Dry Sandblasting Vs Wet Sandblasting

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Dry Sandblasting Vs Wet Sandblasting
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Sandblasting is an extremely useful procedure in
a broad array of applications and industries. It
is useful for cleaning surfaces, deburring,
preparing surfaces for power-coating, de-rusting,
or removing paint. It is also popular in
non-destructive testing / non-destructive
examination (NDT / NDE), lining, coating,
refurbishing, restoration, architecture and many
other purposes. Sandblasting equipment can be
of two types Portable for use in situ or can be
stationary and installed in the workshop. There
are two types of sandblasting dry sandblasting
and wet sandblasting.
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In dry sandblasting, abrasive media and
compressed air are mixing in a pressurised vessel
and the mixture is propelled through a hand-held
nozzle onto the projected surface for blasting.
This process utilises abrasives to create a
high level of surface cleanliness to allow the
maintenance coating to adhere without needing any
secondary medium like water.
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Dry abrasive sandblasting equipment is relatively
cheaper, but the expense of encapsulating the
surface and increased consumption of abrasive and
media may be disproportionately large. If dry
sandblasting is conducted in an open space for
large surfaces, containment or encapsulation is
necessary to collect used abrasives, dust, and
hazardous paint particles. If conducted in a
blast room or blast cabinet, it is possible to
confine and recover abrasives and particle debris
inside an enclosed vacuum system and recycle the
abrasives. The vacuum systems key benefits are
its minimal waste and clean-up costs and is
especially beneficial for lead-based paints. Dry
abrasive sandblasting may not remove all soluble
salts in extensively corroded surfaces and the
surface may need to be tested for residual
contaminants.
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Wet Sandblasting is alternatively referred to as
wet blasting, vapour abrasive blasting, wet
abrasive blasting, vapour blasting, slurry
blasting and dustless blasting. Wet
sandblasting is similar to dry blasting but
involves an additional element of water along
with the abrasive media and air. The abrasive
media and chemically processed water (are mixed
in to form a slurry that is propelled onto a work
piece using high-velocity compressed air.
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Dry sandblasting remains the commonly used
blasting procedure for many applications for the
following reasons Cheaper Equipment Dry
sandblasting equipment is generally cheaper than
wet sandblasting equipment as they use simple
technology of mixing abrasive media and air only.
Recycling Abrasive media If the blasting
process is conducted in a contained chamber and
recovery systems installed, the abrasive media
can be recycled. Steel grit, and steel shot
abrasive media can be used many times over.
Efficiency Dry sandblasting is more vigorous
and offers a quicker cleaning efficiency
rate. Flash Rust As the process is not using
water, it reduces the risk of flash rust
developing on steel surfaces.
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Dust-free The most significant advantage of wet
sandblasting is virtually dust-free (gt95 dust is
encapsulated). No friction or static charge
There is a much lower risk of sparking and
explosions where flammable gases or materials are
present. Feathered Effect Wet sandblasting
provides a smooth feathered effect where the new
coating blends with an existing coating.
Versatility Wet sandblasting can be used on
practically any surface, including thin metal and
it significantly reduces the risk of warping.
Cleaning An additional benefit to wet blasting
is that the surface can be rinsed in the same
process to completely clean any residual paint or
contamination before applying the
coating. Cost-Effective Though slightly slower
than dry sandblasting, the wet sandblasting
process uses less abrasive media and compressed
air.
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1300 822 569
sales_at_quantumblast.com.au
www.quantumblast.com.au