Shot Blasting

Shot blasting is a surface preparation process that involves the use of small metallic or abrasive particles propelled at high speeds to clean or etch a surface. The process is commonly used to remove rust, paint, scale, and other surface contaminants, as well as to prepare a surface for further treatment, such as painting or coating.

It can be performed using various types of equipment, such as a blasting cabinet, a portable blasting machine, or a walk-behind shot blaster. The equipment uses compressed air or a centrifugal wheel to propel the abrasive particles at high speeds, which impact the surface and remove the unwanted material.

The type and size of abrasive particles depend on the specific application and the surface being treated. Common types of abrasives include steel shot, steel grit, aluminum oxide, and glass beads.

Shot blasting is a widely used process in various industries, including automotive, construction, aerospace, and manufacturing, and it is essential for achieving a high-quality surface finish and improving the durability and longevity of the treated surface.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but they may refer to slightly different processes depending on the context. In general, both shot blasting and plate blasting involve the use of abrasive particles propelled at high speeds to clean or prepare a surface.

Shot blasting typically involves the use of small metallic or abrasive particles, while plate blasting often refers to a process that uses larger, flatter abrasive particles, such as steel plates or grit.

Plate blasting is commonly used for the surface preparation of large metal plates, such as those used in shipbuilding, where the plates are too thick to be effectively treated with shot blasting. The process involves propelling the abrasive particles onto the surface of the plate at high speeds to remove surface contaminants and roughen the surface for better adhesion of coatings or other surface treatments.

While there may be some overlap between the processes, plate blasting typically involves the use of larger abrasive particles and is often used for the surface preparation of thicker metal plates, while shot blasting is a more general term that can refer to the use of smaller metallic or abrasive particles for a variety of surface preparation applications.