Types of Sandblasting
- Sandblasting is a process of smoothing, shaping, and cleaning a hard surface using solid particles propelled at high speeds.
- Artificial sandblasting was patented by Benjamin Chew Tilghman in 1870.
- Thomas Wesley Pangborn improved the process by adding compressed air in 1904.
- Sandblasting equipment consists of a chamber where sand and air are mixed.
- Nozzles made of materials like boron carbide are commonly used in sandblasting.

Wet Abrasive Blasting
- Wet abrasive blasting uses water as the fluid to move the abrasives.
- Advantages of wet abrasive blasting include trapping dust, lubricating the surface, and reducing removal of sound material.
- Norman Ashworth pioneered the wet abrasive process as an alternative to dry blasting.
- Wet blasting can use various media densities, including plastic and steel.
- It is safer to use siliceous materials or remove hazardous substances like asbestos.

Vapor Blasting
- Vapor blasting is a milder form of wet blasting where pressurized air is added to water in the nozzle.
- This process allows for cleaning mating surfaces while retaining their ability to mate.
- Vapor blasting is even gentler than wet blasting.
- It can be used on delicate surfaces without causing damage.
- The process is commonly used for cleaning and surface preparation.

Bead Blasting
- Bead blasting is a process of removing surface deposits using fine glass beads at high pressure.
- It is preferred over sand blasting for auto body work as it creates a more uniform surface finish.
- Bead blasting is used to clean pool tiles, remove embedded fungus, and brighten grout color.
- It is also used in creating a uniform surface finish on machined parts.
- Bead blasting is effective for cleaning mineral specimens with a Mohs hardness of 7 or less.

Wheel Blasting
- Wheel blasting is an airless blasting operation that uses a spinning wheel to propel the abrasive against an object.
- It is a high-power and high-efficiency blasting method.
- Recyclable abrasives like steel or stainless-steel shot are commonly used.
- Specialized wheel blast machines are used for deflashing plastic and rubber components.
- Wheelabrator patented the first blast wheel in 1932.

Sandblasting (Wikipedia)

"Sandblasted", "Sandblast", and "Media blaster" redirect here. For the Swervedriver EP, see Sandblasted (EP). For the underwater circumnavigation, see Operation Sandblast. For the entertainment company, see Media Blasters.

Sandblasting, sometimes known as abrasive blasting, is the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material against a surface under high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface or remove surface contaminants. A pressurised fluid, typically compressed air, or a centrifugal wheel is used to propel the blasting material (often called the media). The first abrasive blasting process was patented by Benjamin Chew Tilghman on 18 October 1870.

There are several variants of the process, using various media; some are highly abrasive, whereas others are milder. The most abrasive are shot blasting (with metal shot) and sandblasting (with sand). Moderately abrasive variants include glass bead blasting (with glass beads) and plastic media blasting (PMB) with ground-up plastic stock or walnut shells and corncobs. Some of these substances can cause anaphylactic shock to individuals allergic to the media. A mild version is sodablasting (with baking soda). In addition, there are alternatives that are barely abrasive or nonabrasive, such as ice blasting and dry-ice blasting.