Sandblasting, also known as abrasive blasting, is a surface finishing technique where abrasive particles are sprayed against a surface at high pressure using a powered machine, often an air compressor and a sandblasting machine. Since sand particles are used to blast the surface, it is known as “sandblasting”. Technically speaking, the word “sandblaster” should refer only to a media blasting machine that makes use of silica particles, but the designation is used to describe any media blaster, regardless of its blasting media. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Midwest Finishing Systems, Inc.
Hartland, WI | 800-854-0030Our sandblast equipment is designed to handle a wide variety of applications and we use manufacturing methods that guarantee these machines will stand the test of time.
Great Lakes Finishing Equipment
South Elgin, IL | 708-345-5300We have decades of experience in the finishing industry and we specialize in aqueous washing, abrasive blasting, vibratory finishing, polishing and buffing.
Innovative Peening Systems, Inc.
Norcross, GA | 770-246-9883Innovative Peening Systems provides shot peening and abrasive blasting equipment manufacture. We offer custom blasting machines, designed to your specifications. Innovative Peening Systems also can rebuild industrial machinery and offer total automation.
Guyson Corporation of USA
Saratoga Springs, NY | 800-228-7894Designers and builders of industrial cabinet-blast machinery, including manual, semi-automatic and fully automated air-blast systems, standard and custom-engineered wet blasting machines, wheel-blast machines, shot peening systems, robotic blast systems and precision surface preparation systems.
Surface Blasting Systems, LLC
Coopersville, MI | 800-727-2442Surface Blasting Systems specializes in designing and building blasting equipment to meet the individual customer's needs. We listen to your exact requirements and determine the best solution, whether suction, pressure or a wheel blaster, and then we make it as durable as possible.
The texture of the surface becomes smoother and more uniform when the sand particles impact it. Sandblasting makes use of the abrasive qualities of sand to produce surfaces that are smoother and have fewer physical faults. It goes without saying that sand is abrasive and coarse.
These characteristics allow it to remove extra or undesired material from a surface by wearing it away. For instance, sandpaper has a large number of tiny sand particles in it. The sand smooths out the roughness of a surface by scraping away some of the top-layer material. The only difference between sandblasting and that process is the use of highly pressured sand.
How Sandblasters Work
Pouring the sand into the sandblasting machine is the initial stage in sandblasting. Sandblasting machines have a chamber on top in which the sand is deposited. When the air compressor is turned on, it connects to the sandblasting machine and releases the sand through a handheld nozzle.
Sand pressure can range from 50 to 130 pounds per square inch depending on the parameters (PSI). The surface is subsequently "blasted" with sand, which thanks to its abrasive qualities can produce a smoother finish. For instance, concrete is frequently sandblasted. The concrete is treated with sandblasting after it has been poured and given time to dry. The procedure smoothes out the concrete by removing some of the extra material.
Types of Sandblasters
The different types of sandblasters include:
Slurry Blasting Equipment
It is possible to convert dry blasting equipment to offer wet blasting. Air abrasive water blasters are another name for slurry blast devices. An air blasting pistol is equipped with a water injection nozzle or water ring (halo), which adds water to the blast media stream. They reduce the amount of dust produced by 50% to 85%. Less effective in controlling dust than water induction or injection nozzles are the water ring or halo nozzles.
Slurry blasters offer a great degree of versatility because they can dry blast, wet blast, rinse, and dry parts. Cleaning up the muddy mess left behind by slurry blasters in field applications is one disadvantage. The hefty water hose that is coupled to the slurry blast equipment makes it difficult for the operator to carry and manage.
Abrasive Blasters
The traditional sandblasters known as "abrasive blasters" are made to strike a surface with sharp, hard grains. Aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, coal slag, garnet, mineral sands, olivine, pumice, staurolite, broken glass, abrasive sponge media, micro-abrasives, and copper slag are some examples of the compositions used in blasting abrasives. Abrasive blasters' blast nozzles, blast hoses, and surfaces need to be more wear-resistant and need to be maintained and replaced more frequently.
Non Abrasive Blasters
Walnut shells, soda (sodium bicarbonate or baking soda), plastic grit, maize cobs, and starch are examples of non-abrasive media. Abrasive blasters do not require components with the extraordinary wear resistance of equipment built for blasting non-abrasive media. Internal surfaces, blast nozzles, and blast hoses should last longer before needing to be replaced.
Applications of Sandblasters
- A professional sandblaster can use media blasting equipment for a variety of tasks, but the method by which they complete these tasks is always the same: compressed air or water propels small, abrasive materials toward a surface in order to alter its properties. This is one of the few concepts that all media blasters share. To meet the various demands for media blasting services, media blasters come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations.
- An automated blasting system may be efficient for businesses that provide blasting services for small parts on a big scale since it can enable a continuous treatment stream with a minimum of technical monitoring. A blasting cabinet may be a better option for businesses that provide meticulous, customized blasting of particular things since it gives professionals the most control over the procedure while reducing the risk of bodily damage.
- For blasting specialists to provide their services to clients whose property has been vandalized, is at risk of corrosion, or needs maintenance like painting or finishing, portable media blasters are essential.
