Scorpion Blast cabinet uses
Abrasive blasting
Abrasive blasting is commonly used for paint and coating removal, rust removal and general cleaning of parts prior to recoating.
There is no better way to return a component to its original condition than to clean it back to its base metal and recoat. And no other cleaning method is as effective as abrasive blasting. This cleaning method will remove virtually all coating and corrosion and provide the perfect surface for recoating. Abrasive blast cleaned new components will have the perfect surface for subsequent coating to adhere to.
Shot peening
Shot peening is a cold working process applied to the surface of metal parts to increase their resistance to fatigue failure, stress corrosion cracking, galling and fretting.
The process involves bombarding the surface of the part with a high velocity stream of peening media particles, manufactured from steel, glass or ceramic. As each particle strikes the surface, it produces a tiny round dimple. When complete peening coverage is achieved the overlapping dimples form a layer of compressive stress on the part surface.
This prevents cracks forming or enlarging and causing part failure. More information on shot peening and its application can be found at Blasting Accessories.
Surface preparation
Commonly surfaces are blasted and prepared prior to receiving a coating e.g. wet paint, powder coating, plasma metal spray, anodizing, electro plating etc. The correct degree of surface preparation is critical to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the coating.
Abrasive blasting the surface prior to application of the coating will provide an adequate key and correct degree of cleanliness for the coating to adhere to.
Surface etching
A product’s surface may be etched for a variety of reasons, most commonly it is to provide a keyed surface onto which the subsequently applied coating can bond. There is no better a way of preparing a substrates surface than by abrasive blasting. By altering the type and size of the blasting media different etch shapes and depth can be achieved to suit the type thickness of the coating to be applied.
Corrosion and rust removal
Steel items can be blasted to fully remove any rust and corrosion, and provide a suitably etched surface for recoating. Corrosion can occur on a variety of metals, not just steel; aluminum, stainless steel and other metals are also susceptible to corrosion. Utilizing different blasting media all corrosions can be effectively removed without causing damage to the component surface.
Plastic media blasting
Plastic media blasting is a very delicate, non agressive, form of blasting, utilising plastic granules as the blasting medium. PMB will remove coatings layer by layer down to the base material without causing any damage to the part, no etching and no warping. Plastic media blasting is commonly used to remove coatings from delicate aircraft and aerospace components requiring the gentlest touch. Tougher harder components ie, molds, automotives, boats, die castings etc may be plastic media blasted with more aggressive plastics without the fear of substrate damage or etching.
Surface texturing
Surface texturing may be applied directly onto the work piece or onto the mold in the case of plastic molded parts. Texturing may be applied for aesthetic purposes or to assist performance characteristics of the surface ie, a dimpled surface for oil increased retention.
Deflashing and deburring
Plastics, die castings, metal stampings and precision machined components are some examples of parts that may require deflashing or deburring. A variety of blasting media may be used depending on the substrate material and finish requirements of the parts.
Stainless steel finishing and sanitizing
Commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries for cleaning and finishing stainless steel processing equipment. Using ceramic beads or glass beads this process produces a smooth sterile surface finish free of nicks and blemishes that can harbour dirt, grim and germs.
Heat and weld stain removal
Unsightly welding, heat and soldering stains are effectively removed from a variety of substrates. Stainless steel is particularly prone to heat staining after fabrication, creating a bad impression of an expensively produced item. By utilizing ceramic beads or glass beads the staining can be completely removed and a beautiful surface finish applied to the part. A perfect before and after example of stainless steel heat stain removal can be seen at Blast & Peen.
Mould cleaning
During use molds accumulate a layer of contamination on their surface. The contamination can be caused by mold release agents, oils, carbon or the molding material itself. In order to maintain the quality of the parts being produced, or to enable mold repair, this contamination must be removed from the mold surface. Depending on the mold base material, and the texture required on the mold, a variety of blasting media may be used to remove mold contaminations.
Cosmetic and decorative finishing
The aesthetic appearance of parts can be greatly enhanced by abrasive blasting to create cosmetic and decorative finishes. Satin, matte, orange peel, sparkling are all examples of finishes that may be imparted onto a variety of items ie, window fittings, door handles, car components etc.
Heat scale removal
Heat scale is present on new steel or can be caused by a manufacturing process ie welding, heat treatment, hardening, tempering etc. Often the heat scale gives an unsightly appearance and does not provide a good surface for subsequent coatings to bond onto. Various blasting abrasives may be used to remove heat scale depending on the finish requirements and how tightly adhered the heat scale is. Generally glass beads or ceramic beads are used for easier to remove scale, and more aggressive steel grit, aluminum oxide or silicon carbide used for harder to remove scale.
Glass etching
Utilising a variety of different sized aluminum oxide and silicon carbide grits and the use of masking stencils creative designs on glass may be produced. Glass may be surface etched or depth carved to produce 3d effect. A good example and gallery of glass etching may be found at Artistry In Glass.
Paint stripping
Paint and coatings may be effectively removed by abrasive blasting in our Scorpion Blast cabinet. Both convention paint and powder coatings may be used with a variety of blasting media, the selection of which depends on the type of coating to be removed and whether the underlying surface requires etching or not. If surface etching is required steel grit or aluminum oxide may be used, if the substrate surface is not required to be etched we would recommend using glass beads or plastic media.
Foundry sand and ceramic removal
After sand casting, or ceramic investment casting, the cast component must be cleaned of residual sand and ceramic prior to further processing. This can be achieved utilizing steel shot or stainless steel shot depending on the product composition. Abrasive blasting is very effective at getting into all cavities, tight corners and holes to remove unwanted sand and ceramic molding material from the part.