Variety Of Shot Blasting Applications

By Author: Daniel Owen
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Shotblasting is a dust free and rapid process that leaves the substrate clean and dry.

Shotblasting is usually used to remove something from a surface such as scale but sometimes it can be used to impart a particular surface to the object being Shotblasted for e.g. Rolls used to make a 2D finish.

Shotblasting consists of attacking the desired surface with one of many types of shots.

The shot can be various materials, the following are usually used in the process:

Small Balls Of Steel – Spherical (of various diameters)
Sand – The most common material used in Shotblasting, different grades of sand will give a different type of finish on the material being cleaned.
Silicon Carbide Granules
Chilled Iron – This is used to prepare surfaces of non-ferrous metals before recoating. Chilled iron is re-usable abrasive material with qualities very similar to that of Garnet.
Glass Beads – are used for the polishing of a surface rather than the removal of surface coatings. Glass beads are a soft abrasive material and this is used on plastics and soft metals.
Olivine ...
... – This is also a soft abrasive material but is for use on non-ferrous metals and decorative stone.

Spinning paddles witch hurl the shot of their blades or a large air gun are usually used as the device/method for Shotblasting. These are propelled at high speeds enabling the removal of paint, debris and buildup from the surface being shot.

During this process the surface or casting is placed upon a rotating conveyor, whilst the shots are being fired upon the surface or casting the conveyor rotates. The rotation of the conveyor allows for all sides of the surface to be cleaned when the metal abrasive is hurled towards the casting.

Shotblasting is a far more effective way to remove mill scale or deposits than Sandblasting because the blasting is done with Metal Shots.

Shots

Shot is the term for a Small, Spherical particle of metal that is used in the process of Shotblasting. Another definition for Shot is: The injection of Molten Metal into a die casting die. The metal is injected so quickly that it can be compared to the shooting of a gun. The metal is injected so quickly that it can be compared to the shooting of a gun. Streams of abrasive powder are blown under pressure through a nozzle ranging 30-150 pounds per square inch.

Common Shotblasting Applications

Tools and Garden Furniture.
Mild Steel and Cast Iron Radiators.
Automotive, Commercial and Plant Machinery
Wood Flooring, Oak Framed Buildings and Roofing Beams

Shotblasting has a wide range of uses
Shotblasting can be used on brickwork stone or concrete to remove Graffiti.
Shotblasting can be used on metals where rust is present and has started to penetrate the metal; it will not only clean the metal but remove all traces of rust. Because all the rust will be removed it prevents the reappearance of rust through the new topcoat.
Can be used on Hardwoods to give an antique effect.
The main use for Shotblasting though is as stated earlier: To prepare the surface for re-coating using powder coating, paints or varnish.

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About Author:

Daniel Owen writes about Shot Blasting. To know more about Shot Blasting, visit http://www.businessmagnet.co.uk