Abrasive blasting also called sandblasting involves high pressure propulsion of streams of abrasives against surfaces. There are four main purposes for using this process on surfaces. The four applications are removing surface contaminants, shaping surfaces, smoothening rough surfaces, and roughening smooth surfaces. Varying pressure levels in the abrasive determined which of the four applications the method can do. For skillfully performed sandblasting Los Angeles offers some of the best specialists to consult before checking other options.
There are two main mechanisms through which the abrasive is propelled. The first method involves use of pressurized fluid, which can be air or water. The second mechanism involves the use of a centrifugal wheel to push the abrasive media. The first application of this process was in 1870. It was also patented the same year by Benjamin Chew Tilghman. At the time of patenting, sand was the main abrasive media in use, but that has changed since.
With everyday that the uses of sandblasting increase, people continue coming up with different ways of achieving the process. Currently, types of blasting in application are numerous. Among them are, dry ice, hydro, micro-abrasive, automated, bristle, bead, wheel, and wet abrasive blasting. Some methods are named after the abrasive they use. Not all the methods can be used for the same application. Some are more suited for certain uses than others.
In wet abrasive sandblasting, water or other liquids are added into the abrasives before they are used. Normally fine-textured media is used. Material of media used can be anything including stone, wood, steel, plastic, and glass. Most surface contaminants are effectively eliminated using this method. Grease, radioactive material, oil, graffiti, dust, old paint, mold, and asbestos are among contaminants that can be removed well. Cleaning agents and water added in the process is part of the reason why the method is very effective.
Wet abrasive blasting offers many advantages that cannot be found in dry media blasting. First, it can be done using any of the many device formats available. The types of device formats available include total loss portable units, walk-in booths, hand cabinets, and automated production machinery. The process can also be done in the same time frame as conventional dry sand blasting.
Main benefit of using wet blasting is that surfaces remain intact after the process because they are protected. A lubricating cushion is created between the substrate and abrasive by the fluid. Therefore, the impact of the propulsion is reduced a lot. Additionally, the level of media breakdown is low and foreign materials do not get impregnated into the surface.
Use of dry media processing results into static forces which cause dust particles to cling onto surfaces. This never happens with wet blasting because the surface gets discharged of all static forces by the liquid. Also, a single equipment can work with more than one abrasive material without concern for contamination.
The levels of cleanliness achieved through use of wet materials makes the process to be more preferred for use in surface preparation. Surfaces can be prepared for bonding or coating operation using blasting. The resultant surfaces are normally very clean and improve the strength of the bond formed.
There are two main mechanisms through which the abrasive is propelled. The first method involves use of pressurized fluid, which can be air or water. The second mechanism involves the use of a centrifugal wheel to push the abrasive media. The first application of this process was in 1870. It was also patented the same year by Benjamin Chew Tilghman. At the time of patenting, sand was the main abrasive media in use, but that has changed since.
With everyday that the uses of sandblasting increase, people continue coming up with different ways of achieving the process. Currently, types of blasting in application are numerous. Among them are, dry ice, hydro, micro-abrasive, automated, bristle, bead, wheel, and wet abrasive blasting. Some methods are named after the abrasive they use. Not all the methods can be used for the same application. Some are more suited for certain uses than others.
In wet abrasive sandblasting, water or other liquids are added into the abrasives before they are used. Normally fine-textured media is used. Material of media used can be anything including stone, wood, steel, plastic, and glass. Most surface contaminants are effectively eliminated using this method. Grease, radioactive material, oil, graffiti, dust, old paint, mold, and asbestos are among contaminants that can be removed well. Cleaning agents and water added in the process is part of the reason why the method is very effective.
Wet abrasive blasting offers many advantages that cannot be found in dry media blasting. First, it can be done using any of the many device formats available. The types of device formats available include total loss portable units, walk-in booths, hand cabinets, and automated production machinery. The process can also be done in the same time frame as conventional dry sand blasting.
Main benefit of using wet blasting is that surfaces remain intact after the process because they are protected. A lubricating cushion is created between the substrate and abrasive by the fluid. Therefore, the impact of the propulsion is reduced a lot. Additionally, the level of media breakdown is low and foreign materials do not get impregnated into the surface.
Use of dry media processing results into static forces which cause dust particles to cling onto surfaces. This never happens with wet blasting because the surface gets discharged of all static forces by the liquid. Also, a single equipment can work with more than one abrasive material without concern for contamination.
The levels of cleanliness achieved through use of wet materials makes the process to be more preferred for use in surface preparation. Surfaces can be prepared for bonding or coating operation using blasting. The resultant surfaces are normally very clean and improve the strength of the bond formed.