Blasting is a type of metal surface treatment in which an abrasive material is struck against the product.
But in what cases is blasting used?
So, this time we will explain the characteristics of blasting and common problems.
What is blast processing?
We often hear about blasting in connection with metal surface finishing and metal processing requests. Blast is written as "Blast" in English. Blast means "to blow, to blow out."
In other words, it is a processing method that involves spraying something onto the surface. Please see the photo below (a screenshot of our company being featured on TV).
Do you understand? ?
Something white is spraying out from the tip of the nozzle.
In this case, it is sprayed onto a stainless steel plate.
Then the surface is roughened, patterned, glittered or pear-skinned.
This is the blasting process.
There are so many names for blasting processing, but why?
There are several variations in blasting processes.
Therefore, it is often expressed as shot blasting or air blasting.
This is due to the difference in the spraying method.
Broadly speaking
・Air blasting (blow with dry air)
・Wet blasting (using the power of water)
- Shot blasting (projectiles are fired using an impeller)
It should look like this.
What is the difference between each blasting method?
Strictly speaking, it varies from company to company, but generally, air blasting is used for rust removal, decoration, and pre-painting.
Wet blasting is used to clean oily objects such as machine parts while blasting them, and because it is a wet process, it is ideal for blasting metals that are prone to explosion.
Shot blasting uses a powerful impeller to blast heavy projectiles, so it is used for shot peening machine parts and wear-resistant parts, and to remove the black scale from castings.
Incidentally, air blasting is commonly used to apply decorative designs to stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum.
What is being sprayed with the blaster?
There are several types of blasting available.
It is roughly divided into different uses.
■For decoration
・Glass beads
・Zirconia beads
■Rust removal, paint prep, paint stripping
・Alumina blasting (commonly known as sandblasting)
・Iron and stainless steel cut wire
■Shower plates in vacuum equipment, etc.
・Powder blasting
■Vacuum equipment adhesion prevention plate
・Silicon carbide and alumina
We use them for different purposes.
Does the appearance change if you change what you spray with blasting?
How does the appearance change when you change what you spray on it?
Please see the photo below.
This was all done by air blasting, with different projectile materials.
The effect varies greatly depending on the material being sprayed, the density of the blasting material (amount sprayed), the projection distance (distance between the nozzle and the material), and the air pressure.
What do you think? The good thing about blasting is that you can adjust it to suit your image and purpose.
Incidentally, blasting parts that are inserted into the heart of semiconductor and liquid crystal manufacturing equipment requires precise management. Extremely detailed manufacturing capabilities are required, including particle size control and post-processing roughness control. Furthermore, in the case of aluminum parts, they are compatible with anodizing, so collaboration with plating manufacturers is essential.
Common problems with blasting
Here are some common problems to consider.
First, the blasting materials (the materials and equipment to be sprayed) must be managed according to the material being processed.
For example, imagine that you decoratively blast stainless steel while leaving the blasting materials and equipment used to remove the black scale from the iron or pre-treat it for painting. This will cause fine iron powder to adhere to the surface of the stainless steel, resulting in "rust transfer." You're hoping for a beautiful design, but then brown spots appear, which is disappointing. This point is very important.
Next are warping, deformation, and distortion.
If the proper procedures and equipment adjustments are not carried out, the nailed material will warp, bend, deform, or become distorted. In particular, plate-shaped objects will become curved and will not return to their original shape. This also requires careful work.
And then there's the residue.
Blasting is a processing method that involves spraying. When the material hits the surface, it breaks down into tiny particles that remain on the surface.
If this is a part of an electronic device, the residue will act as dust and have a negative effect. This requires careful attention. If there is residue in the screw holes in particular, the screws will not turn. In the case of a shower plate, the holes will become clogged and gas will not come out.
The difference between bead blasting and sand blasting
Bead blasting, sand blasting, and blasting are often used interchangeably. There is a lot of confusion on the market, with some products clearly intended for decorative purposes being labeled as "sand blasting," and others clearly intended for paint removal being labeled as "bead blasting."
To briefly explain the difference
Bead blasting involves hitting round spherical balls.
Sandblasting involves blasting spiky ceramic particles into the surface.
The top photo is bead blasted and the bottom photo is sand blasted.
The colors are completely different and each has its own unique characteristics.
Characteristics of bead blasting and sand blasting
We will explain the characteristics of general bead blasting and sand blasting.
■Beads Brass Stone
This decorative finish has a beautiful sparkling and cloudy surface, reminiscent of the matte finish of precious metals.
■ Sandblasting
The rough surface does not cause glare or reflection of light, and paints and adhesives adhere firmly to it with an anchor effect.
Sandblasting tends to pick up fingerprints and dirt more easily.
In the case of stainless steel, bead blasting is recommended if you are concerned about rust transfer outdoors. However, if you still want a matte finish, use titanium as the base material. It will not rust. Titanium roofing tiles are actually alumina blasted (sandblasted).
Decorating stainless steel with bead blasting?
Bead blasting on stainless steel is often combined with mirror finishing, creating a beautiful contrast and a gorgeous finish.
This can be achieved by combining it with a mirrored stainless steel finish.
(This is an unbreakable mirror called "Drop" that is no longer in production, but when it was in production in the past it won an award at the Fukuoka Design Awards.)
Finally
We have explained blasting, which is used in many industries and applications. The blasting process varies depending on the application and purpose.
Also, if you are not careful when processing, problems often occur.
When placing an order, please let us know in detail the purpose and conditions so that we can provide the most suitable processing method.
For example, if you want to make shiny matte stainless steel fixtures, please do not buy blasted materials.
The material is processed using #700 abrasives, then welded and finished, and finally blasted.
Otherwise, unevenness in the color of welded or processed parts will appear, ruining the beautiful fixtures. We can process entire kitchens, flush doors, and store fixtures. Please feel free to contact us.
Finally, for those who say, "But it's dirty..."
Apply [Macoat_GC] after the final blasting.
It will protect the surface well. Please consider this as well.
[Beautiful design forever]
We sell a coating liquid that anyone can use to easily and conveniently prevent fingerprints. The anti-fingerprint coating liquid "MaCoatGC" can be used to prevent fingerprints by simply applying the liquid to metal. Coated metal is almost invisible to the naked eye. Liquid coating can be easily applied to any metal surface, regardless of its location or shape, so it is increasingly being used in a variety of places, such as elevator frames, interior partitions, and artwork. For purchases, please contact us directly.Contact.
