Steel Shot & Steel Grit Abrasive Media

Steel shot and steel grit are the workhorse abrasives for shot blasting, shot peening and burnishing of metal surfaces. Round shot peens and polishes, while angular grit cuts scale, rust and old coatings — together they cover surface preparation from cleaning to pre-paint profiling.

Our steel abrasives are made from selected scrap, heat-treated for hardness and durability, and screened to tight size ranges (SAE standard gradings). Long life and low breakdown rate keep dust levels and consumption cost low.

Common applications include descaling forgings and castings, cleaning structural steel before painting, peening springs and gears to improve fatigue life, and burnishing small hardware in barrel finishing lines. Request the size and hardness specification sheet for your blasting equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is steel shot used for?

Steel shot is a metallic blast medium used to clean, descale, peen and prepare metal surfaces. It removes mill scale, rust and sand from castings and welds, and it creates a uniform matte or shot-blast finish that improves paint and coating adhesion.

What sizes and hardness of steel shot are available?

Steel shot is supplied in a range of sizes, from fine shot for light cleaning and peening to coarser shot for heavy descaling on large castings and steel structures. Hardness grades are available to suit different equipment and surface requirements, and the right size and grade depend on the substrate and the finish you need.

How is steel shot different from steel grit?

Steel shot consists of rounded particles, so it produces a hammering, peening action that cleans and compresses the surface. Steel grit consists of angular particles that cut aggressively and are used where a sharp, etched profile is required for maximum coating adhesion. Many operations use a blend of both.