Abrasive blasting services are highly effective within various industries, whether as a surface preparation technique for protective coating; graffiti, corrosion, and rust removal; or surface cleaning and restoration of buildings.
This service is vital in achieving clean and sufficiently prepared surfaces, benefiting commercial and industrial projects. Additionally, abrasive blasting can significantly enhance machinery and equipment, increasing asset longevity, performance, and aesthetic appeal.
This guide will delve into abrasive blasting, exploring its definition and the intricacies of how this versatile solution works. Furthermore, we will explore the different blasting services available and show how each type differs.
So, let’s dive in and discover the wonders of this incredible service!
What Is Abrasive Blasting?
Abrasive blasting is a powerful method of forcefully propelling tiny particles onto a surface using regulatable compressed air. These abrasive particles penetrate the surface with immense force, removing rust, scale, paint, dirt, or any alternate unwanted protective coating. Not only being used as a surface restoration technique, Abrasive blasting is also highly effective as a surface preparation solution. Thoroughly blast cleaning almost all surface types to ensure adhesion when applying new protective coating treatments.
For Abrasive blasting services, experts use four key components:
- A Sandblasting Pot
- A Diesel Air Compressor
- A Sandblasting Hose
- A Sandblasting Nozzle
All these components work together to create a controlled environment for the blasting process. Occurring within either a blasting booth or temporarily erected encapsulation, the abrasive material is propelled from the sandblasting pot using the force generated by the air compressor. The blasting hose and nozzle provide directional control for the blasting operator onto the treated substrate.
Abrasive blasting is commonly conducted within a factory-constructed abrasive blasting booth, offering a controlled environment for dust encapsulation. Truck or trailer-mounted machines are often utilised for exterior onsite projects to complete larger outdoor projects like concrete sandblasting blasting, painted line removal, or graffiti removal.
5 Different Types Of Abrasive Blasting!
Various abrasive blasting methodologies are available, ranging from dustless blasting to soda blasting. Each method has its advantages. Let’s look at several types of blasting processes below:
Soda Blasting
Soda blasting is a type of abrasive blasting that uses sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as the abrasive media. It involves propelling the soda particles onto a surface using compressed air or water. It is environmentally friendly, water-soluble, and non-acidic. The operating expert is required to use proper personal protective equipment for soda blasting.
Unlike other abrasive media, soda blasting is less abrasive and does not create a surface profile. It is commonly used for applications where surface damage or profiling is not desired, such as cleaning food processing plants, stripping paint, removing graffiti, restoring historical structures, and lightly cleaning surfaces like masonry, wood, and metal.
Soda blasting originated in the early 1980s during the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. Since then, it has found diverse uses in the automotive, marine, cleaning, and repair industries.
Ultra High-Pressure Water Blasting
High-Pressure Water Blasting is a method that uses powerful streams of water to cut through solid materials and clean various surfaces. It involves forcing high-pressure water through a small nozzle, creating a high-speed stream.
This type of blasting uses pure water or water mixed with abrasives, chemicals, or additives. It operates with a pressure between 10,000 to 25,000 pounds per square inch (70 to 170 megapascals) and requires specialised equipment such as an air compressor, pump, water storage tank, hose, and nozzle.
This technique is used in various industries and offers advantages such as precise coating removal, surface preparation without damaging the substrate, efficient hydro demolition of concrete, effective cleaning and maintenance of sewage systems, and cutting intricate shapes without tools. It is considered a safer and more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional blasting methods.
It’s important to note that this abrasive blasting service can be hazardous if not performed by trained individuals. Hire experts from Prostrip Sandblasting, as we have 10 years of experience and work professionally to ensure all Australia Standard safety protocols are met.
Concrete Sandblasting
Concrete Sandblasting is used to texture hardened concrete surfaces like patios, walls, driveways, and floors. It involves using abrasive materials to remove paint or expose aggregates in the concrete. The extent of sandblasting can vary from light cleaning to deep cutting, exposing aggregates up to 2 cm.
The equipment used depends on the desired cut depth, and the timing of sandblasting is crucial for easier cutting within the first 24 to 72 hours after casting. Safety precautions, such as protective gear and proper ventilation, are essential. Sandblasting of concrete offers advantages like cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and faster results than other methods.
Dustless Blasting
Dustless blasting is a method that combines sandblasting and power washing. It uses a mild abrasive mixed with water to clean surfaces. It eliminates dust and reduces friction, protecting surfaces and preventing metal warping. The dustless blasting cost depends on the project size, surface type, and abrasive consumption.
It offers efficiency, convenience, and long-term product and equipment protection. It can be used for various purposes like removing pool calcium, and graffiti, cleaning concrete surfaces, automotive and heavy equipment, removing paint, stripping wood, and restoring surfaces to their original condition. Dustless blasting is safe for practical use on all surfaces.
Glass Bead Blasting
Glass bead blasting is a safe and versatile method for cleaning surfaces, offering several advantages over alternate coarser blasting media available today. Compared to alternatives such as garnet and steel grit abrasive, Glass Bead is used more as a polishing agent than a surface profiling solution, with a common application being intricate machine parts and components. Although coming at a significantly higher cost per tonne or 20kg bag when compared to alternate abrasives options, Glass beads are very economical. They can be reused and recycled multiple times before replacement, making them a cost-effective option.
Made available in various mesh sizes, glass bead media offers flexibility in its approach as a blasting solution. Depending upon the specific application an operator may elect to use it for.
Conclusion!
Hopefully, you now better understand abrasive blasting, its various methodologies, and its use cases. For all your sandblasting and abrasive blasting requirements, contact Prostrip Sandblasting, Australia’s most professional Abrasive blasting service provider with over 10 years of experience on commercial, and industrial projects!
Reach us on 0403 465 157 or email at dominic@prostripsodablasting.com.