Shot Blasting Machine for Surface Preparation
Shot blasting provides an unmatched level of surface cleaning in comparison to other surface finishing methods. This is possible as, all the other surface preparations and techniques depend on the use of chemical reactions and processes so as to clean the surface of the machinery. Such surface cleaning preparations may be very effective in removing some forms of corrosion, but are not effective for other types. Shot blasting has significantly created a mark by acting as one of the most effective and being amongst one of the monetarily affordable techniques used for surface preparation before the operations like galvanizing, electroplating, enameling, welding, glass coating and scrubbing.
Shot blasting is useful for many industries, including the aerospace, shipbuilding, forging and steel industries, because it provides a uniform, rough or matte surface depending on the techniques used and the type of surface required.
We would now like to take this opportunity to talk a bit more about the real benefits of shot blasting compared to other techniques often used for surface preparation.
In addition, we would like to expose the types of shots commonly used and describe the situations in which they work best.
Types of Shots Used in Shot Blasting:
Different types of shots are used in shot blasting to achieve different results, let us look at a few of them:
- Steel Shots: With diameter of 1- 6 mm, small steel balls are fired at an extremely speed against the surface of the machine being prepared. Different sizes of balls are used to achieve different finishing effects. For example, the smaller steel balls or shots are used in case of a more polished surface, whereas the lager shots are used for providing a rougher finish.
- Chilled Iron Grit: These iron grits are an angular and abrasive material which is used for achieving a general blast cleaning effect. In this effect the removal of oxides and paints from ferrous casting and carbon steel takes place. Although, blasting with chilled iron grits can be pretty aggressive and thus is not recommended for softer metals such as aluminum as the grits may damage the material.
- Steel Grit: Shot blasting with steel grit is a highly aggressive cleaning preparation which can be used for tough jobs like the removal of contaminants from steel or any other strong material.
Benefits of Shot Blasting as a Surface Preparation Technique
- Shot blasting eliminates the use of non-environmental friendly and harsh chemicals
- Shot blasting offers higher production rates, the wider selection of abrasives and better blast pattern accuracy.
- The finished surface obtained is absolutely free from chemical deposits, scales, and dust. Shot blasting does not remove any virgin metal during scale removal
- Shot blasting facilitates the formation of a permanent bond between the protective layer (zinc, paint or epoxy) and the sandblasted surface. It also helps to detect surface defects.
- Shot blasting increases the longevity and durability of protective surface coatings because they adhere better to the cleaned surface and scale-free surface
- These are just some of the many reasons why manufacturing industries opt for various shot blasting techniques for surface preparation.
