Abrasive Blasting Technical Information

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The Dry Blasting Process

Abrasive blasting involves forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive materaial against the surface of a metal component, at high speed and high pressure. This results in the stripping-away of the top layer of the metal, removing rust and other particles that could cause contamination or degradation, but without damaging the metal component itself.

The process can vary depending on the type of abrasive used (sand, glass beads, aluminium oxide) and the size of the part being blasted. Parts can be blasted by hand or through an automated spindle, in enclosed blasting chambers or on open sites.

  • First, the alloy must be drained, and any holes in the product must be plugged or masked.
  • The part is placed in a blasting chamber that mixes the abrasive with the air to force the particles towards the product
  • The abrasives are propelled onto the product, either using a hand-held nozzle or using an automated spindle which propels the abrasive material against the metal surface using centrifugal wheels
  • The force of the impact of the particles strips them of their surface layer and any contaminants or rust particles

Types of Dry Abrasive Blasting

Sand/Garnet blasting

Sand or garnet particles are blasted onto the material at a very high pressure. Sandblasting is one of the fastest blasting processes, although it can be harsher on the metal than other blasting methods. This method is effective for cleaning the product as well as increasing its strength.

Glass Bead Blasting

Better for achieving a smoother finish, glass bead blasting involves propelling small glass beads onto the material. Glass bead blasting is gentler than sandblasting, and takes place at a lower pressure. Changing the size of the glass beads can change the gloss level of the surface finish. Glass beads can also be propelled towards the product using water instead of air; this process is known as wet blasting.

Shot Blasting

Small particles (usually of steel) are propelled rapidly through a throwing wheel towards the surface of the metal. This process usually results in a smoother finish.

Aluminium Oxide Blasting

Similar to sandblasting, aluminium oxide is a harder material used for cutting harder metals and polishing metal components prior to painting.

Quality Testing, Standards and Compliance

Our quality testing lab onsite is used to ensure all DECO Industrial products comply with Australian standards for durability, corrosion resistance and appropriate thickness.

AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015

DECO Industrial is accredited to AS/NZS ISO9001:2015 for metal finishing services including abrasive blasting, mechanical finishing and slurry peening. This means all our products and blasting processes meet consumer requirements as well as Australian regulatory requirements.

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification

DECO Industrial is currently undergoing the ISO 14001 certification process. ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification states that an organisation and its industrial processes produce minimal damage to the environment and meet standards set out in Australian environmental laws.

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