Shot blasting is a popular choice in the steel fabrication industry, utilised to ensure that steel is free from contaminants and ready for further treatment.
In this blog, we explore what shot blasting, is and why it is important when it comes to protecting steel.
Shot blasting is a process to remove paint, oils, and other substances from the surface of steel.
The shot blasting process uses small amounts of materials known as “shot”. Commonly, materials such as hot dip such as aluminium oxide or carbon grit are propelled onto the steel at high speed. Shot blasters can use many different types of material as “shot”.
Shot blasting is predominantly used to prepare steel for a further process such as hot dip galvanizing. It can also be used to blast black steel to help generate a thicker coating when it is time to hot dip galvanize it. It should be noted that shot blasting is different to sand blasting.
Steel cleanliness is vital for ensuring an effective hot dip galvanizing and powder coating application. Shot blasting is an effective way of removing surface contamination that would otherwise not be removed by the typical chemical pre-treatment used in both galvanizing and powder coating facilities (i.e. paints, waxes or heavy oils). The zinc from the galvanizing bath cannot bond to the steel effectively if there is residue preventing it from making contact with the steel surface. Powder coating also becomes affected, impacting the end quality and reducing the coating’s lifespan and durability.
As a rule, surfaces with a roughened finish, such as steel which has been blasted, form thicker coatings during hot dip galvanizing than usual. This is because the rough texture of the surface creates a larger surface area for the molten zinc to react with. Increased coating thickness helps contribute to its longevity, protecting the underlying steel against corrosion for longer. This process is typically used for articles that are required to withstand a usable life in a harsher, more corrosive environment, for example, in coastal regions.
Since the process is surface-level, it avoids chemically altering the fabrication. It’s also a quick process thanks to the speed the shot is sprayed at.
Finally, shot blasting is an environmentally friendly process; metallic shot can be re-used multiple times, reducing material costs and excess waste.
Joseph Ash Medway is home to our specialist shot blasting facility. Based in Kent, the site offers a one-stop shop facility of steel treatment and protection services, including hot dip galvanizing and powder coating. The site also offers collection and delivery services across the South East and surrounding areas, so you can save money and time arranging work from multiple companies. Our cabinets are fully approved and meet all health and safety, and environmental regulations.
Joseph Ash Galvanizing is home to nine strategically located UK galvanizing plants, with a specialist shot blasting facility at Joseph Ash Medway. Other Joseph Ash sites may also provide shot blasting via an external provider.
Joseph Ash Medway is a one stop shop for steel fabricators and end clients looking to protect their steel against corrosion. But what exactly does this mean, and what are the benefits of a one stop shop steel protection provider?
A one stop shop is simply another way of saying something is under one roof. The place is your “one stop” for everything you need. It’s a term most commonly used in retail, but it can also apply for service providers too.
In the steel protection industry, a one stop shop service provider is one that can cover all stages of the steel protection process. This includes any pre- and post-treatment, as well as your chosen coating methods.
Joseph Ash Medway offers shot blasting, hot dip galvanizing, and powder coating. These can be broken down as follows:
Before any type of metal is galvanized, it needs to be cleaned of rust and uneven particles. One of the most effective ways to do this is with shot blasting.
This process strips off the steel of any existing rust or excess layers and prepares it for coating. In doing so, it enhances the quality of the subsequent galvanizing process by allowing the zinc to properly coat the steel.
It’s important that steel is galvanized shortly after shot blasting to avoid corrosion.
Galvanizing provides superior corrosion protection for steel. In regular circumstances, it protects metal from rusting for multiple decades.
There are many benefits to hot dip galvanizing steel. The enhanced corrosion protection means you save money and time maintaining or re-fabricating the steel, and you can be assured that the steel will remain safe to use.
The process is also sustainable and fits into a circular economy.
Powder coating is an alternative to liquid paint that lasts longer, dries quicker, and is more environmentally friendly. Aluminium can also be powder coated.
Joseph Ash Medway is an approved AkzoNobel paint applicator for galvanized steel, giving you access to their high quality range of paints and colours. We’re also skilled in using powder coatings from many other suppliers too.
Even if you don’t want a colourful finish, there are plenty of more natural colours to choose from, so you can still reap the benefits of extended corrosion protection.
Save the stress of arranging for timeslots and deliveries between multiple companies. By choosing one company for all of your steel coating requirements, you can be sure to receive the same level of quality and service throughout the whole process. You also only need to make one enquiry.
We understand quick turnaround times are paramount for ensuring your projects are completed and returned to you promptly, without compromising on quality.
Our Medway site is proud to offer a standard turnaround of 48-72 hours on hot dip galvanizing and powder coating, with a premium 24 hour service available on agreed orders.
We’ll take care of the collection and delivery process across the South East of England, making the process as seamless as possible.
A one stop shop is the sustainable choice thanks to reduced CO² emissions associated with transport.
Additionally, galvanizing and powder coating are both environmentally friendly processes. Hot dip galvanizing fits into a circular economy, and at Joseph Ash, we have modernised our plants to capture and minimise waste emissions. Powder coating is also more sustainable than paint because there is less material waste involved. Most importantly, the process reduces the speed of corrosion, meaning there is less waste involved with steel refabrication.
Joseph Ash Medway has been granted approved applicator status by AkzoNobel for their Interpon range of paints. We are also among only a handful of companies to be an approved AkzoNobel paint applicator, and are the only one to be based in the South East, in Sittingbourne, Kent.