| |
Sand blasting or Abrasive blasting
Sandblasting, bead blasting or abrasive blasting...Is it
really the same thing? The short answer is yes! For many
years the term sandblasting was used simply because the
abrasive choice was sand. Well times have changed! We do not
recommend using sand in any of our blasters.
An abrasive blaster works on the principle of high pressure
compressed air being used to force a mix of air and fine
abrasive through a nozzle. The abrasive particles will
quickly remove paint, rust, corrosion, dirt, and
discoloration from many different types of surfaces. Just as
there are many surfaces to be cleaned there are many
different types of abrasive materials that can be used.
Although there are many reasons, we believe there are three
important reasons why we do not recommend the use of sand.
The first reason is a health and safety concern. Sand
contains silica which can cause serious respiratory
illnesses. The use of a proper respirator with most
abrasives will reduce your health risks. The second reason
is due to the high moisture content and the impurities in
sand. It can cause equipment blockages and other moisture
related problems that can cause premature failure of your
blast equipment. The third reason is sand just does not work
as well as other abrasives. Sand used once in a blaster
turns into a powder and loses its abrasive capabilities.
Using the correct abrasive can make the job go quicker and
using the right abrasive can give you a more desirable
finish to the item you are blasting. Remember, time is
money!
When choosing the right abrasive for the job, the size,
hardness, mass, sharpness break down rate and reclaim
capabilities should be considered.
We have gone as far as taking the words "sand blasting" our
of our catalogs and other printed materials. One could argue
that sand is plentiful and easy to find. Many users do not
know there are other options to sand so they have never
invested the time looking for anything else. Larger cities
have multiple suppliers of abrasive for blasters. If you
open your local phone book and look under sand blasting
supplies you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find.
For the computer user, a Google search of "abrasive
supplies" may be very informative.
The following are a few common types of abrasives with some
general recommendations for uses.
| |
Coal Slag |
| |
■ |
Also referred to as
Black Beauty, Black Magic, and Black Magnum |
| |
■ |
Used to remove rust,
paint and scale from steel |
| |
■ |
Fast cutting and will
not collect moisture |
| |
■ |
Economical |
| |
Steel Grit |
| |
■ |
Used to remove rust,
paint and scale from steel |
| |
■ |
Fast cutting |
| |
■ |
Leaves a smooth finish |
| |
Silicone Carbide |
| |
■ |
Used to remove paint
and rust |
| |
■ |
Stays sharper longer |
| |
■ |
Popular for glass
etching |
| |
■ |
Is generally used in
reclaim systems or blast cabinets |
| |
Glass Bead |
| |
■ |
Used in general
cleaning |
| |
■ |
A very fine materials |
| |
■ |
Is generally used in
reclaim systems or blast cabinets |
| |
■ |
Leaves a satin or matte
finish |
| |
Aluminum Oxide |
| |
■ |
Used in paint removal
and general cleaning |
| |
■ |
Is sharper than glass
bead and stays sharper longer |
| |
■ |
Is generally used in
reclaim systems or blast cabinets |
| |
■ |
Used in glass etching |
| |
Walnut Shells |
| |
■ |
Used in cleaning and
paint removal on delicate surfaces such as wood |
| |
■ |
Great for removing
carbon or paint from aluminum |
| |
■ |
Leaves a very smooth
finish |
| |
■ |
Is generally used in
reclaim systems or blast cabinets |
| |
Plastic Grit |
| |
■ |
Used for removing paint
without damaging soft surfaces such as fiberglass |
| |
■ |
Very low dust |
| |
■ |
Used on aircraft parts
and boat parts |
| |
■ |
Is generally used in a
reclaim system or blast cabinet |
| |
Corn Cob |
| |
■ |
Used in cleaning
delicate surfaces |
| |
■ |
Popular with the wood
crafter |
| |
■ |
Used in cleaning stone
and glass |
There are many additional abrasives
available. Check with your local "sandblasting" or abrasive supplier for the
best application. Have a blast!
ALC Abrasive Blasters
Cleveland, Ohio |
|
|