Man sandblasting a stone wall

Device used for adding sand to the compressed air (top of which is a sieve for adding the sand)

Diesel powered compressor used as an air supply for sandblasting

Sandblasting or bead blasting is a generic term for the process of smoothing, shaping and cleaning a hard surface by forcing solid particles across that surface at high speeds; the effect is similar to that of using sandpaper, but provides a more even finish with no problems at corners or crannies. Abrasive Paper is a form of Paper where an Abrasive material has been fixed to its surface Sandblasting can occur naturally, usually as a result of the particle blown by the wind causing eolian erosion, or artificially, using compressed air. Wind is the flow of Air or other Gases that compose an Atmosphere (including but not limited to the Earth's) Aeolian (or Eolian or Æolian) processes pertain to the activity of the Winds and more specifically to the winds' ability to shape the surface of the Erosion is the carrying away or displacement of solids ( Sediment, Soil, rock and other particles usually by the agents of currents such as wind Compressed air An artificial sandblasting process was patented by Benjamin Chew Tilghman on October 18, 1870. A patent is a set of Exclusive rights granted by a State to an inventor or his assignee for a fixed period of time in exchange for a disclosure of an Benjamin Chew Tilghman (1821 - 1901 was an US soldier and inventor Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 1870 ( MDCCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

Historically, the material used for artificial sandblasting was sand that had been sieved to a uniform size. Sand is a naturally occurring Granular material composed of finely divided rock and Mineral particles The silica dust produced in the sandblasting process caused silicosis after sustained inhalation of dust. The Chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica or silox (from the Latin " Silex " is an Oxide Silicosis (also known as Grinder's disease and Potter's rot) is a form of Occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline Silica Inhalation (also known as respiration) is the movement of air from the external environment through the air ways and into the Alveoli. Sandblasting may now only be performed in a controlled environment using ventilation, protective clothing and breathing air supply (as it is shown in the top image).

Other materials for sandblasting have been developed to be used instead of sand; for example, steel grit, steel shots, copper slag, glass beads (bead blasting), metal pellets, dry ice, garnet, powdered abrasives of various grades, powdered slag, and even ground coconut shells or corncobs, walnut shells, baking soda have been used for specific applications and can produce distinct surface finishes. Dry ice is solid Carbon dioxide. It is commonly used as a versatile cooling agent An abrasive is a material often a Mineral, that is used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing which leads to part of the workpiece being worn away The Coconut Palm ( Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Some commercial grade blasters are specially designed to handle multiple blast abrasives. These blasters are commonly referred as multi-media blasters.

Sandblasting can also be used to produce three dimensional signage. This type of signage is considered to be a higher end product as compared to the flat signs. These signs often incorporate gold leaf overlay and sometimes crushed glass backgrounds which is called smalts. Smalt is powdered Glass, colored deep Blue ( Powder blue) using Cobalt, used for dyeing and laundering.

Sandblasting can be used to refurbish buildings or create beautiful works of art (carved or frosted glass). Modern masks and resists facilitate this process, producing accurate results.

Sandblasting technique is used for cleaning of boat hulls, bricks and concrete work. Sandblasting which is also known as blast cleaning is used for cleaning industrial as well as commercial structures.

See also

• Pressure washer
• Abrasive blasting
• Sodablasting
• Bead blasting