Vapour Blasting

Vapor blasting is a type of abrasive blasting that combines water with an abrasive material like glass beads, aluminum oxide, or crushed glass to prepare and clean surfaces.

WHAT IS VAPOR BLASTING

Different techniques are possible for preparing and cleaning different types of surfaces. One of the techniques most commonly used for this is abrasive blasting. Vapor blasting is similar to other abrasive blasting methods, but has one important difference: while abrasive blasting uses abrasive media in combination with air (e.g. sandblasting), water is added in the case of vapor blasting. Because of the relatively low force involved, vapor blasting is mainly used to remove light pollution from, for example, facades and walls, but water blasting can in most cases also be used to remove rust, mill scale, copper slag, coatings and other dirt.

HOW DOES A VAPOR BLASTING MACHINE WORK?

Two elements are required to use a vapor blasting machine: water and an abrasive. In most cases, sand is added to the water, but nowadays there are also special abrasives that can be used in this process. The water and the abrasive are mixed inside the blast machine and the mixture is then applied to the surface. The pressure of the machine can be adjusted, but will at all times be much lower than with other blasting methods. Because of the low pressure used, there is no powerful jet directly on the surface, but the abrasive material gradually slides over the surface. This makes vapor blasting especially suitable for preparing more vulnerable surfaces and for removing light pollution.

VAPOR BLASTING VS. DRY BLASTING

Vapor blasting and the dry variants of abrasive blasting can be compared in many ways. The main difference lies in the fact that with vapor blasting, water is added to the abrasive. The water has, as it were, an attenuating effect on the abrasive and therefore a much less aggressive effect on the surface than dry blasting. With coarser pollution, dry blasting is often preferred over vapor blasting. For more delicate materials, however, vapor blasting is an excellent alternative to sandblasting . Another major advantage of vapor blasting over dry blasting is the minimal amount of dust that is released during preparation of the surface. With dry blasting, the abrasive hits the surface harder, breaking up the material into small pieces and can create a lot of dust. Due to the low force plus the fact that water is added, the amount of dust is kept to a minimum with vapor blasting.

ADVANTAGES OF VAPOR BLASTING

Vapor blasting creates a powerful combination of steam and abrasive material to clean, erase, and smooth any surface it comes in contact with. It produces less dust and therefore provides a much cleaner working environment. Vapor blasting is less risky to use and also reduces the amount of energy needed to operate the machine

APPLICATIONS

Components frequently using this process but not limited to include:

• Engine blocks and cylinder heads
• Gearbox cases
• Sumps and covers
• Suspension and chassis components

MATERIALS

Materials ideal for this process include:

• Aluminium
• Titanium
• Copper
• Brass
• Magnesium
• Bronze
• Stainless steel
• Plastics

FLEXIBILITY

We also use this process for our clients within the engineering and manufacturing industries. Whether it be for surface finishing for used material with a previous long work load to new machined material wanting to eliminate small signs of machining. Along side this we can use other types of media to get the desired finish you want.