Comparison of White and Brown Fused Alumina on stainless steel cookware blasting

When comparing White Fused Alumina (WFA) and Brown Fused Alumina (BFA) for blasting stainless steel cookware, several factors must be considered, including hardness, toughness, particle shape, surface finish, and cost. Below is a detailed comparison:

1. Hardness & Abrasiveness

• White Fused Alumina (WFA):

  • Higher purity (≥99% Al₂O₃), very hard (Mohs 9.0).

  • More brittle, sharper edges, suitable for fine finishing.

  • Less aggressive than BFA, reducing the risk of excessive material removal.

• Brown Fused Alumina (BFA):

  • Lower purity (~95% Al₂O₃ + impurities like TiO₂, SiO₂).

  • Slightly softer (Mohs ~8.5-9.0) but tougher due to impurities.

  • More aggressive blasting, better for heavy rust/scale removal.

2. Surface Finish

• WFA:

  • Produces a smoother, more uniform surface due to its brittleness (fractures into finer particles).

  • Ideal for achieving a fine matte finish on stainless steel cookware.

• BFA:

  • Creates a slightly rougher surface due to its toughness and angular grains.

  • Better for texturing (e.g., non-stick coating adhesion) but may require secondary polishing.

3. Particle Shape & Durability

• WFA:

  • Sharp, blocky grains that break down faster, reducing reuse potential.

  • Better for precision blasting with controlled material removal.

• BFA:

  • Tougher, more angular grains with higher reuse rate.

  • More economical for high-volume blasting but may embed impurities in softer metals (less critical for stainless steel).

4. Cost & Efficiency

• WFA:

  • More expensive due to high-purity manufacturing.

  • Best for high-end cookware where a premium finish is required.

• BFA:

  • More cost-effective, widely used in industrial applications.

  • Suitable for mass production where slight surface roughness is acceptable.

5. Contamination Risk

• WFA:

  • Minimal risk of contamination (no iron or silica impurities).

  • Preferred for food-grade stainless steel to avoid embedded particles.

• BFA:

  • Small risk of iron oxide contamination (though minimal if high-grade BFA is used).

Recommendation for Stainless Steel Cookware Blasting

• For Fine Finishing (Premium Cookware): White Fused Alumina (smoother, cleaner surface).

• For Cost-Effective, Aggressive Blasting: Brown Fused Alumina (better for heavy-duty applications).

If a mirror-like polish is desired after blasting, WFA is preferable. For textured or non-stick coating bases, BFA may be more suitable.