What is a Wet Sandblasting Foam Cutter and What is it Used For?

Wet blasting defoamer is an auxiliary chemical developed to quickly and effectively control the dense and persistent foam that forms during wet blasting and other water-based surface cleaning processes. By suppressing foam formation in the system, it contributes to efficient pump operation, maintaining the spray pattern, and ensuring uninterrupted operation.

In addition to foam control in wet blasting, protecting the cleaned metal surface against corrosion during and after the process is also important. Defoamers and corrosion inhibitors are complementary process chemicals used to address these two different needs.

In wet blasting, water and abrasive material are used together. The mixing of air with the liquid during spraying, mixing, and liquid circulation can lead to foam formation. The detergents and other additive chemicals used, the contaminants carried from the part, the properties of the water, and the operating conditions of the bath can affect the amount and persistence of the foam.

Intense foam can cause overflow and liquid loss in the tank; it can negatively affect the pumping and spraying process. Therefore, foam control is crucial for the smooth operation of the wet blasting process.

Foam suppressants reduce the stability of the liquid film surrounding foam bubbles, causing the bubbles to dissipate. With the appropriate product and dosage, existing foam is removed while the formation of new foam is kept under control. Wet blasting foam suppressants are used to work compatibly with inhibitors, detergents, and other additive chemicals used in the process.

• They help to quickly control dense and persistent foam.
• They support the reduction of foam-related pump efficiency losses.
• They contribute to the stable maintenance of the spray.
• They help reduce overflow, liquid loss, and operator intervention due to foam.

Protection against flash rust in wet blasting

In wet blasting and pressurized water surface cleaning processes, rusting, which can occur quickly, especially on ferrous metal surfaces, is called flash rust. Corrosion inhibitors are used to reduce this risk.

Wet blasting corrosion inhibitors delay rust formation by creating a micro-level protective film layer on the metal surface during and after cleaning. The temporary protection it provides helps prepare the cleaned surface for subsequent processing stages such as painting, coating, or assembly.

• Used in wet blasting and pressurized water surface cleaning processes.
• Helps reduce the risk of flash rust and delay rust formation.
• Provides temporary corrosion protection on the metal surface during and after cleaning.
• Does not contain nitrite, phosphate, borate, or hydrazine.

Applications of wet blasting chemicals

The prominent applications of defoamer and corrosion inhibitor are:

• Water blasting cleaning of aluminum extrusion molds
• Surface cleaning of rubber injection molds
• Water blasting cleaning of iron-based automotive spare parts

In these applications, the defoamer is used to control foam in the cleaning system; the corrosion inhibitor is used to temporarily protect the cleaned metal surface.

Product selection and dosage should be determined considering bath volume, temperature, pH, water properties, the abrasive used, and existing additive chemicals. The method of addition to the system and frequency of use are determined according to the product's technical instructions and application trials. For parts to be painted or coated, the compatibility of the additives used with the subsequent process should also be evaluated.

Net Kimya offers solutions suitable for wet sandblasting processes.

You can learn about Net Kimya's defoamer and corrosion inhibitor solutions for foam control and temporary corrosion protection in your wet sandblasting process. Contact Net Kimya for product selection and usage recommendations suitable for your application.