What is Sponge Blasting and How Does it Work?

In this article, you’ll learn about Sponge Media, its benefits, and its abrasives. You’ll discover the process of sponge blasting. After reading the information, you can make an informed decision. The process is outlined below.

Sponge Media

In many fields, sponge blasting service removes graffiti, rust, or other undesirable elements from surfaces. This environmentally friendly process produces less waste than other blasting media. Additionally, it can be used on historic buildings. 

Sponge media is made from polyurethane and comes in various grades. Some abrasives are non-abrasive, while others produce a deep profile finish. You can choose the suitable grade by looking at the surface’s contaminants and finish. In addition, sponge blasting is recyclable and reduces waste disposal costs.

Abrasives

While many blasting methods employ abrasives, Sponge Blasting is the most environmentally friendly. The media is poured into a blast pot and mechanically stirred, exposing the abrasive in the cells. The sponge expands as it hits the surface, creating a vacuum that catches dust particles. Its unique flattening action reduces waste and is entirely recyclable. It also allows precise blasting near sensitive equipment or surfaces.

This blasting can remove many materials, from heavily rusted steel to grease and oil from heavy machinery. And because of its non-toxic nature, Sponge Blasting is a good choice for restoring and cleaning historic buildings. But if you’re worried about the safety of abrasives, you can also use them for other projects. You can even make your media using mineral or non-mineral abrasives.

Process

The sponge blasting process consists of a series of steps. The first step is the application of media to the surface. Next, the media is held in a hopper placed at the top of the unit. The foam cleaning media is then fed into a metering chamber that mixes the cleaning media with compressed air. The result is a very effective cleaning method that eliminates grit and offers a significantly softer blast than traditional abrasive blasting methods. The process can also remove various coatings, from soot in wallpaper to high-performance protective coatings on steel and concrete.

After preparing the material, the blasting machine will apply shearing force to the sponge to loosen it. Once this is done, the sponge is ready for application. It is also important to note that the nozzle will receive the blasting medium continuously so that it can be used again. If the material is not ready for reuse, a new batch must be prepared. This is why sponge blasting is an essential step in any concrete repair job.

Benefits

The environmental benefits of sponge blasting are significant. Compared to traditional grit blasting, the process uses low-dust media, significantly reducing dust and the likelihood of environmental impacts. In addition, the process requires minimal clean-up, and no water or runoff is generated. Because sponges have superficial velocity, they are easily removed from structures. In addition, they are highly effective at cleaning surfaces. Whether you need to clean a surface of an industrial building, a large variety of media can be used.

Moreover, sponge blasting uses low-cost, environmentally friendly, and healthy media. This media type is a good choice for surface cleaning because it allows you to blast sensitive assets without affecting the environment. It is highly effective in mold and nuclear remediation and suitable for blasting sensitive assets. 

Application

There are many types of sponge blasting apparatus. Once you purchase a sponge blasting apparatus, it’s time to decide on an appropriate device. As you’ll see, the method used is fairly straightforward, and we’ll cover the various types of equipment and what they can do.

The application of sponge blasting is particularly effective at reducing dust. Because the process involves using safe synthetic sponge media, micro-abrasives are embedded into the media. Moreover, it is low-pressure and dust-free, which makes it a safe option for blasting near sensitive machinery. Another advantage of sponge blasting is its ability to provide industry-leading surface cleanliness. Moreover, it can be a highly efficient way to clean a wide range of surfaces.