The Differences Between Wet And Dry Abrasive Blasting

Sandblasting is a common finishing technique that shoots a steady stream of abrasive material at the parts in need of cleaning to remove dirt, paint, and anomalies from them. While this process originally used only sand, it has evolved into using numerous different kinds of abrasive materials. No matter the kind of material used, there are two main types of abrasive blasting depending on a specific attribute of the blasting. These two types are wet and dry blasting and both have advantages to them that might make them better suited for certain industrial processes.

Wet blasting is a commonly used form of abrasive blasting and is defined by its usage of water to carry the blasting media to the parts being finished. Like a high-powered fire hose, wet blasting infuses the water with the blasting media to create not only a forceful clean, but one in which the media can easily pass over the finished parts. This process is ideal for stripping away paint and other materials that cling to parts.  It is also good for deburring and surface treatment.

Dry blasting, in contrast, uses no water, but instead highly-pressurized air to empower the blasting media. The same kinds of blasting media are used, however the lack of water makes a major difference for certain operations. For example, dry blasting is ideal to finish metal parts and remove rust from them more efficiently. Dry blasting is also useful for parts that should not get wet, such as certain kinds of electronic parts or those more susceptible to rust and water stains. Dry blasting is, however, considered to be more dangerous than wet blasting, so certain precautions must be taken in the workplace to ensure that no harm is done to operators or those nearby.

Whether your industrial facility employs wet or dry blasting, efficiency and safety should always be primary concerns. At Mikro Industrial Finishing, we specialize in providing finishing machines, including those that use abrasive blasting methods. We are also able to complete jobs ourselves for you, so that you don’t need to invest in heavy equipment for only a series of small jobs. For more information about our abrasive blasting equipment and the Mikro Job Shop, please call us any time at (860) 875-6357.