Masking Solutions for Shot Blasting
During shot blasting, abrasive particles are propelled at high velocity against the component surface. Areas that do not require treatment need to be securely masked with a material capable of withstanding the impact of the blasting media.
Specialist masking tapes provide a durable protective barrier while maintaining adhesion throughout the process.
They can be used in applications including:
Protection Against Abrasion
Standard masking tapes may quickly wear through, lift or become damaged when exposed to abrasive blasting.
Specialist tapes for these applications use reinforced constructions designed to provide significantly greater strength and abrasion resistance.
Depending on the process, suitable materials can include silicone rubber-coated fibreglass, reinforced glass cloth and foil/glass constructions.
These materials can help to:
Masking Complex Components
The correct masking material depends significantly on the coating process.
Industrial components frequently contain areas that require selective protection, including machined surfaces, holes, threads, edges and other precision features.
In these applications, the masking tape must combine abrasion resistance with sufficient flexibility and conformability to follow the shape of the component.
Teastech can advise on the most appropriate tape construction based on the geometry of the part, the blasting medium and the severity of the process.
Surface Preparation for Further Processing
Shot and grit blasting are often used as preparation stages before another surface treatment is applied.
For example, abrasive blasting may be used to clean and prepare selected surfaces before thermal spraying or coating. Areas that are not to receive the subsequent coating may therefore need to remain masked throughout more than one stage of the process.
Certain specialist masking tapes can withstand both the abrasive preparation stage and subsequent thermal spray processes, reducing the need to remove and reapply masking between operations.
Slit and Fabricated to Your Requirements
Teastech can supply specialist masking materials in formats designed around the customer’s production requirements.
For frequently masked components, a pre-cut or die-cut solution can also reduce preparation time and help improve consistency between operators.
Our fabrication capabilities include:
Clean Edges and Reduced Rework
Accurate masking helps ensure that blasting is confined to the required areas of the component.
A correctly selected masking system can help produce a clean boundary between treated and protected surfaces, reducing the amount of finishing or corrective work required afterwards.
Specialist adhesive systems also allow the tape to maintain a strong bond during processing while supporting clean removal when the operation is complete.
Material Selection and Technical Support
The correct masking tape will depend on the requirements of the individual blasting process.
Factors to consider include:
Teastech can help customers identify a suitable masking material and determine the most practical format in which it should be supplied.