Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Sponge Blasting Removes Toxic Coatings Safely

By Kerri Stout


Even though lead-based paint has not been used for nearly four decades, many standing, inhabited structures are still covered with multiple layers of this dangerous substance. Safe removal includes protecting nearby residents from the toxic residue disturbed during the cleanup process, including unhealthy airborne dust. Sponge blasting achieves that goal without the billowing clouds, disruption and noise that accompany traditional sandblasting.

The process is important to industrial scouring and cleanup as well as lead paint removal. It is safe and effective to use on various materials, including easy-to-damage layers of substrate, hard surfaces including stone, and even heavy machinery. Commonly compared to sand, abrasives, or carefully targeted high-pressure water jets, this scouring process is technically more advanced. The abrasives cause measurably less surface trauma, and are safer environmentally.

The process relies on sponge media, which consists of small, water-based polyurethane fragments that have been impregnated with different abrasives. These particles are shot pneumatically onto a surface, where their chemical structure allows each to collect some of the substance being removed. The media absorbs that material, which can then be safely removed from the sponges, and disposed of according to current standards.

The most common abrasives are included in five basic categories, and are color coded according to the function they best perform. Red sponge media contains steel grit, and is ideal for cutting through industrial coatings. Silver contains aluminum oxide abrasives for targeting paint and other hard coatings, as well as pre-conditioning surfaces for petrochemical and paper production companies.

Flaking coats of old paint and lighter industrial sealers are easily removed using Brown media, which is also effective against surface rusting. The White variety is commonly used by store owners to eliminate building graffiti, and can be used on composites, tile, or fiberglass. Green sponge media is the lightest abrasive, and is employed mainly to get rid of soot and grease deposits in places hard to reach with normal cleaning tools.

The system eliminates nearly all dust generated using traditional scouring methods. Sandblasting is actually cheaper to use initially, because the cost of that material is lower, and it is readily available. Sand is more difficult to control during blasting, however, and can easily damage some types of material. Sponges not only suppress dust, but trap the contaminants inside, and the different abrasive ranges permit greater accuracy.

Some forms of media can be cleaned and re-used multiple times, making them more economical through recycling. Unlike traditional methods, the machinery used to blast the particles onto cleaning surfaces is less intrusive and noisy, making it possible to complete co-located jobs without completely suspending operations in adjacent offices or apartments. It is also safer for both workers and those occupying the structure.

The final result is higher quality surface preparation, and safer emission levels. The local community greatly appreciates fewer interruptions, and contractors using this method often face fewer fines for breaking environmental regulations. When compared to other scouring methods, the setup is less involved, waste is more readily captured and safely eliminated, and the job completed both efficiently and quickly.




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