Abrasives for shot blasting machine
The expression sand for sandblasting normally refers generically to the abrasive media used in the various shot blasting systems, both with compressed air and with turbine.
What is the abrasive to use for sandblasting?
Silica sand is common sand but its chemical name is silicon dioxide. Also known as quartz, silica is one of the most common minerals in the world. Silica sand is weathered quartz rock and is the type of sand found on most beaches around the world. It has a good efficiency for sandblasting because the particles are quite uniform in size and the almost microscopic sharp edges of the individual grains make it effective for removing the material from the object to be sandblasted.
The problem is that silica sand is an extremely toxic material and when used as an abrasive in blasting process it is very difficult to control. When the sand is thrown from a manual nozzle, the operator must always be protected by a ventilated full-face helmet. Blasting with silica sand has been prohibited in shipbuilding activities since 1999 (Legislative Decree 272 of 1999) and in building works since 2011 (Ministerial Decree 21/03/2011) and these regulations aim to protect workers from the risks associated with the use of silica.
The advantages of metal abrasives
Steel shot has become the most widely used abrasive for the various sandblasting processes thanks to the advantages it offers in terms of costs, quality and durability. This abrasive is obtained from the melting of metal scrap which is atomized by high pressure water jets: the metal grains thus obtained are subsequently hardened to give resistance, eliminating possible brittleness.
Each metal casting is controlled in order to obtain the production of a certain quantity of grit of different sizes. This is the case with spherical grits while angular grits are produced by grinding larger spherical grits.
Winoa with its 9 production sites around the world is able to guarantee the quality of its metal abrasives and is able to provide technical support to provide all customers with the most suitable solution for the best possible sandblasting process.
