The Versatility of Abrasive Blasting
Abrasive blasting has been around for a while now, in fact, abrasive blasting was first patented in 1870. It has come a long way since those days, with modern abrasive blasting being used in a range of industries for a number of reasons. Sometimes it is used to make rough surfaces smooth, and other times to make smooth surfaces rough, or perhaps to remove surface contaminants, or even to prepare a surface for coating.
Sand Blasting
Sand has been a popular medium for abrasive blasting, as it is effective and is relatively common, and it is used to clean heavy machinery and vehicles. While sand is an efficient medium, it can cause health problems and is in fact, banned from being used for abrasive blasting in some countries. This is a time saving way of stripping paint from almost any surface, and it is popular because it is quick and efficient in achieving the desired finish.
Soda Blasting
This specialised service would be available from an established company like Direct Blast, and it is ideal for more delicate surfaces, and by using compressed air to fire the soda particles onto a painted surface, it will soon strip the paint away. Soda blasting is ideal for the following surfaces:
- Metal
- Alloy
- Fibreglass
- Carbon Fibre
- Plastic
Soda blasting can be used to clean brickwork or stone, and is ideal for degreasing an engine. It can also be used to strip paint from timber and bitumen, and is a very versatile medium for abrasive blasting. The blast medium is specially formulated from bicarbonate of soda, and it is environmentally friendly, and can be used in the catering business, as it is non-toxic.
Other Media
Walnut and coconut shell are also effective materials for abrasive blasting, as are beads, steel grit, and copper slag. The medium used would very much depends on what material is being treated.
Mobile Solutions
More often than not, the surface that needs to be treated is inaccessible to a large machine, and a mobile sandblasting solution is called for. We at Direct Blast have been providing essential services to a range of industries for many years, and with a selection of treatments to prepare surfaces for coatings, we are able to support many businesses in the Perth area with fast, effective blasting services.
Dustless Blasting
Using a mixture of recycled glass and water, dustless blasting is more effective than most other media, and the water prevents heat build-up. This is more eco-friendly than other mediums, which is why it is growing in popularity, and with a range of applications, it is a fast and efficient alternative to sand or soda ash. The automotive industry prefers to use dustless basting as it is both safe and effective, and other industries are beginning to see the benefits of using a more eco-friendly medium in blasting treatments.
Modern techniques and up to date machinery allows us to provide the ultimate service across a range of industries, so if you need our services contact us today.