What is sandblasting?

Sandblasting is the surface preparation process in which silica sand is propelled at high velocity against a metal surface using compressed air nozzles. It was the industry standard method for decades for removing rust, old paint and other contaminants prior to coating application.

However, the use of silica sand is prohibited or severely restricted in most countries due to the health risks it poses to operators. Free silica causes silicosis, a severe and irreversible lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust. This restriction is why the term "sandblasting" is still used colloquially, but the actual process no longer uses silica sand.

Today, the equivalent process is carried out with metallic shot (carbon or stainless steel) in enclosed machines with abrasive recovery and dust collection systems. This method — shot blasting — is more economical, cleaner, safer for the operator and produces higher quality and more uniform results than sand blasting.

When compressed air blasting is required on site or in spaces where an automatic blast machine cannot be installed, portable equipment is used with mineral abrasives such as aluminum oxide or copper slag — never silica sand. The surface result is equivalent to traditional sandblasting, meeting the same surface preparation standards (ISO 8501, SSPC).