Shotblasting Sandblasting Lead paint removal
Concrete is a building material made from a mixture of small stones, grit, sand, cement, and water, which can be spread or poured into moulds and forms a stone-like mass on hardening.
A method for producing Portland cement was patented by Joseph Aspdin in 1824. Reinforced concrete was invented in 1849 by Joseph Monier. In 1889 the first concrete reinforced bridge was built, and the first concrete dams were built in 1936.
What
Shot blasting, sandblasting is used on concrete surfaces for many reasons, not only to remove lattice, paint, and screeds but much more.
Where
As our shot blasting techniques are so versatile we can treat walls, ceilings, underpasses, pools and tanks to name but a few.
We can prepare the surface on newly cast concrete or refurbishment of existing concrete.
Where
When old or existing structures are refurbished or updated they are often required to be taken back to the main structural supports or building fabric.
This is in many cases in the form or metal beams and can be found on or within things such as bridges, buildings, retaining walls and commercial buildings to name but a few.
As we at A4W Ltd, have a wide range of shot blasting and sandblasting machines that are all mobile we can undertake works in all areas from the top of the tallest buildings, under bridges, over water or on site at fabrication.
Why
With steels being predominately the main support system they require refurbishment to prolong or upgrade the structural soundness of the renovation.
Shotblasting, Sandblasting can remove old coatings and apply a key on the surface ready for new coating application.
Many structural steels have old foam or fire protection paint applied, in restoration projects this is usually required to be removed so that a new, certified, protective coatings can be applied.
We at A4W Ltd can also apply a wide range of coatings form intumescent to anti rust and many more.
How
Shotblasting, sandblasting uses media that is fired at speed to directly abrade or peen the steels surface.
With our wide range of machines and media we can get the exact spec to meet the requirements of your project.
We can also offer encapsulation and containment solutions.
We are also established in handling projects where lead paint is present, and offer encapsulation and containment solutions.
There are numerous positive aspects of concrete:
- It is a relatively cheap material and has a relatively long life with few maintenance requirements
- It is strong in compression
- Before it hardens it is a very pliable substance that can easily be shaped
- It is non-combustible
- It can be strengthened with other products such as steel rods
Brickwork
Our Shot blasting, sandblasting specialists can treat brick work to remove a wide range of mould mildew, paint, render.
As our specialist blasting techniques are so adjustable we can vary the pressure and media used to treat the brickwork in the most sympathetic manor.
We regularly undertake work on listed structures.
Lead
What
Lead is a chemical element that is assigned the symbol Pb (from the Latinplumbum)
Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust.
When
The use of lead in everyday objects originates from the times of the Romans.
Where
It was used for a number of things from lead pipes, makeup and added to wine because of its sweet taste.
Lead was found in most everyday items and this continued throughout history.
Why
Lead was used in paint because of the following qualities it gave to the coatings.
To give pigments.
Assisting in drying or curing times
Making the coating more durable and moisture resistant.
This was used widely in industry right through to people’s homes and children’s toys.
Shot Blasting, Sandblasting Concrete
Our Shot blasting, sandblasting specialists can treat brick work to remove a wide range of mould mildew, paint, render.
As our specialist blasting techniques are so adjustable we can vary the pressure and media used to treat the brickwork in the most sympathetic manor.
We regularly undertake work on listed structures.
Shot Blasting, Sandblasting Concrete
Because of the health issues lead based paints are now being phased out. While this stops the use of lead in new coating it does not address the problem of old lead based coatings previously applied.
In construction and renovation works we find that many building and mainly structures have lead based paint present.
The lead is deemed to be safe unless the paint coating is failing, cracking or flaking.
When a surface or structure is to be restored or updated this generally means that the old coating requires removal.
The sandblasting process is widely used for this purpose as it removes the old coating and provides a key for the new coting system to adhere to.
There are numerous positive aspects of concrete:
Lead contamination of the surrounding areas and personal is a large concern and needs to be managed properly.
We can offer the full package of solutions and service for the removal of the lead based coating.
Testing for the lead levels in the old coatings.
Licences and permits for the works
Protection of personnel and health monitoring
Containment and encapsulation
safe removal techniques
Registered- certificated waste removal by licenced carriers.
A4W Ltd can provide a tailored package for the specific requirements of each project.
Road marking
Our mobile blasting services mean that we can remove old road markings should this be a carpark or in a factory setting.
Shot Blasting, Sandblasting Concrete
We can tear any type of pipework to remove rust paint or castings,
Our onsite services mean we can complete on site and negates transportation costs.
Cladding
Lots of cladding building are subject to weather and can lead to the deteriation of the coatings on the cladded surface.
Our blast cleaning can clean the mould and mildew but is also suitable for removal of old coating paint plastisol and rust.
This will then be a perfect surface for new coatings to be applied.
Whether you want to renovate an old industrial unit or are changing corporate colours or advertising.
Floors
Our blasting services can be used to remove layers of old flooring to remove adhesive lattice, paint, gum, and many more.
Walls
As our mobile blasting services are so versatile we can blast surfaces, walls, ceilings and many types of structures.
Shot blasting, sandblasting can remove graffiti and we at A4W Ltd can also apply anti-graffiti coating if this presents a constant problem.
Stone
We can blast clean stone to remove Greece grime mould mildew salts paint soot and fire damage.
Following the blast process, we wash down the surface to leave the nice clean stone.
Monuments, houses, bridges,
Wet abrasive blast cleaning
Wet abrasive blast cleaning
The introduction of water into an abrasive blast stream contributes to the reduction of the dust hazard, particularly when removing old lead based paints and water-soluble contaminants. Several methods of using water with abrasives have been developed. Conventional wet abrasive blast cleaning uses the same pressures as for conventional dry blasting and similar equipment. The water is usually introduced immediately behind the nozzle so that it is atomised and accelerated through the nozzle orifice along with the air and abrasive. Water can also be introduced in controlled amounts at the base of the blast pot and is then mixed with the air and abrasive as it passes along the blast hose.
A low-pressure system exists in which water is injected into the air stream which then shrouds the air/abrasive mixture and prevents dust escaping during the blasting operation. The air/water pressure at the nozzle is relatively low; up to 7.0kgF/cm2 (100lbF/in2). Because of the low water to air ratio of the system, fine particulates of abrasive can remain on the steel surface and need to be removed by water washing. This method can produce a high visual standard of cleaning and is effective in removing a high proportion of soluble salts.
Some wet abrasive processes use inhibitors in the water to prevent rusting of the cleaned surface. It is important to establish whether any remaining traces of such inhibitors will be compatible with the paint coating to be applied subsequently. Generally, where inhibitors are not used, any surface rusting after wet abrasive blasting is usually removed by final light dry blast cleaning.
Shot Blasting, Sandblasting Concrete
The need to comply with strict paint specifications has dictated shot blasting as a prerequisite to painting. Whether it’s just a primer or finished coat, shot blasting before painting has proven to be the best process to obtain the required paint specification.
The H-I-U etc. rolled steel sections are the supporting elements of all the modern commercial and industrial building construction. Together with gusset plates, stiffeners, end plates etc., they become the assemblies that constitute the framework of the latest infrastructures. It goes without saying that good shot blasting and painting techniques make maintenance of buildings less frequent and give a better look and more aesthetic appeal. It is for this reason that after a collaboration of more than ten years FICEP and the world renowned Wheelabrator Group have signed a technology partnership to bring to the market the most productive solutions both in shot blasting and painting.
Wheelabrator has industry leading experience in shot blasting equipment and solutions for the most difficult and demanding industries such as the automobile industry, the steel mills industry, shipyards, aircraft industry, and of course, the steel construction industry with its roller conveyor wheel blasting solutions. Wheelabrator along with FICEP have world-wide market penetration and a long and comprehensive experience in automatic systems for the structural steel industry. After the first successes supplying joint solutions many years ago to some of the most significant fabricators in the world, FICEP and Wheelabrator have put together all their experiences to produce unique solutions for the structural steel market both in shot blasting and in painting of prime or finished coats.
Shot Blasting
Shot blasting is a method used to clean, strengthen (peen) or polish metal. Shot blasting is used in almost every industry that uses metal, including aerospace, automotive, construction, foundry, shipbuilding, rail, and many others. There are two technologies used: wheelblasting or airblasting.
Wheelblasting
Wheelblasting directly converts electric motor energy into kinetic abrasive energy by rotating a turbine wheel. The capacity of each wheel goes from approximately 60 kg per minute up to 1200kg/min. With these large amounts of accelerated abrasive, wheelblast machines are used where big parts or large areas of parts have to be derusted, descaled, deburred, desanded or cleaned in some form.
Often the method of transportation of the components to be blasted will define the type of machine: from simple table machines to integrated, fully automatic manipulator machines for full series automotive manufacturers, through to roller conveyors and strip descaling systems.
Airblasting
Airblast machines can take the form of a blastroom or a blast cabinet, the blast media is pneumatically accelerated by compressed air and projected by nozzles onto the component. For special applications a media-water mix can be used, this is called wet blasting.
In both air and wet blasting the blast nozzles can be installed in fixed positions or can be operated manually or by automatic nozzle manipulators or robots.
The blasting task determines the choice of the abrasive media, in most cases any type of dry or free running abrasive media can be used.
Qualifications
