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At BG Penny we provide a wide range of abrasive blast cleaning and large area shotblasting services. Automated and manual blast cleaning facilities are available for large and small items. Blast cleaning can be offered as a stand alone service or as a preliminary to spray painting, metal spraying or powder coating. Our blast cleaning facilities include: Automated Machines, Large Manual Rooms (20ft tall x 20ft wide x 40ft long), and Hand Cabinets. A full range of ferrous and non-ferrous blast media are utilised in our blast cleaning operations. As well as shotblasting with steel balls, typical blast materials include, chilled iron, steel grit, stainless steel grit, aluminium oxide, garnet, glass beads and plastic abrasives. All our blast cleaning operations are carried out on site in accordance with the latest industry standards and best practices. Our excellent customer service, fast turnaround times, quality workmanship and competitive rates are guaranteed to meet your most stringent requirements. Contact us today for further details of our services and for a no obligations quote. Read on for more information about shotblasting and abrasive blast cleaning processes, materials and applications. SHOTBLASTING: While many people regard any blast cleaning process as shotblasting, strictly speaking shotblasting refers to blasting with small steel balls or pellets, as distinct from other types of blast cleaning materials. ABRASIVE BLAST CLEANING: Abrasive blast cleaning is the general term given to a range of blast cleaning processes designed to remove old paint and coatings, debris, oil, grime, rust and other contaminants from a variety of metal surfaces and components. Blast cleaning is conducted by propelling abrasive materials at high speed through a jet nozzle using pressurised air onto the surface of the component, leaving it clean, dry, profiled and ready for applying new coatings. Blast cleaning can be carried out manually, or by using automated blast cabinets and the pressure can be varied to suit the type of metal or treatment required. Specialised materials or ‘blast media’ in a variety of sizes or grades are used for treating different types of metals, surfaces and components, depending on the finish required. At BGP we use a range of ferrous and non-ferrous blast media in our blast cleaning operations. See the list below for a description of some of the most commonly used materials in the blast cleaning process. CHILLED IRON: Chilled iron grit is an angular abrasive material suitable for general blast cleaning applications such as the removal of paint and oxides from carbon steels and ferrous castings. Blasting with chilled iron is a fairly aggressive cleaning process which makes it unsuitable for use with softer metals such as aluminium. It should not be used on machinery that is exposed to moisture, or items which are prone to corrosion such as engine parts or stainless steel. Applications: Chilled iron grit is ideal for the removal of paint and
contaminants from carbon steels and ferrous castings. It is commonly used for de-rusting, deburring, roughening and surface preparation prior to coating or painting.
STEEL BALL:
Steel ball shotblasting is one of the most widely used methods for cleaning and stripping metal surfaces and components. The process involves firing small steel balls (1-6mm
diameter) at high speed against the surface of the metal or component. The finish is determined by the size of the steel shot. Larger shot has a more aggressive cleaning action
and produces a rougher finish. Smaller steel shot creates a smoother, more polished surface. Applications: Larger steel shot is ideal for removing rust, scale
and other contaminants from heavy steel, malleable iron and grey iron castings. Smaller steel shot is suitable for cleaning small to medium sized ferrous and non-ferrous
castings and machined parts. STEEL GRIT:
Steel grit blasting is used for aggressive cleaning projects such as stripping contaminants from steel and other industrial metals. The cleaning action of steel grit produces
an etched surface providing excellent adhesive properties for a variety of paints and coatings. Applications: Steel grit blasting is suitable for steel and foundry
metals and is also used for aircraft and aero-space components. ALUMINIUM OXIDE:
Aluminium oxide is a sharp, abrasive blasting material used in sand blast finishing. It is harder than most common dry abrasive blast media and will cut even the hardest
metals and surfaces.
Applications: Aluminium oxide is ideal for removing rust from
cast iron parts like manifolds and water pumps. GARNET:
Garnet is a hard, heavy abrasive used to prepare surfaces on non-ferrous metals. It is an inert natural mineral which cuts faster than many other blast abrasives while
producing lower dust emissions. The deep cleaning action of garnet ensures the removal of rust, debris and other contaminants, producing a clean substrate and a
uniform surface profile. Applications: Garnet abrasives are suitable for the treatment
of stainless steel, aluminium and other non-ferrous metals. GLASS BEAD:
Glass bead or dry bead blasting uses spherical beads for cleaning metal parts without damaging the surface. This media offers a gentle cleaning process creating a
softer, more cosmetic finish than angular abrasives. Glass bead abrasives provide a silica-free option for blast cleaning, peening, honing, descaling and light deburring. Applications: Glass bead cleaning is suitable for soft metals
such as aluminum and brass. Ideal for pistons, engine blocks and light rust removal. A good choice for the restoration of car parts, motorcycles and other components
where a gentle cleaning action is required. PLASTIC:
Plastic Abrasives such as Urea, Acrylic. Polyester and Melamine deliver a highly effective stripping rate, removing coatings and contaminants without damaging the
base metal. They are ideal for paint stripping, cleaning, deflashing and deburring operations on aluminium and other soft metals. Applications: Plastic abrasives are widely used for restoring
components in the aerospace and automotive industries. |
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