Abrasive blasting

摘要

A method of abrasive blasting cleaning of a surface (3; 22; 43) comprises directing a flow of abrasive grit containing compressed gas at the surface (3; 22; 43) along a flow axis which is preferably non-perpendicular to the surface (3; 22; 43). Using a metallic or ceramic rebound plate (4; 26; 44) disposed adjacent the surface (3; 22; 43) causes grit from the flow rebounding from the surface (3; 22; 43) to be bounced back onto the surface (3; 22; 43). An abrasive blasting apparatus (1; 21, 40) comprises a housing (2; 23; 41) engageable with a surface (3; 22; 43) to be blasted to form a blasting chamber (31). The housing (2; 23; 41) contains a blast nozzle (7; 24; 51) and a metallic or ceramic rebound plate (4; 26; 44) and is provided with a suction extraction port (10; 25; 54). The nozzle (7; 24; 51) is preferably disposed such that the grit flow axis therefrom is non-perpendicular to the surface (3; 22; 43) engaged with the housing (2; 23; 41). The rebound plate (4; 26; 44) is disposed to bounce grit from the nozzle (7; 24; 51) rebounding from the surface (3; 22; 43) back onto the surface (3; 22; 43).