We've all had aching wrists from sanding the banister or an old arm chair in need of repair. Similar in effect but much quicker than this is the use of sandblasting cleaning equipment as a method of producing an impressively smooth finish. Although sandblasting your grandma's old arm chair might be considered overkill - sand blasting is a technique usually applied to much larger buildings - for instance the Houses of Parliament.
Much like the use of sandpaper, sandblasting cleaning equipment has a similarly abrasive effect, instead of using elbow grease, it throws particles at high speed against a surface, thereby taking off the upper layer of dirt or grime. Cleaning a structure such as the seat of the UK government with sandpaper would be unthinkable, but sandblasting produces a quick and even result, even in those hard to reach nooks and crannies. As well as cleaning a surface, it can also mould or shape it too.
Sandblasting can occur naturally without any high tech cleaning equipment; simply by winds throwing sand or dirt against a surface at high speeds, thereby wearing that surface down over time. But humans have managed to replicate this effect to their own ends. Benjamin Chew Tilghman patented the first sandblasting cleaning equipment in 1870, using compressed air.
The actual structure of sandblasting cleaning equipment consists of a chamber in which air and sand are combined. This mixture is then directed through a hand held nozzle, blasting against the surface in question. As this process is highly abrasive, a suitable material for the nozzle needs to be used, with boron carbide proving a popular choice, as it resists such forces.
It's not only sand that can be used by such cleaning equipment; glass beads, metal pellets, dry ice, steel shots, copper slag and even coconut shells and baking soda have all been used. Each abrasive material produces a distinct effect - this is useful when dealing with surfaces which might range from delicate to course.
Silica is the most abrasive of media used in sandblasting, but can cause hazards to the user - namely Silicosis, a debilitating lung disease. For this reason, it is sometimes coated with resin to reduce the dust from the breaking sand. Safety equipment employed by users include a positive pressure blast helmet or hood - with protective screen (often replaceable), and grade D air supply. These, along with ear and body protection reduce the risks associated with this cleaning equipment.
Coal or smelting slag is an alternative, which has a lower silica content and does not cause Silicosis - but has been reported to release other harmful elements into the air. Organic materials such as ground nut shells or baking soda provide a much gentler media - ideal for removing graffiti from buildings without damaging the underlying surface.
Sandblasting - or abrasive blasting cleaning equipment provides and extremely versatile way to clean all kinds of surfaces from spray painted marble sculptures to large iconic structures such as the Houses of Parliament. Many of us will remember the dramatic effect of this technique on the Houses of Parliament, which was transformed from a slightly grotty sooty beige effect into the clean, sandy coloured building we have now.
Author Resource:-
Anna Stenning is an expert on surfacecleaning equipment having been involved in building restoration.
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