Abrasive blasting is a widely available way to remove contaminants such as rust, paint, grease, and grime from surfaces and components. However, when selecting the material for optimal results, many want to find the safest blasting media. What should you consider if that is also your priority?
Consider the Surface’s Tolerance
Begin by considering the materials the blasted surface could withstand without scratching or receiving other surface-level damage. For example, some choose glass beads as the blasting media if the treated material is delicate or if they are working with a thin-walled application.
Conversely, aluminum oxide is a durable blasting media option, but its sharp edges better suit tough surfaces. It gives consistent performance, is easy to recycle and provides deep etching, which can promote the adhesion of paint or other coatings. Relatedly, you should ensure the particles will not harm shot-blasting equipment.
Plastic can be the safest blasting media for some circumstances because you can purchase it in different hardnesses and particle sizes for better project flexibility. It is a durable, silica-free option that leaves the treated surface free from residual deposits. However, this blasting media is not ideal for hard metals or finishing applications. It may also perform less efficiently on softer materials, requiring you to use it for longer to get the desired results.
Many professionals think steel shot and steel grit are the same products and serve identical purposes, but they are distinct options. Steel shot is a hard abrasive that can remove rubber buildup, epoxies or adhesives on surfaces that can tolerate it, while steel grit etches and erodes with its fast-stripping action. Some also use it to create new blast profiles to enable the adherence of new additives. Whereas steel shot is always spherical, steel grit is angular and randomly shaped. Both are aggressive, though.
Remain Mindful of Equipment-Related Factors
Although protecting the blasted surface from unintentional damage is one concern, some individuals want to safeguard the specialty equipment used in demanding industries. For example, South Africa’s mining industry frequently uses blasting agents within asset maintenance strategies. Cleaning equipment after use is a straightforward but effective way to prolong its life.
Dry-ice blasting methods use solid carbon dioxide pellets as the cleaning agents, which sublimate into carbon dioxide gas after hitting the material. The process is harmless and leaves no chemical residue or waste, so many decision-makers specifically select it to meet their environmental sustainability goals. Such choices have become increasingly important, with many authorities stipulating how sectors must operate to limit emissions and other adverse impacts.
If people see cleaning industrial equipment as too arduous, they may not do it as frequently as recommended, even if they know better. One of the advantages of cleaning industrial assets with blast media is it does not necessitate disassembly or time-intensive scrubbing. Both increase how long essential equipment is out of service, which can cause companies to lose profits and productivity.
Choosing the safest blasting media also requires considering the task at hand, especially when the surface subjected to the force is an item associated with a highly demanding industry, such as aerospace. Staff use abrasive blasting during aircraft refurbishment to clean and deburr surfaces. Coarse blast media applied at high pressure provide texture before refinishing, while softer media used at lower pressures gently cleans more delicate parts.
When people tend to jet turbines, they must choose media that will not create profiles or remove surface materials. Those changes could interfere with safety by hindering the component’s performance.
Work With Specialty Service Providers
Carefully developed products combine safety and effectiveness, resulting in highly satisfied users. 10X Engineered Materials has built its reputation on offering blasting media that is more technologically advanced than anything else on the market. Its product developers based their work on scientific and engineering principles, creating solutions that emphasize safety, productivity, efficiency and high quality. Because these alternatives also minimize the blasting media required to get the necessary results, they are more sustainable and cost-effective than traditional sandblasting media.
10X Engineered Materials specializes in superoxalloy abrasives, which are engineered alloys of oxide minerals that give exceptional surface quality at higher production speeds. DynamiX, KinetiX and EpiX are its primary product lines. DynamiX is its latest offering, made specifically for heavy-duty applications involving difficult-to-remove materials. Users get consistently excellent results that support safety and operational efficiency.
KinetiX is ideal for removing thicker materials, such as elastomeric, two-part epoxies and marine coatings. It also takes off electroplating metals, including chrome and zinc. Clients can buy KinetiX in three particle sizes to suit their projects’ needs.
The EpiX products suit customers needing smaller and stronger abrasive materials they intend to reclaim and reuse. These options provide a clean finish in a single step without scraping or requiring harsh chemical strippers. They are also available in two sizes.
All products from 10X Engineered Materials are recycled from verifiably safe mineral wool. Additionally, the products are low-dust formulations, and any inhaled particles are bio-soluble and quickly cleared. These features show the enterprise’s team takes its mission of offering the safest blasting media seriously and demonstrate why it pays to choose providers with well-established reputations.
Prioritize Worker Safety
Technicians face the threat of silicosis — a health condition that develops due to long-term exposure to silica dust. Those overseeing abrasive blasting operations should select low-dust options, such as those offered by 10X Engineered Materials. Some are also thinking outside the box to develop additional creative solutions that protect workers’ health while getting consistently excellent results.
One example comes from a Maine business owner who specialized in eco-blasting services after realizing no other service providers in his area offered them. His method uses pressurized water and crushed glass to remove contaminants. That approach suppresses the dust, keeping workers safer from the health effects of long-term exposure.
This business model increases worker safety in another way, too. Many clients choose this option to remove rust from old farm equipment, which prolongs its life and reduces some of the safety risks rust can cause if not addressed. Additionally, the blasting media is non-toxic, so workers experience no adverse effects from handling it. It is also safe to leave on the site if they do not want to clean up immediately, such as if their blasting plans span multiple days.
When managers choose carefully, they show employees they care about their well-being. Such decisions can increase retention rates and improve the likelihood that current workforce members will recommend the brand to others they know.
The Safest Blasting Media Support Your Efforts
Whether your priority is the surface you’re working with, the equipment’s longevity, worker safety or a combination of these factors, consciously choosing the safest blasting media aligns with your goals. Now is an ideal time to learn more about the offerings from specialty institutions to determine which would best suit your projects.
