QIB blasting project: Results of the blasting media test presented

Experts presented the first results of the blasting media test conducted by the Qualitätsgemeinschaft Industriebeschichtung (QIB), the QIB blasting project, at the PIB - Praxisforum für Industriebeschichtung - in Wetzlar on November 14 and 15, 2024 (reported by Surface Technology Online). Vulkan Inox was part of the team of experts and was live on site with its employees Christian Hoffmann and Peter Müller. The QIB blasting project, which was launched over a year ago with an initial project outline, was dedicated to the question of how blasting abrasives influence the adhesive strength and corrosion resistance of coatings.

Why an optimal blasting result is important

Blasting processes are a proven method for pretreating surfaces, offering high efficiency, economy and environmental friendliness. Unfortunately, however, blasted surfaces do not always reach their full potential. This often leads to premature failure of the corrosion protection or other defects in the coating. In this project, 13 different blasting media - including angular and round, metallic and mineral materials - were tested to determine which would best provide the desired bond strength and corrosion resistance. Over 100 steel plates were blasted according to strict specifications and then coated with a 1-layer powder coating system. The aim was to determine the ideal roughness and purity to ensure maximum adhesion and durability of the coating.

Initial findings and results of the QIB blasting project

The series of tests showed that in many cases, angular blasting media brought advantages in achieving the desired surface structure. However, round abrasives also achieved remarkably good results in the corrosion test (KK test and NSS test). All samples treated with the optimum abrasive operating mixture survived the 480-hour corrosion test without any significant defects. The correct abrasive operating mixture is particularly important. It must be neither too coarse nor too fine, neither dusty nor oily, in order to achieve optimum surface roughness and purity. This is the only way to ensure reliable and reproducible adhesion of the coating. The right abrasive - matched to the corrosion protection system - makes it possible to exploit the full potential of the blasting process. The results of the project provide valuable insights that not only improve the quality of the surface treatment, but can also extend the service life of the corrosion protection.

Christian Hoffmann, Head of Sales at Vulkan Inox and member of the QIB blasting project, sums up: "Vulkan Inox's own stainless steel blasting media, Chrontital and Grittal, also proved particularly effective in this challenging project. They were tested intensively and performed excellently in all areas. These abrasives are characterized not only by their exceptional breaking strength, but also by their extremely low dust generation, which ensures a clean and healthy working environment. Particularly noteworthy is their ability to deliver uniform and consistent blasting results at all times, ensuring high efficiency and quality in surface treatment. Thanks to their outstanding performance in the most demanding conditions, Chronital and Grittal have proven to be the ideal solution for the challenges of this project, offering optimal performance for a wide range 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 cooperation of the various experts from the quality community make a decisive contribution to the continuous improvement of processes and standards in industrial coating," says Christian Hoffmann. "In the future, we will see how the findings and results from this project play out in practice and how we can find the best solutions for durable and corrosion-resistant surfaces together with industry."