Sandblasting vs Wet Abrasive Blasting
Sandblasting and wet abrasive blasting are different because wet blasting uses water where as sandblasting doesn’t. Wet blasting requires water which is added to the blasting process.
Wet abrasive blasting also known as dustless blasting uses three elements being water, air and abrasive to remove contaminants from surface substrates. Depending on the type of finish you require on the substrate determines the type of blasting media that will need to be used for your specific project.
Wet abrasive blasting also significantly lowers dust emissions due to the element of water being added to the process. By suppressing the ambient dust we are able to cause minimal disruption to those around us.
Abrasive media is encapsulated in water which immediatly falls to the ground. In fact wet blasting eliminates up to 92% of the dust that is caused by the sandblasting process.
Abrasives like Garnet, Crushed and Beaded Glass are non-toxic with no silicosis hazard or risk of contamination from leachable heavy metals or radioactive substances.
Sandblasting or dry blasting does not use water which significantly increase the amount of dust particles that remain suspended in the air. It is also more dangerous than the wet blasting process and usually requires a special license due to the small particles that are produced from the process. Dry blasting or sand blasting also produces a lot more friction on metal surfaces which can cause stretching and warping of metal surfaces.
Even though wet blasting is a better form of blasting, sandblasting does have its place in certain industries. Metal surfaces such as Oil Tankers require sandblasting, however wet blasting can be used on any type of surface substrate and by adding certain additives it is possible to control things such as flash rusting.
