Blasting vs Sand Blasting
Bead Blasting and Sand Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast resists corrosion better.
Bead Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $ · instant quote
Bead blasting propels spherical media at a surface to make a uniform satin or matte finish.
Sand Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $ · instant quote
Sand blasting uses angular abrasive to remove scale, rust, and coatings or to create a rough coating-ready surface.
When to choose which
Choose Bead blast
Choose Bead blast when a gentler cosmetic satin finish is required.
- Hides light tool marks on aluminum
- Produces a repeatable satin appearance
- Removes essentially no bulk material in a controlled cosmetic pass
Choose Sand blast
Choose Sand blast when aggressive scale removal or coating key is required.
- Removes rust, scale, and old coating
- Creates mechanical key for paint or powder coat
- Reaches complex external geometry
What the numbers say
- Bead blast resists corrosion better.
- Bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Bead blast | Sand blast |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 5 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 65 Good | 35 Fair |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 5 Minimal |
| Cost | 15 $ | 15 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | Bead blast | Sand blast |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0 µm | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 1–3 working days | 1–3 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Bead blast | Sand blast |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | With care |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| DMLS / SLM | Yes | — |
| MJF | Yes | — |
| SLS | Yes | — |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | With care |
| Steel | With care | Yes |
| Titanium | Yes | With care |
| FDM | With care | — |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | With care | Limited |
| SLA | With care | — |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
Bead blast vs Sand blast — frequently asked
What is the difference between Bead blast and Sand blast?
Bead Blasting and Sand Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast resists corrosion better. Bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Bead blast instead of Sand blast?
Choose Bead blast when a gentler cosmetic satin finish is required. Conversely: choose Sand blast when aggressive scale removal or coating key is required.
Is Bead blast or Sand blast cheaper?
Bead blast is the lower-cost finish ($ against $ for Sand blast) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.