Companies that make use of coating for steel and other materials for construction and renovation work should perform a cleaning procedure before the coating process. This is what they call abrasive blast cleaning. This is essential in first stage of treatment and can be done through mechanical cleaning with the continuous impact of abrasive particles at high velocities on to the steel surface either in a jet stream of compressed air or by centrifugal impellers. The latter method includes large stationary equipment filled with bladed wheels to which abrasive is fed. This process is extremely efficient in cleaning mill scales and rusted surfaces to ensure that coating will adhere properly to the surface.
Since the steam of abrasive material is being used with a propeller to produce high pressure in smoothing the rough surface before coating, there are several variants of the process which includes bead blasting, sand blasting, and shot blasting which is very common in some car plants that are making refurbished parts for reuse to cars and other automobiles. Abrasive system makes use of an air compressor which is sometimes mounted to semi tractor trailers for added strength when blasting.
The following are some of the blasting techniques that require abrasive blast cleaning.
- Wet abrasive blast cleaning is the ability to use extremely fine or coarse media like minerals, hot or soap water to allow simultaneous degreasing and blasting, elimination of dust and other poisonous products from components and structures leading to effective decontamination.
- Bead blasting removes the surface deposits by means of fine glass beads at a high temperature which will not damage the surface. It is used prior to the application of auto paint and when paint needs changing.
- Hydro blasting is used with a highly pressured steam of water in removing paints, chemicals and dust build up without damaging the surface.
- Micro abrasive blasting is used when you want to deliver small or fine steam of abrasives for a small part or for the surface of large area. Also called as pencil blasting, a fine jet of abrasive is used to write directly on the glass surface and other delicate parts to cut a pattern with a nozzle used for the operation.
- Automated blasting is performed by automation of abrasive blast cleaning that involves treatment in the preparation of coating application and is widely being used in mechanical components which are subject to dust
- Dry ice blasting is one of the most sought after types of abrasive cleaning since it uses soft ice to directly hit the contact area for cleaning. It is less destructive to other materials but needs proper care when being cleaned.
- Bristle blasting is performed using a rotary tool that is made of high carbon wires for some rebound or crater formations.