Sand blasting Process - Introduction, Materials Used, Pros and Cons

Sandblasting is also known as abrasive blasting. It is the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material against a surface. The sandblasting operation is done under high pressure to smooth a rough surface and roughen a smooth/ Shape surface to remove its contaminants. Several variants of the sandblasting process include bead blasting, Soda blasting and shot blasting.

Before sandblasting, it is mandatory to know about its materials and the pros and cons. If your job profile is related to sandblasting or you own a company that involved in the same process, you need to stay with us. In this webpage, we will discuss sand blasting machines materials and its pros and corns. But before it, let me also clear some of the details of its operation.

There are Two Types of Sandblasting Processes:

• Water-Driven- It is applied for reducing surface deterioration, most commonly water driven process is used for brick or concrete surfaces preparation.
• Air-Driven - This process is best suited for metal surfaces, to prevent moisture buildup and avoid water intrusion in the surface.

Sandblasting is the process of propelling abrasive by using the pressurized liquid or compressed gas as propellant. There are many generic terms for this process that is generally related to the sandblasting abrasive media used for this process. Here are the details of abrasive materials.

Sandblasting Media

As the name suggests, earlier forms of sandblasting primarily used sand due to its availability, but it had its drawbacks in the form of moisture content and contaminants. The major concern with sand as an abrasive is its health risks. Inhaling silica dust particles from sand can cause serious respiratory diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer. Thus, nowadays sand is rarely used and a wide range of modern abrasive materials have replaced it.

The blasting media varies depending on the desired surface finish or application. Some common blasting media include:

Aluminium Oxide Grit (8-9 MH – Mohs hardness scale)

This blasting material is extremely sharp which is perfect for preparation and surface treatment. It is cost-effective as it can be reused many times.

Aluminium Silicate (coal slag) (6-7 MH)

This by-product of coal-fired power plants is a cheap and dispensable media. The oil and shipyard industry uses it in open-blasting operations, but it is toxic if exposed to the environment.

Aluminium Oxide Grit (8-9 MH – Mohs hardness scale)

Glass grit blasting uses recycled glass beads which are non-toxic and safe. This sand-blasting media is used to remove coatings and contamination from surfaces. Crushed glass grit can also be used effectively with water.

Aluminium Oxide Grit (8-9 MH – Mohs hardness scale)

Bicarbonate soda blasting is effective in gently removing metal rust and cleaning surfaces without damaging the metal underneath. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is propelled at a low pressure of 20 psi compared to regular sandblasting at 70 to 120 psi.

Steel Grit & Steel Shot (40-65 HRC)

Steel abrasives are used for surface preparation processes, such as cleaning and etching, due to their rapid stripping capability.

Staurolite (7 MH)

This blast media is a silicate of iron and silica sand which is ideal for removing thin surfaces with rust or coatings. It is generally used for steel fabrication, tower construction, and thin storage vessels.

Staurolite (7 MH)

This blast media is a silicate of iron and silica sand which is ideal for removing thin surfaces with rust or coatings. It is generally used for steel fabrication, tower construction, and thin storage vessels.

In addition to the aforementioned media, there are plenty more available. It is possible to use silicon carbide, which is the hardest abrasive media available, and organic shots, such as walnut shells and corn cobs. In some countries, sand is still used to this day, but this practice is questionable as the health risks are not justified.

How Does the Sandblasting Machine Work?

The sandblasting process involves directing abrasive media onto a surface using a specialized tool called a sandblaster. A sandblaster consists of two key components: the blast pot and the air intake. The blast pot stores the abrasive material and controls its flow through a valve. Meanwhile, the air intake, powered by an air compressor, generates pressure within the chamber, propelling the abrasive particles at high velocity through a nozzle.

When the media strikes the surface, it effectively removes debris, cleans the material, strips away paint, and enhances the surface finish. The outcome of sandblasting largely depends on the type and characteristics of the abrasive media used.

Sandblasting Abrasive Materials:

Materials which can be Sandblasted:

1	Glass
2	Stone
3	Metals
4	Wood
5	Plastics Steel
6	Brass
7	Aluminum
8	Silver

Sandblasting Process – Pros & Cons!

The pros (advantages) of sandblasting are as follows:

• Abrasive action on the surface:The abrasive materials which are being used in the process that have an aggressive action on the surfaces.
• Fit for rough surfaces: The powerful action of the sandblasting process can remove contaminants from the tough surfaces like a concrete.
• Quick Removal of contaminants: the sandblasting process helps for removing the deposits of the contaminants very quickly from the different surfaces.
• Less machinery is involved: Abrasive blasting does not involve the complex machinery for its process.

The Cons of Sandblasting Are as follows:

• Not fit for smooth surfaces: for cleaning smooth surfaces, abrasive blasting is not fit because of the abrasives are being used. Therefore, you can use of soda blasting instead of sandblasting which also a similar procedure for surface preparation but in different ways.
• Abrasives: The abrasives which are being used in the sandblasting process are very rough. Therefore, if use that on the regular for a particular surface preparation, them it would wear away the surface of the particulars.
• Use of silica: it has been banned in most of the countries including India, because of its different health hazards.
• Heat generation: This process includes the projection of the particles with high velocity, therefore lots of heat is generated during the process that can harm health and the surface too.
• Requires Precautions: A lot of precautionary is required with this process in order to prevent different types of hazards. Apart from it, an operator has to cover all his body parts at the time of its process.

Meanwhile, we also need to discuss the top sand blasting machine manufacturer in India. Because machines play vital roles for every type of sand blasting operations, the Quality spare center is the leading Sand blasting manufacturing companies in India. They understand that all clients’ consignments requirements and their machines are having high load bearing capacity and provide best results for the surface preparation. Their experienced and qualified team can assist you better related to the blasting machine, equipment and abrasives.