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Sand Blasting

Last updated: April 9, 2019

What Does Sand Blasting Mean?

Sandblasting is the act of propelling very fine particles of an abrasive material at high velocity toward a surface in order to clean or etch it.

Sandblasting is often used as a way to prepare a surface prior to painting. It is commonly used to strip paint from machinery and metal, but it has many other uses as well.

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Corrosionpedia Explains Sand Blasting

The sandblasting process knocks loose any paint, coating or debris so that the surface can be washed clean with ease, resulting in an extremely smooth surface.

A sandblasting setup usually consists of three components:

  • Abrasive
  • Air compressor
  • Blaster nozzle

Sand was once the most commonly used material in this technique. However, other materials are now commonly used in its place, such as:

  • Steel grit
  • Copper slag
  • Walnut shells
  • Powdered abrasives
  • Coconut shell

There are two different processes for sandblasting:

  • Air-driven – Best suited for metal surfaces, to avoid water intrusion into the surface or prevent moisture buildup
  • Water-driven – Cools the surface to which it is applied, further reducing surface deterioration, most commonly used for brick and concrete surfaces

Proper safety gear should be used during the sand blasting process. The abrasive particles can irritate the eyes and skin, and if inhaled, can cause silicosis.

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Synonyms

Sandblasting

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