Abrasive Blasting
Vapor abrasive blasting (also known as wet abrasive blasting) removes coatings, contaminants, corrosion and residues from hard surfaces. It's similar to dry blasting, except that the blast media is moistened prior to impacting the surface, reducing dust significantly and also reducing the amount of water used when compared to traditional wet blasting.
How Does Wet Abrasive Blasting Work?
Water and abrasive are combined in a pot under water pressure and then precisely metered into the airflow. When wet abrasive impacts a surface, the additional water weighs the particles down and creates a “dustless” effect.
Since EcoQuip 2 uses less water than slurry or other water-based technologies, pools of water aren't left behind so there is less need to worry about toxic runoff.
Understanding "Dust-free" or "Dustless" Blasting
True Dustless Blasting is Impossible
Some might claim that their products are "dustless" or "dust-free," but the reality is there is no such thing.
Sure, using a wet abrasive blasting machine will cut down on the plume of dust you get from dry blasting, but you're also left with a puddle of water. Make sure you understand the facts around dustless blasting.
With Graco's EcoQuip 2 Vapor Abrasive blast equipment, you will see up to 92% dust suppression over dry blasting without the wet, slurry mess you get from traditional wet abrasive blasters.
Video: Comparing Blasting Technologies
Abrasive Blasting Articles
Surface Prep Standards Explained - SSPC/NACE & ISO 8501
Understanding the ISO 8501 and SSPC/NACE blast cleaning surface prep standards.
True Dustless Blasting is a Myth
Know the facts: there is no such thing as dustless or dust-free blasting in surface prep
Concrete Surface Prep Part 3: Grades of Roughness
How much surface profile is sufficient for various types of concrete coatings and overlays?
Concrete Surface Prep Part 1: Unsound Concrete
How does the blaster know when he’s achieved the specified surface profile on concrete?
Blast Cleaning for Municipalities
Public works departments are utilizing wet blasting / vapor abrasive blasting to clean graffiti, restore weathered monuments, and even remove tough lane markings
Detecting & Identifying Defects in Steel During Surface Preparation
Finding and reporting defects is not only important, but is a good way to distinguish yourself from the competition
Abrasive Blasting and the Future of Shipyard Surface Prep
Fairhaven Shipyard, the 800-foot pier owned and operated by Puglia Engineering, Inc. faces many surface preparation and cleaning challenges.
EcoQuip Successfully Tested in Hazardous Locations
Norway-based Gexcon AS performed various tests to determine whether the EcoQuip equipment blasting process would create a potential ignition in explosive atmospheres
Abrasive Blasting with ARMEX Soda
Soda blasting has been successfully used for a variety of abrasive blasting applications since the 1980's
