Durable Aluminium Oxide for Heavy Blasting
Brown fused alumina is a high-performance aluminium oxide blasting grit engineered for strength, recyclability, and abrasive life. Its tough grain structure resists breakdown, making it ideal for high-volume and large-scale blasting operations.
Suitable for ferrous and non-ferrous materials in wet or dry blasting systems.
Brown fused alumina is selected where toughness, durability, and abrasive reuse are more important than absolute purity. For iron-free blasting or contamination-sensitive applications, white fused alumina is recommended.
Key Features
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Tough, blocky angular aluminium oxide grains offer stable cutting performance
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High hardness with excellent fracture resistance
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Long service life and high recyclability make for cost-effective blasting cycles
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Suitable for ferrous and non-ferrous substrates
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Compatible with wet and dry blasting systems
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Widely approved across heavy industries
Typical Applications
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Rust and mill scale removal
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Weld cleaning and surface conditioning
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Steel preparation prior to coating or painting
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General industrial shot blasting
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Aerospace, defence, and nuclear surface preparation
Its tough grain structure allows repeated reuse, making it particularly effective in continuous or high-volume blasting operations.
Why Choose Brown vs White or Pink Alumina
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Lower operating cost over time
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Effective rust, scale, and coating removal
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Reliable results in continuous use environments
Brown fused alumina prioritises abrasive toughness and reuse life over ultra-high purity.
It is the preferred choice where cost per cycle and durability matter more than iron-free purity (white alumina) or balanced performance (pink alumina).
Technical Information – Brown Fused Alumina
Technical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Aluminium Oxide (Al₂O₃) |
| Hardness | Approx. 9.0 Mohs |
| Specific gravity | ~ 3.9-4.1 g/cm³ |
| Bulk density | ~ 1.5-2.1 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | ~ 2050°C |
| Grain shape | Angular / Blocky |
| Relative toughness | Very high |
| Contamination risk | Low (contains trace impurities) |
| Suitable systems | Wet & dry blast cabinets |
Compatible with pressure, suction, and cabinet blasting systems.
Chemical Analysis
| Component | Typical % |
|---|---|
| Al₂O₃ | 95.65% |
| TiO₂ | 2.42% |
| Fe₂O₃ | 0.12% |
| SiO₂ | 0.92% |
| CaO | 0.35% |
Approvals & Standards
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Supplied to recognised aerospace, defence, and nuclear sector requirements (where applicable)
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FEPA F & FEPA P grit standards
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Suitable for industrial blasting operations requiring consistent particle sizing
Certificates of conformity available on request.
Grades & Supply
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FEPA macro and micro grades
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Supplied in 25 kg bags
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UK stock, 3–5 working day delivery
FEPA grit sizes define the particle size distribution of fused alumina abrasives. Lower FEPA numbers correspond to coarser grains and more aggressive cutting, while higher FEPA numbers produce finer surface finishes and reduced material removal.
FEPA Grit Sizes & Approximate Particle Diameter
| FEPA Grade | Approx. Particle Size (µm) |
|---|---|
| F 008 | 2000 – 2800 |
| F 010 | 1700 – 2360 |
| F 012 | 1400 – 2000 |
| F 014 | 1180 – 1700 |
| F 016 | 1000 – 1400 |
| F 020 | 850 – 1180 |
| F 022 | 710 – 1000 |
| F 024 | 600 – 850 |
| F 030 | 500 – 710 |
| F 036 | 425 – 600 |
| F 040 | 355 – 500 |
| F 046 | 300 – 425 |
| F 054 | 250 – 355 |
| F 060 | 212 – 300 |
| F 070 | 180 – 250 |
| F 080 | 150 – 212 |
| F 090 | 125 – 180 |
| F 100 | 106 – 150 |
| F 120 | 90 – 125 |
| F 150 | 63 – 106 |
| F 180 | 53 – 90 |
| F 220 | 45 – 75 |
Please enquire for micro grade options.
Coarser FEPA grades are typically used for heavy rust removal and profiling, while finer grades are selected where controlled surface finish or reduced material removal is required.
Unsure which grit size is right for your application? – Contact us
Our technical team can advise on media selection based on substrate, finish, and blasting system.
Safety & Handling
Aluminium oxide is non-toxic, non-hazardous, and free from silica.
No special disposal precautions are required for the material as supplied; users should consider contamination introduced during their own blasting processes.