Full definition
A surface preparation method that propels abrasive particles (grit) at high velocity against a surface to clean it, remove old coatings, create surface profile for adhesion, and uniformly roughen the surface for subsequent coating, lining, or bonding. Despite the name "sandblasting," actual sand (silica) is increasingly restricted due to silicosis risk — common abrasive media include: steel grit/shot (recyclable, aggressive, standard for structural steel), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃, aggressive, minimal embedment), garnet (moderate, low dust), and glass bead (mild, for cleaning without heavy profiling). Surface preparation standards per SSPC/NACE: SSPC-SP5 / NACE 1 / ISO Sa 3 (white metal — all visible contaminants removed), SSPC-SP10 / NACE 2 / ISO Sa 2.5 (near-white — 95% clean, the most commonly specified for rubber lining and industrial coating), and SSPC-SP6 / NACE 3 / ISO Sa 2 (commercial blast — 67% clean). Profile: 50-100 μm anchor pattern typical for rubber lining adhesion. Equipment: compressed air blast (standard), centrifugal wheel blast (automated, for pipe and structural), and wet blasting (dust-free, for confined spaces). Per SSPC, NACE, and ISO 8501 visual standards. Critical for rubber-to-metal bonding: surfaces must be primed within 4 hours of blasting to prevent re-oxidation.