What is the best method?

The best way in choosing the best method is by way of understading its working conditions, how it is applied, knowing its best uses and or its versatability. This article will help you understand blasting in a working environment.

WHAT IS DRY BLASTING?

Dry blasting, also known as abrasive blasting, uses compressed air to propel abrasive particles at high speed against a surface. The abrasive, like sand, glass beads or crushed walnuts shells, knocks off rust, paint, and other coatings from the blasting surface.

How it Works?

A dry blasting machine has three main components: the abrasive, compressed air, and a blasting gun. The abrasive is fed into the compressed air stream and propelled out of the blasting gun at high velocity. As the abrasive particle strike and blasting surface, they fracture the bonds between the coating and the substrate, stripping the surface clean.

Applications

Dry blasting is commonly used to remove rust, paint and other coatings from metal surfaced like steel beams, equipment, pipes, and building exteriors. It’s often used prior to repainting or other refinishing processes. Dry blasting can also be used to etch into glass or stone, providing a frosted appearance. Some artists use dry blasting to create texture and depth in sculptures and other art pieces.

HYDRO BLASTING: A Water-Based Alternative

If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly way to clean surfaces, hydro blasting might be for you. Unlike dry blasting methods that use abrasive materials, hydro blasting uses highly pressurized water to clean and strip surfaces.

How it Works?

With hydro blasting, water is pumped to an extremely high pressure, usually between 10,000 to 40,000 PSI, and then sprayed through a specialized nozzle. The intense water pressure does the cleaning work, blasting away dirt, grime, paint, rust, and other debris from the surface. Since it only uses water, hydro blasting is a very eco-friendly and chemical-free cleaning method.

Best uses

Hydro blasting works great for cleaning industrial equipment, removing paint and coatings, cleaning concrete surfaces, and marine cleaning applications like ship hulls or offshore oil platforms. It’s also commonly used to clean food processing equipment since it sanitizes as it cleans. Compared to dry blasting, hydro blasting caused little to no damage to the underlying surface.

VAPOR BLASTING: Cleaning with Vaporized Media

Vapor blasting uses vaporized media, like crushed glass, plastic, or baking soda, to gently clean surfaces. The vaporized media is blasted at a lower pressure than traditional sandblasting, so it won’t damage the underlying surface. This makes vapor blasting ideal for cleaning delicate materials like wood, glass, and soft metals.

A gentle clean

The vaporized media is heated until it turns into a gas, then propelled out of a blasting gun at around 6-120 PSI. This produces a soft, feather-like blast that lifts aways dirt and debris from the surface. The lower pressure means vapor blasting won’t etch into the material like sandblasting can. It provides a deep clean without altering the surface profile.

Environmentally-friendly

Vapor blasting is also and eco-friendly cleaning method. The vaporized media is inert, non-toxic, and fully recyclable. It won’t contaminate the area around the blast site and won’t release hazardous chemical into the atmosphere. The spend media can be collected and re-used multiple times before needing replacement. Some popular choices include crush glass, baking soda, and plastic beads.

Versatile uses

Because it’s such a gentle process, vapor blasting has become a popular cleaning technique for antique restoration, graffiti removal, and industrial cleaning. It can be used to clean everything from delicate stonework and brick facades to classic car parts, bakery equipment, and more. The low pressure means it won’t damage surfaces or wear any at edges and details like sandblasting can.

If you need an eco-friendly and non-abrasive cleaning method for delicate items, vapor blasting is an excellent option. It provides a deep clean without the damage of harsher methods. When done right, vapor blasting can make surfaces look like new while preserving their integrity. It’s a win-win for restoration and industrial cleaning projects alike.

AMPP'S MATERIALS PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR BLASTING OPERATIONS

Assessment and Planning

To ensure effective material's protection during blasting, proper assessment and planning are crucial. The AMPP standards require a detailed site assessment to determine the condition and sensitivity of structures and materials in the vicinity. Things like building construction, age, and condition are evaluated, as are the locations and types of utilities, water lines, and other infrastructure. With this information in hand, a comprehensive blasting plan can be developed that specifies blast hole patterns, detonation sequences, and other details to minimize vibration and air overpressure.

Flyrock Prevention and Control

Uncontrolled flyrock can be a safety hazard and may cause damages, so the AMPP standards require measures to prevent and contain flyrock. Things like blast hole stemming, angled holes, and blast mats or other shielding are commonly used. The blasting are must be cleared of people and secured prior to detonation. Inspections are done post-blast to ensure all flyrock has been contained before reopening the area.

By following these comprehensive standards, blasting operations can be conducted safely and responsibly while avoiding damage and protecting people, property, utilities, and the environment. The AMPP helps contractors, regulators, and communities work together through guidelines backed by decades of experience.