Bead blasting is a process using a stream of compressed air similar to sandblasting, but in the case of bead blasting, smaller glass beads are typically used as the abrasive material instead of sand. Glass beads are more uniform and create fewer irregularities on the surface, which is particularly important when treating surfaces that are to be painted or varnished. Bead blasting is often used to remove rust, paint or other contaminants from metal surfaces, as well as to prepare surfaces before painting or varnishing. In the bead blasting process, glass beads are sprayed under pressure onto the surface to be cleaned or prepared. As a result of this process, the surface is cleaned of contaminants and becomes matte, which increases the adhesion of paint or varnish. The bead blasting process can be applied to various materials, including metal, wood, concrete, and plastics. There are various types of bead blasting equipment, including handheld devices and industrial machines that allow for automatic bead blasting of large surfaces. In this process, it is important to use the appropriate pressure and select the right glass beads, depending on the type of surface to be bead blasted. What is bead blasting with abrasive material? What about sandblasting? Which process is better in the metal industry? We discuss this below!
Stages of the glassmaking process: from design to final product
The process of shot peening is one of the machining methods, which involves the use of an abrasive stream for surface treatment of the material. The stages of the process may vary slightly depending on specific applications and tools, but generally, they can be divided into the following steps. Before starting shot peening, the surface of the material to be treated must be properly prepared. It is necessary to remove any dirt, grease stains, scratches, and dents. Then we should choose the appropriate abrasive to achieve the desired machining effect. The appropriate size of the abrasive grains and its hardness should be selected. It is important to properly select the machining parameters, such as the pressure of the abrasive stream, the speed of tool movement, the angle of the stream setting, etc. Then we proceed to the shot peening process, which involves directing the abrasive stream towards the surface of the material being treated. This stream removes material and shapes the surface according to the assumptions. After finishing shot peening, the surface of the material being treated should be thoroughly cleaned of abrasive residues and dust. In the next step of the treatment, the quality of the obtained surface should be thoroughly examined to ensure that it meets our requirements. If necessary, the machining parameters should be adjusted to achieve the desired effect.
Materials used in the vitrification process
- Glass - this is one of the most commonly used materials in the vitrification process. Glass has excellent resistance to scratches, abrasion, and corrosion, and is also transparent to many ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, making it ideal for use in optics.
- Oxides - metal oxides, such as silicon dioxide (SiO2) or cerium oxide (CeO2), are also popular materials used in the glassing process. Metal oxides are characterized by very good scratch resistance and also demonstrate high transparency to optical radiation.
- Organic compounds - in the process of vitrification, organic compounds such as polymers are also used to improve surface properties. They are characterized by excellent flexibility and scratch resistance, making them ideal for use in protective coatings.
In the process of vitrification, many other materials can be used, including metal surfaces, ceramics, carbides, and even diamonds. The choice of material depends on the properties that one wants to achieve in the final product, as well as on the technological requirements of the vitrification process.
Main advantages and disadvantages of the vitrification and sandblasting process
Sandblasting is a process of mechanical surface cleaning by removing contaminants using a stream of sand grains or other abrasive materials.
Removing rust, paint, and other contaminants - sandblasting removes all kinds of contaminants from the surface, such as rust, paint, deposits, stone, oil, and grease.
Surface preparation before painting - sandblasting is an effective method of surface preparation before painting, as it removes all impurities, ensuring good paint adhesion.
Improving the appearance of the surface - it removes all surface defects, such as scratches, unevenness, and other damages, which allows for aesthetic improvement.
Corrosion protection - prevents corrosion by removing rust and other contaminants that can accelerate the corrosion process.
Cleaning of metal parts - sandblasting is an effective method of cleaning metal parts before heat treatment or other production processes.
Removal of old coatings - allows for the removal of old coatings and layers of paint, which enables the renewal of the surface and restoration of its original state.
Work safety - sandblasting is safe for workers, as the process takes place in a closed chamber, which minimizes the risk of exposure to dust and other hazardous substances.
Efficacy - is an effective method of surface cleaning that removes even hard-to-remove contaminants.
Multitasking - can be used for cleaning various surfaces, including metal, wood, concrete, and others.
Ecology - sandblasting is an ecological method of surface cleaning, as it does not use any chemicals and minimizes the amount of waste.
Advantages of glass bead blasting for various types of metal surfaces
Stream processing using glass, also known as glass blasting, is a process of mechanical cleaning and finishing surfaces by a stream of glass grains. Its advantages are as follows:
- Surface cleaning - glass blasting effectively removes contaminants from the surface, such as paint, rust, stone, oil, grease, and others.
- Improvement of appearance - thanks to glass sandblasting, a uniform, naturally smooth surface can be achieved, which improves the aesthetics and value of the item.
- Resistance to corrosion - after glass sandblasting, the surface becomes more resistant to corrosion and harmful external factors.
- Improving adhesion - sandblasting with glass can improve the adhesion of surfaces before painting, varnishing, or gluing.
- Removing layers - can remove layers of paint, varnish, plaster, wax, and other materials.
- Surface uniformity - can help to level out irregularities and effectively unify the surface.
- Safety - it is relatively safe as it does not emit harmful substances and does not have a harmful impact on the environment.
- Multitasking - glass sandblasting can be used on various surfaces, such as metal, wood, ceramic, and others.
- Depth Control - sandblasting with glass allows for depth control, which enables achieving the desired texture and effect on the surface.
- Cost - glass sandblasting is relatively cheap compared to other surface treatment methods, and also ensures high quality finishing.
Advantages of metal shot blasting
Shot blasting is a process of mechanical surface cleaning through a stream of shot grains, usually metallic or mineral. Its advantages are as follows:
- Efficacy - shot blasting is an effective method of removing rust, paint, stone, corrosion, grease, and other contaminants from the surface.
- Surface Strengthening - shot peening can also strengthen the surface by smoothing, unifying, removing surface layers, and creating a hardened layer. It ensures the removal of impurities and causes erosive wear.
- Improving Durability- it can enhance the mechanical durability of the surface by removing irregularities, micro-cracks, and other defects.
- Preparation for painting - shot blasting is a good way to prepare a surface for painting, as it ensures good adhesion of the coating.
- Corrosion resistance - shot blasting can also improve the corrosion resistance of a surface by removing corroding materials and contaminants.
- Speed - shot blasting can be a relatively quick method of surface cleaning, allowing for time and labor cost savings.
- Safety - shot blasting can be relatively safe if appropriate procedures and safety rules are followed.
Industrial applications of glass bead blasting
The process of vitrification is widely used in various industries due to its effectiveness and versatility. We have discussed the use of vitrification in different sectors below.
Optics
Lens coating is widely used in the optical industry, where it is applied to improve the optical properties of glass surfaces. By applying layers of appropriate thickness, it is possible to control reflection, transmission, and absorption of light, enabling the production of lenses, mirrors, filters, and other optical elements.
Electronics
Vitrification is also commonly used in the electronics industry, where it is used for the production of semiconductor elements, such as transistors and diodes, as well as for the production of conductive and insulating layers in integrated circuits.
Medicine
It is also used in the production of medical tools, such as endoscopes and tomographic scanners. Glassing can be used to produce implants, such as corrective glasses, dental prostheses, and even brain implants.
Space industry
It is used in the space industry for the production of mirrors, lenses, and other optical elements used in telescopes, space probes, and satellites.
Automotive Industry
Glassing is used in the automotive industry for the production of car lamps, which must be resistant to shocks, corrosion, and atmospheric conditions.
Chemical Industry
It can be used for the production of durable protective coatings that prevent corrosion, erosive wear, and chemical reactions.
Food Industry
Vitrification is used for the production of protective coatings on packaging machines and food products, which prevent corrosion and oxidation. Other applications of vitrification also include the production of mechanical tools, machine tools, clock components, and jewelry.
The Future of Vitrification
Vitrification is a process that plays an important role in many industries and has many potential applications in the future. Let's take a closer look at them.
What is smart vitrification?
Intelligent glass coatings have the ability to change their properties in response to external stimuli, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, or light intensity. Examples of applications include smart windows, which change transparency depending on the intensity of light, and mirrors, which change color depending on the temperature.
How to apply the glassing process at the nanoscale?
It allows for the creation of layers thinner than 100 nanometers, which enables the production of highly precise components. Examples of applications include optical sensors, carbon nanotubes, and electroluminescent displays.
Laser glassing - what is it?
This is a technology that allows for the production of very thin and precise glass coatings using a laser beam. Examples of applications include the production of optical elements, such as lenses and filters, as well as the production of microchips and microsensors.
Glassing on large surfaces
New vitrification technologies allow for coating large surfaces, such as solar panels, car windows, and building elements. This technology has great potential in the construction, transport, and energy industries.
Hybrid Vitrification
Hybrid glass coatings combine the features of various materials, such as glass, metals, and plastics. Such coatings can have a wide range of applications in the automotive, space, and chemical industries.
Glassing in medicine
Vitrification has great potential in medicine, in the production of implants, surgical tools and diagnostic devices, as well as in the production of light therapy devices. These trends, new technologies and potential applications of vitrification promise the development of this technology in the future and the emergence of new and innovative products.
Summary
Bead blasting helps protect the surface of the metal by removing small impurities and causing erosive wear using abrasive material. This process results in a smooth surface and aesthetic appearance on the metal or other material. It is especially recommended for acid-resistant steel and stainless steel. Bead blasting of aluminum can also be performed. Combustion chambers are used for processing through abrasive material, allowing for the removal of small impurities and improvement of the metal structure. Bead blasting is an effective method of protecting surfaces from erosion and erosive wear. Therefore, it is worth taking care of the metal structure by implementing it.