Abrasive blasting is a measure employed in a wide range of industries for maintenance, surface preparation as well as cleaning of different items. This process involves directing an abrasive material onto an item, making use of water or air at high pressure. What this does, alters the surface of said item for the desired results. Abrasive blasting is used in a lot of industries to good effect. In this article, we will highlight some industries where abrasive blasting is used.

Abrasive Blasting in Industrial Sectors

Before discussing the industrial uses of abrasive blasting in different sectors, it is important to highlight the functions of the process. Below are the functions of abrasive blasting.

• * It is used for thorough cleaning of the surface layer of items.

• * It helps in removing stains and rust.

• * It helps to create a smooth finish before the application of powder coating or paint.

• * It can be used for creating needed texture on the surface layer of an item.

Now that we have examined the functions of abrasive blasting, we can examine its common uses in commercial and industrial sectors.

1. Food Process Cleaning and Maintenance: Abrasive blasting has some important uses in the food industry. Abrasive blasting is used for cleaning and maintaining food making equipment that is made of metal, particularly stainless steel. This is done in order to remove harmful substances, present in cooking equipment. Harmful substances such as grease deposits and food stains are removed using abrasive blasting. Dry ice is the common abrasive material employed for food process cleaning and maintenance, in order to keep the process safe and healthy.

2. Painting Preparation: Before painting the surface of an item, it is essential to smoothen it and remove any debris present. This is a common usage of abrasive blasting in different industries. The item is blasted to remove debris and create a smooth surface, after which paint can be applied. Doing this will create an even finish, ensuring that the paint stays on for a long period of time.

3. Graffiti Removal: Graffiti artists can be a pain in the neck of homeowners, particularly when they draw on your walls. One of the best ways to clean up graffiti and have a clean surface is abrasive blasting. Natural materials such as walnut shells and con cobs are environmental-friendly abrasive options to use.

4. Wooden and Concrete Surface Restoration: Abrasive blasting is effective in the restoration of wooden and concrete surfaces. For such restoration, blasting is required in a mild form. Dry ice and soda are suitable materials.

5. Warehouse Cleaning: Abrasive cleaning of warehouses is a great way to get them back in good shape. Materials such as dry ice and glass beads are suitable for removing debris and residue in warehouses.

Conclusion

Other commercial and industrial uses of abrasive blasting include architectural component preparation, bridge maintenance, plastic injection mold cleaning, casting application sanding, railroad car maintenance, component surface preparation and etching as well as lifetime improvement of gears, shafts and bearings.