subject: [title]pros And Cons Of Soda Blasting And Sand Blasting [print this page] Each soda blasting and sand blasting are widely utilised in different industries for their speed and precision in smoothing, cleaning, or removing surface finishes. Both consist of blasting a surface with "media" to eliminate paint, dirt, or other undesirable surface contaminants. The list beneath seeks to clarify the differences among the two.
Soda Blasting Pros:
Eco-friendly - The media utilized when soda blasting is bi-carbonate of soda. Despite the fact that it is a bigger particle of soda than that utilized in the food business, it is the exact same purity.
Nontoxic - Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), is a main element in the human body and is not toxic by ingestion, inhalation, or dermal get in touch with. In truth, soda blasting is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the FOOD & Drug Administration (FDA) and is Kosher approved.
Non-abrasive - Bicarbonate of soda is extremely soft, only 2.4 on the Mohs scale of hardness. With soda blasting, the soda crystals explode outward when it comes in get in touch with with any substrate, and removes the surface contaminant with this action, with out damaging the substrate.
Rust inhibitor - The powdery film remaining following soda blasting inhibits 'flash rust' from forming, eliminating the need to have for an immediate application of coating to cover the exposed metal.
Does not generate heat - Soda blasting does not produce any heat on impact, so it will not distort or warp the object being treated.
Water-soluble - Despite the fact that, there is not often any soda to collect after blasting, there may well be a powdery film covering the object that was blasted. A swift rinse will eradicate it.
Does not activate metal - Activated metal needs immediate coating to avoid rusting. Soda blasting does not break down the surface tension since it does not create any heat.
Does not spark - The non-flammable properties of sodium bicarbonate eliminates the threat of electrical sparks, even so, some static electricity is unavoidable when propelling media at high pressure, so it is ideal to correctly ground a metal object prior to soda blasting.
Breaks down hydrocarbons - Soda blasting is an efficient remedy against petroleum and hydrocarbon buildup on engines, encapsulating it. Just after blasting with soda the contaminant is effortlessly rinsed away.
Eliminates odors - Soda is slightly alkaline and neutralizes acid-based odors in water and absorbs odors from the air. It eliminates any odors from fire and is the only blasting media with this property.
De-coats and cleans in one step - Typically a substrate coating is covered with a contaminant which demands to be removed just before getting blasted off, so it is not driven into the surface of the substrate. Soda blasting has the capability to clean off the coating prior to removing it.
Minimal clean-up - As the soda particles explode upon impact, the clean-up only contains the contaminant(s) removed.
Sand Blasting Pros:
Ability to profile a surface - From time to time in the manufacture of a metal object, the surface demands to be profiled so the finished coating will adhere. Sand blasting creates this surface profile.
Aggressive abrasion action- will allow for fast removal of surface contaminants.
Soda Blasting Cons:
Alkaline properties will harm plants - Soda is slightly alkaline and will harm nearby plants and vegetation if any dust is not rinsed off effectively just after a remedy.
May well collect in crevices - Special care wants to be taken to rinse out corners and crevices of items treated just before applying finish.
Requires tenting for dust control - In some circumstances when it is not suitable, or practical, to consist of water when soda blasting.
Will not develop a surface profile - Sometimes in the manufacture of a metal object, the surface desires to be profiled so the finished coating will adhere. Soda blasting does not make a surface profile since of its nonabrasive hardness (2.4 on the Mohs scale).
Restricted storage time - Added precaution requirements to be taken when storing the soda blasting media since it readily absorbs moisture and clumps together. When this occurs it will not flow by way of the blasting pot and cannot be applied.
Sand Blasting Cons:
Abrasive - Sand blasting removes surface contaminants by wearing it away. The substrate is effortlessly damaged if sufficient care is not made use of.
Consists of Silica - Sand contains silica. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has determined continued exposure to silica is a severe health hazard, leading to the often fatal lung illness, silicosis.
Generates heat and sparks - The action of propelling the highly abrasive sand particles against a substrate generates heat, sparking, and static electricity, requiring additional safety precautions to be taken.
Activates metal - Heat generated by sand blasting activates iron, and iron compounds, causing immediate oxidation
