Introduction to the sandblasting tank
The principle of the sandblasting tank (tank-type sandblaster, sandblasting tank) is a pressure-fed type: compressed air is used to create pressure within the sealed tank, forcing the abrasive material into the sand delivery pipe, which then is sprayed at high speed from the sand gun onto the surface of the workpiece. The impact and cutting action of the abrasive material complete the cleaning or processing.
Working principle
Pressurization and feeding: Compressed air enters the sandblasting tank, creating a working pressure within the tank. The abrasive material, under the combined effect of gas pressure and its own gravity, flows through the conical hopper at the bottom of the tank and enters the mixing valve or sand discharge valve.
Mixing and acceleration: The abrasive material and compressed air mix in the sandblasting valve, forming an air-solid mixture, which is then conveyed through the sandblasting pipe to the sand gun.
High-speed jetting: The mixed flow is ejected from the nozzle at high speed, typically reaching speeds of over 100 meters per second. It violently impacts the surface of the workpiece, removing rust layers, oxide scales, old paint, etc., while also giving the surface a certain degree of roughness.
Main application directions
The uses of the sandblasting tank mainly revolve around surface cleaning and surface pre-treatment:
Removing rust and oxide scales: This is the most typical application. It is used for rust removal, slag removal, and old paint removal on large workpieces such as ships, bridge steel structures, oil pipelines, boilers, port machinery, and water conservancy projects, with cleanliness typically reaching Sa2.5 to Sa3.0 levels.
Pre-treatment before coating: Before painting, electroplating, or spraying, sandblasting is performed on the surface of the workpiece to remove dirt and roughen the surface, significantly improving the adhesion of coatings or platings.
Cleaning of castings and molds: Cleaning residual sand and adhered sand on the surface of castings, removing oxide scales from forgings and heat-treated parts; also used for matte treatment or cleaning of mold surfaces, without damaging mold accuracy.
Engraving and decorative processing: Combined with masks, it can be used for engraving on glass and stone tablets, spraying flowers, or creating a textured effect on the surface of glass.
Re-work of defective products: Removing the covering layers (such as old paint, defective coatings) or printed characters on the surface of the product to achieve rework.
In addition, sandblasting tanks are divided into open type (suitable for large outdoor structural components, without material recycling) and environmentally friendly/cabinet type (suitable for indoor or small items, with recyclable abrasive materials). The usage direction will vary depending on the shape of the equipment.