Many abrasive blast cleaning methods can be used to clean metal surfaces, each with their own pros and cons. In this post, we take a closer look at one of these processes – bead blasting – in more depth, so you can assess whether or not it meets your needs.
Bead blasting has similarities to both shot blasting and grit blasting, while being distinct from them both. Like grit blasting, bead blasting involves directing a stream of material at a surface in order to abrade it, usually by way of a 'blast' of compressed air.
However, bead blasting is also similar to shot blasting in that it uses round beads, or small shot, instead of the angular abrasive particles used in grit blasting.
This allows bead blasting to achieve some of the same outcomes as shot blasting, without needing the same heavy infrastructure. (Shot blasting uses heavy steel shot and a wheel mechanism to project at the surface – hence the alternative name wheel blasting.) Bead blasting only requires a small blast room or blast cabinet, opening up the possibility of blast cleaning on site through mobile blasting equipment.
Bead blasting has several applications, depending on the type of bead used:
Both glass and plastic beads can normally be recovered for reuse, when blasting takes place in a blast room or cabinet.
While bead blasting is a safe and practical way of cleaning many surfaces, whether it's the most suitable method for you depends on your specific needs. Neither glass nor plastic are as abrasive as steel shot or steel grit, so if you need to clean heavily contaminated surfaces, or want to strip away extensive rust or mill scale, you should use a different method.
To discuss whether bead blasting is the most appropriate cleaning method for your needs, get in touch today. We offer a range of professional abrasive blast cleaning solutions and, if you contact us, we can provide you with information and advice about the different processes you can use.
Image source: Wikimedia
For more information glass bead blasting stainless steel, please get in touch with us!
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