Sand blasting machine

Posts Tagged ‘sandblasting sand’

Sand blasting machine uses fine mineral media aka sandblasting sand, of which there is a great variety. Each type of sandblasting sand has different uses and attributes, some of which are common for shot media and shotblasting machine, but sandblasting sand has numerous uses depending on its attributes. Shot blasting is mostly used for hardening of metal sheets and removing of tough impurities, whereas sandblasting yields many different effects. The most common use of sandblasting sand is to remove contaminants or impurities from sensitive (soft) surfaces, such as bricks, wood and so on. Another common use is to alter soft surfaces, such as to carve signatures, cut or wear a surface out.

The most often used sandblasting sand is silica sand, but it is hazardrous to health due to lung illness or silicosis.  Silica sand particles scatter on impact and remain in air, where they can enter lungs from and eventually cause a serious illness. That is why protective equipment is mandatory for workers operating sand blasting machine with sandblasting sand such as silica cand. The need has arisen for sandblasting sand that does not pose a health hazard.

An alternative sandblasting sand is slightly more expensive but safe garnet dust. There are other alternatives, such as artificial sandblasting sand, ground nuts, variety of mineral sand (with similar properties to garnet) and dry ice, which evaporates on impact and thus doesn’t present any health risk to workers. An alternative solution is enclosed sandblasting cabinet, where sandblasting sand remains trapped in a limited environment and does not circulate in environment. Sandblasting cabinet also recycles sandblasting sand easily, as none of it can escape.

Choose the right sandblasting sand not by the price, but quality and safety. Quality and no-hazard sandblasting sand will take you a long way as well as ensure high-quality products, whereas cheap sandblasting sand can cause premanent damage to both your products and workers.