Defining shot blasting Shot blasting refers to the process of changing a metallic surface or removal of substances from a metallic surface using several devices such as air guns or spinning paddles.
The actual 'shot' can be made of various materials like sand, grains of silicon carbide or tiny steel balls depending on the type of scale, rust, paint or other impurities that need to be removed from the surface of the metal.
What is shot blasting used for? Shot blasting is used most commonly to clean the surface of metals.
Depending on the equipment used, this process is also used for changing the textures or surface coating of the metal for decorative purposes to enhance its appearance.
Shot blasting techniques: There are different shot blasting techniques used for various industrial purposes: • Abrasive blasting This method of metals involves spraying of abrasive materials like water, sand, high pressured air or fine glass particles at very high speeds on the metal to be cleaned or polished.
Abrasive blasting requires powerful and high-powered equipment and is frequently referred to as pressure washing or sand blasting.
For eco-friendly other organic and environment friendly materials may be used as a blasting medium such as basking soda.
Selecting the type of material to be used as a medium depends on the type of application.
Abrasive blasting equipment can vary from a small back pack sized shot blaster to industrial sized which can be the size of a trailer.
Most are designed to hold a specific blasting medium though some larger equipments may offer more flexibility as to the medium it can hold.
The cabinet of the machine is then connected to a hose with a nozzle on its mouth by which blasting professionals are able to direct the medium on the metallic surface.
• Grit blasting This is another form of where the medium used for blasting is gritty sand particles.
Grit blasting is commonly used for smoothing rough metallic surfaces or adding a rough texture to smooth metallic surfaces.
There are portable as well as stationery pieces of equipment that may be used for depending on the required pressure streams.
Small grains of sand are pressure-propelled from an air gun onto the metal.
Grit blasting is commonly used to achieve a frosted effect on metals or to clean off paint from metallic surfaces.
Another off-shoot of is bead blasting where small particles of glass are used for blasting rather than sand.
This is used to clean swimming pool floors off stains and fungus as well as on automobiles to clean paint.
Tips and precautions during shot blasting: 1.
Protective equipment like masks and gloves should be worn by blast operators.
Metals like Lead and Cadmium can be extremely toxic and trained personnel only should be allowed to handle the blasting operation.
2.
Shot blasting involves a high level of noise so protective equipment like noise mufflers should be used.
The actual 'shot' can be made of various materials like sand, grains of silicon carbide or tiny steel balls depending on the type of scale, rust, paint or other impurities that need to be removed from the surface of the metal.
What is shot blasting used for? Shot blasting is used most commonly to clean the surface of metals.
Depending on the equipment used, this process is also used for changing the textures or surface coating of the metal for decorative purposes to enhance its appearance.
Shot blasting techniques: There are different shot blasting techniques used for various industrial purposes: • Abrasive blasting This method of metals involves spraying of abrasive materials like water, sand, high pressured air or fine glass particles at very high speeds on the metal to be cleaned or polished.
Abrasive blasting requires powerful and high-powered equipment and is frequently referred to as pressure washing or sand blasting.
For eco-friendly other organic and environment friendly materials may be used as a blasting medium such as basking soda.
Selecting the type of material to be used as a medium depends on the type of application.
Abrasive blasting equipment can vary from a small back pack sized shot blaster to industrial sized which can be the size of a trailer.
Most are designed to hold a specific blasting medium though some larger equipments may offer more flexibility as to the medium it can hold.
The cabinet of the machine is then connected to a hose with a nozzle on its mouth by which blasting professionals are able to direct the medium on the metallic surface.
• Grit blasting This is another form of where the medium used for blasting is gritty sand particles.
Grit blasting is commonly used for smoothing rough metallic surfaces or adding a rough texture to smooth metallic surfaces.
There are portable as well as stationery pieces of equipment that may be used for depending on the required pressure streams.
Small grains of sand are pressure-propelled from an air gun onto the metal.
Grit blasting is commonly used to achieve a frosted effect on metals or to clean off paint from metallic surfaces.
Another off-shoot of is bead blasting where small particles of glass are used for blasting rather than sand.
This is used to clean swimming pool floors off stains and fungus as well as on automobiles to clean paint.
Tips and precautions during shot blasting: 1.
Protective equipment like masks and gloves should be worn by blast operators.
Metals like Lead and Cadmium can be extremely toxic and trained personnel only should be allowed to handle the blasting operation.
2.
Shot blasting involves a high level of noise so protective equipment like noise mufflers should be used.