Sandblasting: An efficient process for improving metal surface performance and aesthetics

In modern industrial production, metal materials are widely used, and their surface performance and aesthetics often directly affect the quality and service life of the product. Sandblasting, as an efficient metal surface treatment process, can significantly improve the performance and aesthetics of the metal surface, and has therefore been widely used in many fields.

The principle of sandblasting

Sand blasting is a process that uses compressed air or high-pressure water as a power source to spray abrasive particles (such as quartz sand, steel shot, glass beads, etc.) onto the metal surface at high speed. The impact and cutting action of the abrasive on the metal surface removes impurities such as oxide scale, rust, oil stains, coatings, etc. on the surface, while creating a certain degree of roughness on the metal surface, thereby improving the performance and appearance of the metal surface.

Process flow of sandblasting

Preparation

• Select abrasive: Select appropriate abrasive according to the type of metal material, surface condition and processing requirements. For example, for softer metal materials, abrasives with lower hardness, such as glass beads, can be selected; for harder metal materials, abrasives with higher hardness, such as steel shots, can be selected.
• Debugging equipment: According to the size and shape of the workpiece, adjust the parameters such as the position of the sandblasting gun, sandblasting pressure and sandblasting angle of the sandblasting machine to ensure the uniformity and consistency of the sandblasting effect.

Sandblasting operation

• Place the workpiece in the working area of the sandblasting machine, start the sandblasting machine, and the abrasive is sprayed at high speed to the surface of the workpiece through the spray gun under the action of compressed air or high-pressure water flow for sandblasting.
• During the sandblasting process, the distance and moving speed between the spray gun and the workpiece surface should be kept relatively stable to avoid affecting the processing effect due to uneven sandblasting.

Cleaning and inspection

• After the sandblasting is completed, the surface of the workpiece needs to be cleaned to remove residual abrasive and dust. Compressed air blowing, brushing or cleaning with cleaning fluid can be used.
• Carry out quality inspection on the cleaned workpiece to check whether the surface meets the expected cleanliness and roughness requirements. If there are any unqualified parts, rework should be carried out in time.

Improvement of metal surface performance by sandblasting

Improve coating adhesion

Sandblasting can completely remove impurities such as oil and scale on the metal surface, expose the fresh metal matrix on the metal surface, and form a certain roughness on the surface. This roughness increases the contact area between the coating and the metal surface, thereby improving the adhesion between the coating and the metal matrix and extending the service life of the coating.

Enhance the fatigue resistance of the metal

After sandblasting, a certain residual compressive stress will be generated on the metal surface, which can offset part of the working stress, thereby improving the fatigue resistance of the metal. In addition, sandblasting can also form a uniform micro-roughness on the metal surface, which is conducive to the storage of lubricating oil, improve lubrication conditions, reduce friction and wear, and further improve the fatigue resistance of the metal.

Improve the corrosion resistance of the metal

Sandblasting can remove corrosion products such as scale and rust on the metal surface, so that a uniform and dense oxide film is formed on the metal surface, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the metal. In addition, the roughness formed after sandblasting is also conducive to the adhesion of the anti-corrosion coating, further enhancing the corrosion resistance of the metal.

Sandblasting improves the aesthetics of metal surfaces

Improving the glossiness of metal surfaces

Sandblasting can remove tiny burrs and scratches on the metal surface, making the metal surface smoother and flatter, thereby improving the glossiness of the metal surface and making it more beautiful. For example, in metal furniture manufacturing, after sandblasting the metal surface, its glossiness can be increased by 20% - 40%, making the furniture surface brighter and more beautiful.

Forming a unique texture effect

By selecting different abrasives and sandblasting parameters, various texture effects can be formed, such as silk texture, frosted texture, granular texture, etc., adding a unique sense of beauty and art to the metal surface. For example, in architectural decoration, sandblasting the metal curtain wall to form different texture effects can make the building appearance more unique and full of personality.

Removing welding marks and surface defects

During the metal processing process, surface defects such as welding marks, oxide scale, and color spots are often left. These defects not only affect the aesthetics of the metal surface, but may also become the starting point of corrosion and fatigue. Sandblasting can effectively remove these surface defects, restore the metal surface to a uniform and consistent metallic color, and achieve the purpose of beautification and decoration. For example, in steel structure buildings, sandblasting the welding parts can effectively remove welding marks and oxide scale, making the steel structure surface more beautiful and neat.

Application fields of sandblasting

Aerospace

In the aerospace field, sandblasting is widely used for the surface treatment of aircraft parts, such as engine blades, fuselage structural parts, etc. Sandblasting can improve the surface performance and aesthetics of parts, enhance their fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance, and ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft. For example, the engine blades of Boeing 787 aircraft use sandblasting technology, which improves its fatigue resistance by 80% and effectively extends the service life of the blades.

Automobile manufacturing

In the automobile manufacturing field, sandblasting is used for the surface treatment of automobile bodies, engine parts, chassis parts, etc. Sandblasting can improve the surface performance and aesthetics of automobile parts, enhance their wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and extend the service life of automobiles. For example, the body of BMW cars was sandblasted before painting, which increased the adhesion of the coating by 40% and effectively prevented the peeling and flaking of the body paint.

Shipbuilding

In the shipbuilding field, sandblasting is widely used for the pretreatment of the hull surface. Through sandblasting, rust, oil and other impurities on the surface of the hull can be completely removed, providing an ideal base surface for subsequent anti-corrosion coatings, extending the service life of the hull and improving the safety performance of the ship. For example, during the construction of a 100,000-ton oil tanker, the hull surface was sandblasted, which increased its corrosion resistance by 5 times and effectively extended the service life of the hull.

Building decoration field

In the field of building decoration, sandblasting is used for the surface treatment of building metal components, such as curtain walls, railings, doors and windows. Through sandblasting, the surface performance and aesthetics of building metal components can be improved, their corrosion resistance and weather resistance can be enhanced, and they can remain beautiful and stable for a long time in outdoor environments. For example, the metal curtain wall of the Shanghai Tower uses sandblasting technology, which gives its surface a unique texture effect and high gloss, becoming a highlight of the building.

Sandblasting, as an efficient and reliable metal surface treatment process, has significant advantages in improving the performance and aesthetics of metal surfaces. It can completely remove impurities on the metal surface, improve coating adhesion, enhance the fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance of the metal, and at the same time improve the glossiness of the metal surface, form a unique texture effect, remove welding marks and surface defects, and add a unique sense of beauty and art to the metal surface.

Sandblasting has been widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, architectural decoration and other fields, and has played an important role in improving product quality and service life. With the continuous advancement of science and technology and the continuous innovation of technology, sandblasting technology will continue to develop and improve, bringing more possibilities and opportunities to the field of metal surface treatment.