In precision manufacturing and surface treatment, how to thoroughly remove old coatings, rust, or oxide layers without damaging the underlying fragile metal substrate has always been a technical challenge. Especially when dealing with aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, thin-walled sheet metal parts, or complex curved surfaces, traditional abrasives such as alumina, steel shot, and even glass beads often leave scratches, deformations, or even microcracks due to their high hardness and impact force. The emergence of Type II urea resin sand offers a new possibility for solving this dilemma—it can truly remove contaminants effectively while completely avoiding damage to soft or thin-walled metal substrates.
Type II urea resin sand is not a mineral-based hard abrasive, but a plastic abrasive made of high-molecular polymers. Its hardness is precisely controlled, falling between "sufficient to break coatings" and "insufficient to scratch metal." When sprayed at high speed onto the workpiece surface, the particles undergo controlled fragmentation upon contact, releasing energy to peel off the adhering material. However, due to their relatively soft material, they do not "bite" the metal body like rigid abrasives. This "softness overcomes hardness" characteristic makes them particularly suitable for scenarios with extremely high requirements for surface integrity—such as paint removal from aircraft skins, cleaning of lightweight automotive components, or refurbishment of electronic device casings.
More importantly, its action process is highly selective. Paint, old anti-corrosion layers, or minor rust typically have weak adhesion to the substrate, and the energy of resin sand particles is just enough to break these weak interfaces, but not enough to overcome the cohesive strength of the metal itself. Therefore, the coating is effectively removed, while the metal surface experiences only a mild micro-peening effect, which can even improve the adhesion of subsequent coatings without producing visible indentations or microscopic damage. This "zero-deformation" treatment is especially crucial for thin sheets less than one millimeter thick—avoiding warping or dimensional inaccuracies caused by stress concentration.Furthermore, the regular particle shape and uniform particle size distribution of Type II urea resin sand further ensure the consistency and predictability of the treatment. Unlike natural abrasives that contain sharp edges or impurities, it shatters into finer, harmless powder upon impact, reducing the risk of rebound damage and facilitating recycling or cleaning. This controllable consumption characteristic also means a wide process window and high operational tolerance; even slight parameter fluctuations are unlikely to cause overtreatment.From an environmental and safety perspective, this abrasive is free of silicon, heavy metals, or harmful chemicals, producing low-dust and non-toxic particles. It protects not only the workpiece but also the operator's health, aligning with modern green manufacturing principles.Ultimately, the claim that Type II urea resin sand can efficiently remove contaminants while completely avoiding damage to the substrate is not an exaggeration but rather the result of collaborative innovation in materials science and surface engineering. It redefines the boundaries of "cleanliness"—not through brutal stripping at the expense of the substrate, but through precise, gentle, and reversible methods that restore metal to its original clean state without leaving any damage. This is not merely a technological advancement but a profound commitment to "respecting the original appearance and protecting the structure" for high-value components. In today's pursuit of precision and sustainability, such abrasives are like a highly skilled restorer, brushing away the dust of time without disturbing the very core of the material.
