What is mechanical cleaning?
Mechanical cleaning is a method of removing dirt, rust, old coatings and other unwanted materials from the surface of various objects by using abrasive materials. The most commonly used techniques are sandblasting and shotblasting.
Sandblasting
Sandblasting is a method in which abrasive material (usually sand) is shot at high velocity towards the surface of an object using a jet of compressed air. The aim is to remove dirt and rust, as well as to prepare the surface for subsequent treatments such as painting or coating.
The process involves several key stages:
- Preparation: select the appropriate type and size of abrasive material depending on the nature of the contamination and the type of surface.
- Equipment: a sandblasting machine is used, which includes an air compressor, a tank for the abrasive and a jet gun.
- Performance: the abrasive jet is directed at the surface at high speed, resulting in the mechanical removal of dirt.
- Cleaning: after processing, the surface is cleaned, using special detergents according to the type of material, from fine dust and chips.
Benefits and advantages of the process:
- Effectively removes rust, old paint and other dirt.
- Prepares the surface for better adhesion of new coatings.
- It can be used on various materials such as metal, concrete and wood.
Annex
- Preparation of metal surfaces for painting or coating.
- Cleaning of building structures.
- Restoration of old machinery and equipment.
Shotblasting
Shot blasting is a method that uses metal particles (pellets or metal balls) as an abrasive material that are shot to the surface at high speed. This method is suitable for heavier and larger soils and provides a coarser texture to the treated surface.
The process involves several key stages:
- Preparation: selection of the appropriate size and type of pellets depending on the degree of cleaning required and the type of surface.
- Equipment: the shot blasting machine includes a shot blasting device, a tank for the abrasive material and a recycling system for the used shot.
- Performance: The crumbs are shot to the surface, removing dirt by mechanical impact.
- Cleaning: removed dirt and chips are collected and the surface is cleaned.
Benefits and advantages of the process:
- A very effective method of removing heavy dirt and rust.
- Provides a coarse texture suitable for high adhesion coatings.
- Less dusting compared to sandblasting.
Annex
- Cleaning and preparation of heavy machinery and equipment.
- Processing of large metal structures and containers.
- Surface preparation for application of special industrial coatings.
Comparison between sandblasting and shotblasting
- Materials: sandblasting uses sand or other abrasive materials, while shotblasting uses metal particles.
- Applications: Sandblasting is suitable for lighter soils and various surface preparation, while shot blasting is more effective for heavy soils and large metal structures.
- Finish: Sandblasting provides a smoother texture, while shotblasting provides a rougher texture that is more suitable for heavy industrial coatings.
Both methods are extremely effective for mechanical cleaning and surface preparation, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs of the project and the type of soiling.
