Media blasting is a type of rough abrasive blasting where sodium carbide particles are rapidly blasted against a hard surface with compressed air. It has a less harsh and abrasive effect than granulating sandblasting. An early use found was in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty in New York City in the mid-1990s. Its popularity is growing in other cities such as Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C.
When steel or other metal objects are exposed to dust, rust, and airborne pollutants, their surface forms scratches and damage which cause them to lose their original luster. These blemishes are unattractive and can prevent people from seeing the original luster of a metal object. This can be avoided when cleaning using media blasting techniques. The methods usually employ compressed air or high-pressure air to blast away contaminants and restore luster to metallic surfaces. In addition, they remove the need for harsh cleaners which may harm the steel or metal object and leave them blemished.
Many industries benefit from media blasting because it produces quick cleanups when compared to manual sandblasting, oiling, greasing, and other common methods. This method also saves on labor costs and reduces environmental pollution from oil sludge and other byproducts of oil and gas production. When properly used, it minimizes damage from abrasives such as grinding, scraping, etc., and keeps surfaces clear and free of imperfections and burrs. The most common media blasting products are high-pressure air and pulsed spray. Know more about Media Blasting here!
Some of the most common contaminants that are removed with media blasting include rust, peeling paint, watermarks, corrosion, oil, dust, algae, fungus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and chloride. Most of these contaminants can be removed using media blasting methods alone or in combination with other methods such as surface coating, hardening, deburring, and other processes. When blasting a metal substrate, the system uses compressed air or a tungsten carbide wire. The air is propelled onto the substrate at very high speeds. As the air passes over the surface areas, it hardens the surface of the substrate by using abrasives and sharp tools. Read more about pressure washing at http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/08/05/dirty-deck-driveway-or-h_n_5651785.html.
With the development in technology, there are many new processes that are being introduced in industries. One such media blasting method is sandblasting. Sandblasting involves the use of fine abrasive material such as silicon carbide particles, sand, or even aluminum oxide. This process is usually performed on flat surfaces which need to be engraved, etched, or sanded. It also helps to create very smooth flat surfaces.
Other methods of media blasting from this link are dry abrasive blasting, wet abrasive blasting, and gas blasting. In dry abrasive blasting, the particles used in this process will be powdered. These particles are shot into a very large drum and they will fly out and hit other surfaces at very high speeds. This can easily damage the surface of the material being blasted if the particles lack the right composition. On the other hand, if the particles have the right composition, they will be able to quickly remove the material being blasted.
