Blasting is the process of removing surface contamination by propelling a blast of media at it.
This blog post will take you through the process and show you what materials are used in blasting, how to set up an area for blasting, and why it’s important to be safe when working with explosives.
What Is Blasting and What Does It Do?
Blasting is a technique used to remove layers of material from a surface to remove things like paint, rust, and other materials.
The process has been around since ancient times and is still used today for a variety of projects. The blasting creates a lot of noise, but not to worry, the loud noise won’t harm you.
So, How Does Blasting Actually Work?
We use blasting technology to blow off layers of material in a very specific way.
First, we fill an industrial-grade container to the proper capacity with powdered soda. After filling the container, we load it with our blasting media, usually an abrasive that is designed to wear off other surfaces.
We then load the gun with the blasting media. To begin the blasting process, we pull the trigger.
This causes a valve to open on the container and pressurised air is let in, pushing the soda and blasting media out through the nozzle. As it spews out, the blasting media is propelled at the surface we want to blast.
As it travels through the air, it breaks off small particles of wear away material on the surface.
The Process of Blasting, Including Materials Used and Safety Precautions
Blasting Process Overview
The blasting process consists of several steps, below we will briefly talk about the steps involved to give you a better idea of the entire process from start to finish, we will also mention what materials you should use as well as talk about any safety precautions that you should take.
The first step in the blasting process is the filling process. This involves putting the blasting media into the tank, and it takes approximately 30 seconds to complete this step.
The blasting media consists of grit, sand, and various other abrasives, though it can also be a mix of several materials. The blasting material can be any material that is designed to wear away at the material it is blasting away.
The next step is loading the blasting gun. You will want to load the gun so that the blasting material is loaded evenly across the entire length of the gun.
Next, we will move on to trigger pulling. To pull the trigger, you are going to need a material that is not flammable.
In order to pull the trigger, you will first need to place the high-pressure cylinder onto the high-pressure tank, you will need to turn the tank on and then place the metal cylinder into the tank, once you have done that, you will need to find a high-pressure hose that you will need to put on the other end of the cylinder. Once you have removed the black cap and attached the hose, you can then place the trigger firmly on the cylinder.
Now you need to push the trigger down until you hear a click. The next step for the blasting process would be the actual blasting itself.
To start, you would need to turn on the compressed air. Then, you would then need to place the blasting nozzle against the material that you are blasting and then move the blasting nozzle back and forth, while moving the blasting nozzle back and forth you will eventually cause the blasting media to leave the nozzle and fall against the surface that you are blasting.
You will need to let the blasting media sit in a position for about ten seconds for the blasting media to start to blast away at the porous material. You will need to do this step for each porous material that you are blasting away.
Finally, once the blasting process is complete, you will need to remove the blasting media from the tank, and only then will you be able to remove the metal cylinder from the tank.
Materials Used in the Blasting Process
Here is a list of some of the most common materials used for the blasting process:
- Grit is coarse grain-sized sand. It is typically used for surface preparation, rust removal, paint removal, and other common tasks in the blasting process.
- Sand is another type of abrasive that is used in the blasting process. Sand is used to remove coatings, corrosion, scale, paint, and various other materials.
- Soda is used in the blasting process to remove rust, corrosion, paint, scale, and various other surfaces. Soda is also used for other applications, such as cooking and cleaning.
What Precautions You Should Take Before Starting the Blasting Process
Safety precautions should be taken in the blasting process.
There are general safety procedures and procedures that are applied specifically to blasting. Before beginning the blasting process, you will need to collect the proper safety equipment, also you will need to wear the appropriate safety gear.
The correct safety equipment includes the following:
- Eye Protection, Safety glasses/goggles
- Ear protection/plugs
- Protective clothing, gloves and footwear
- Respiratory protection
How to Set up an Area for Blasting
- Make sure there are no flammable materials in the vicinity that you blast.
- Always place the blasting nozzle against the hard surface and then turn the nozzle so that the abrasive material comes away from the nozzle, and then move onto the next surface.
- Blasting should be done in a well-ventilated area. If you are doing the process outside, you will need to set up an exhaust ventilation system.
- Do not blast away too much at once. Blasting away too much at one time will not be as effective.
- Do not blast at too high a speed. Blasting at too high a speed will not be as effective. Blasting should be done at a slow, steady speed.
- Do not blast too closely to the surface that you are blasting.
Different Types of Media That Can Be Used in the Process of Blasting
You might be wondering what types of media can be used when in the process of blasting. There are lots of different types of media that can be used in the blasting process.
Some of the most common types of media that are used are the following:
- Concrete
- Glass
- Concrete Aggregate.
- Stainless Steel.
- Glass Beads.
- And many more.
These are some of the most common types of media, but there are also other types, if you need any help or have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.
When Should You Blast Your Surface(s)
Once you know what kind of material you need to blast, make sure that you have the right equipment, and make sure that you have the appropriate experience, you should also know when you should blast your surfaces.
In many cases, you will need to apply professional paint removers to remove certain coatings. A common mistake that many make, when removing coatings, is that they tend to blast away too much.
These coatings have to be dissolved and not blasted away. If you try to blast too much, then you will completely remove all of the coatings.
Summary
The process of blasting is an effective way to remove dirt, grease, and other stains from any surface.
However, it can be dangerous if not done properly or with the right materials. To make sure you are following all safety precautions when using this cleaning method in your business, follow these guidelines for setting up an area for blasting and ensuring that you always use appropriate media types during the process.
Once your surfaces have been blasted clean, they will look like new! Have you considered hiring a professional company?
Is there a dirty spot on one of them that could use some TLC? Give us a call today – we’re ready to help blast away any grime our customers may need removing!