We Have Blast Off! | Wet Abrasive blasting | Wheel Blasting | Hydro-blasting

Have you ever wondered about those intricate processes that go on behind the scenes when we hear about abrasive blasting techniques that are required in heavy industry? Essentially, they are the most effective way to approach cleaning various surfaces and removing harmful build ups such as rust.  But were you aware that there are many different types of abrasive blasting and they each have a special place in their respective industry sectors. This article isn’t going to try and blind you with science, but will hopefully make these rather complicated activities a little easier to understand.

Wet abrasive blasting

This method of abrasive blasting has been around since the 1950’s and we need to say thanks to Norman Ashworth for his key part in its development. Wet abrasive blasting is extremely important in the building industry and can be used effectively to remove dangerous substances such as asbestos and radioactive material. As a result, the decontamination business are heavy users of this abrasive blasting method. The cleaning activity can take place by using portable units, cabinets and walk-in booths. A coarse media such as small steel particles can be utilised with water being the lubricating ingredient. The results are very impressive and because the remnants are never left on the surface, this method ticks all the safety boxes rather nicely.

Wheel blasting

This method of abrasive blasting uses the centrifugal force of a wheel to force the abrasive agent against an object in a way that displaces any loose or uneven particles on the surface. It is a popular choice when deflashing rubber and plastic structures and the preferred medium for this particular activity is plastic particles. The wheels in question can range from a few inches to industrial sized monsters in industrial buildings.

Bead blasting

This method of abrasive blasting is aimed at getting the finest possible finish and is heavily relied upon within the automotive industry. Fine glass beads are blasted onto the target surface in a way that cleans without damaging the areas whatsoever. It is also used to remove pain and smooth an uneven surface with the minimum fuss. You will see this method being heavily used in companies that refurbish wheels for car enthusiasts. Glass Bead blasting is also a very effective way to remove fungus and freshen up stale grout in the bathroom or kitchen.

Hydro-blasting

As the name suggests, hydro-blasting uses a high pressure stream of water to effectively remove old paint, chemicals or any type of removable build up from the target object’s surface. This method is favoured for three key reasons:

• The water can be reused up to 30 times for similar waste removal activities.
• There is no need to add any abrasive medium to this process.
• Because water is the only requirement for the hydro-blasting process, it can be used to access those more difficult to reach target areas.

Micro-abrasive blasting

This form of abrasive blasting is used for writing and engraving delicate surfaces such as glass. The process uses very fine nozzles to deliver a stream of abrasive material accurately in a way that does not damage the surface in any way. The abrasive material media are usually around 10-150 micrometres and the nozzles are typically between 0.25mm and 1.5mm in diameter. These setups usually take the shape of a bench mounted unit that includes the work area and the power/water supply. This form of glass decoration is favoured across the board and the skillset required to process this method is considerable.

About Author:

John Hinds writes for Lojix. His interests include blogging, reading, playing tennis, listening to music and traveling.