SANDBLASTING SERVICES IN PHOENIX, AZ

Also called abrasive-blasting, sandblasting is a surface finishing method involving the utilization of a powered machine — usually air compressors in addition to a sandblasting machine — to spray abrasive granules under high-pressure towards surfaces. It is called “sandblasting” since it blasts surfaces with granules of sand. When the sand granules strike surfaces, they produce a smoother and more even texture. Keep reading to learn more about this type of surface finishing process and how it’s carried out.

HOW DOES SANDBLASTING WORK?

Summary of Sandblasting

Sandblasting forces the abrasive characteristics of sand that creates smoother surfaces with less physical defects and shortcomings. It’s not a secret that sand is gritty and coarse. Because of these characteristics, sandblasting is able to wear away at excessive or undesirable material on surfaces. Sandpaper, for instance, comprises of a lot of individual particles of sand. When moved back and forth on surfaces, the sand removes portions of the top layer material, as a result, creating a smoother texture. Sandblasting works likewise except it requires the utilization of highly pressurized sand.

How Sandblasting Is Performed

The primary step in carrying out sandblasting is the pouring of sand into the sandblasting machine. These machines have chambers on their top in which the sand gets poured. The sandblasting machine then gets connected to a traditional air compressor that, when turned on, forces the sand out through a hand-held nozzle. Subject to the settings, the pressurization of the sand could be anywhere from 50 PSI to 130 PSI.

Following that sand is “blasted” across the surface, and because of its abrasive characteristics, the sand is capable of creating a smooth surface. Concrete, for instance, is typically sandblasted, to either clean it or preparing it for something. Following the concrete being poured and allowed to harden, it’s then sandblasted. This process removes portions of the excess material on the concrete, as a result making it smooth.

Sandblasting vs Shot Blasting

Sandblasting is just one of many blasting-type surface finishing methods. Additionally, there is also shot blasting, in which is even more efficient at smoothing unrefined and coarse surfaces. What’s exactly the difference from sandblasting and shot blasting?

With sandblasting, sand is forced against surfaces. With shot blasting, at the same time, tiny metal balls or beads are forced against surfaces. The balls or beads are usually comprised of copper, stainless steel, aluminum, or iron. Nevertheless, each one of these metals are more hard than sand, making shot blasting more efficient than its sandblasting equivalent.