Industrial coating Do blasting media affect the coating?

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dataTec AG

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Results of the extensive QIB blasting project.

The QIB blasting project focused on how blasting media affect the adhesion strength and corrosion resistance of coatings.

Blasting processes are a proven method for surface pretreatment, offering high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. Unfortunately, blasted surfaces do not always reach their full potential, which often leads to premature failure of corrosion protection or other coating defects. In this project, 13 different blasting media—including angular and round, metallic and mineral materials—were tested to determine which best ensure the desired adhesion strength and corrosion resistance. Over 100 steel plates were blasted according to strict specifications and subsequently coated with a one-layer powder coating system. The goal was to determine the ideal roughness and cleanliness to ensure maximum adhesion and durability of the coating.

The series of tests showed that angular blasting media often provided advantages in achieving the desired surface structure. However, round blasting media also achieved remarkably good results in corrosion tests (KK test and NSS test). All samples treated with the optimal blasting media operating mix withstood the 480-hour corrosion test without significant defects.

What matters in optimizing surface treatment

The correct blasting media operating mix is of particular importance. It must neither be too coarse nor too fine, neither dusty nor oily, to achieve optimal surface roughness and cleanliness. Only in this way can the adhesion strength of the coating be reliably and reproducibly ensured. The right blasting media—tailored to the corrosion protection system—enables the full potential of the blasting process to be realized. The project results offer valuable insights that can not only enhance the quality of surface treatment but also extend the lifespan of corrosion protection.

Christian Hoffmann, Head of Sales at Vulkan Inox and a member of the QIB blasting project: "Our in-house stainless steel blasting media from Vulkan Inox, Chronital and Grittal, have proven particularly effective in this demanding project. They were extensively tested and performed excellently in all areas. These blasting media are characterized not only by their exceptional fracture resistance but also by their extremely low dust generation, ensuring a clean and healthy working environment. Particularly noteworthy is their ability to deliver consistent and uniform blasting results at any time, which ensures high efficiency and quality in surface processing. Thanks to their outstanding performance under the most demanding conditions, Chronital and Grittal have proven to be the ideal solution for the challenges of this project and offer optimal performance for a wide variety of applications."

Future prospects and conclusion

The QIB blasting project brings more clarity to the often uncertain areas of surface treatment and offers practical solutions for better coating performance. "The exchange and collaboration among various experts from the quality community make a decisive contribution to the continuous improvement of processes and standards in industrial coating," says Christian Hoffmann. "The future will show how the insights and results from this project impact practice and how we, together with the industry, can achieve the best solutions for durable and corrosion-resistant Can find surfaces."