Blasting, specifically sandblasting or grit blasting, is a surface treatment process used on aircraft parts to clean, prepare, or finish surfaces. It involves propelling abrasive materials at high velocity onto the surface of a part to remove contaminants, coatings, or oxidation. Here's a breakdown of how it works and its applications in the aerospace industry:

Types of Blasting Used for Aircraft Parts

1. Grit Blasting – Uses sharp-edged abrasive particles (e.g., aluminum oxide, garnet) to remove paint, corrosion, or scale from metal surfaces.
2. Bead Blasting – Uses rounded glass beads for a gentler cleaning action, often used on aluminum and titanium parts.
3. Plastic Media Blasting (PMB) – Uses soft plastic particles to remove paint without damaging delicate aircraft components.
4. Soda Blasting – Uses sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as an abrasive, effective for paint removal without damaging underlying surfaces.
5. Dry Ice Blasting – Uses CO₂ pellets that sublimate on impact, providing a non-abrasive cleaning solution.
6. Shot Peening – A special process that uses spherical media to induce compressive stress, improving fatigue resistance in aircraft components.

Applications in Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing

• Paint and Coating Removal: Essential for stripping old paint or coatings before applying new protective layers.
• Surface Preparation: Before applying primers, adhesives, or thermal sprays, blasting ensures better adhesion.
• Corrosion Removal: Removes rust and oxidation from aluminum, steel, and titanium parts.
• Deburring and Edge Rounding: Helps in removing sharp edges and smoothing out surfaces after machining.
• Stress Relief & Fatigue Life Improvement: Shot peening helps improve fatigue strength in turbine blades, landing gear, and structural components.

Considerations for Aircraft Blasting

• Material Sensitivity: Aircraft parts are often made of aluminum, titanium, and composites, requiring careful selection of abrasives to avoid damage.
• Controlled Process: Aerospace standards (e.g., AMS, MIL-SPEC) dictate blasting parameters to ensure consistency and prevent part degradation.
• Environmental Concerns: Traditional sandblasting (silica-based) is largely replaced by safer methods due to health risks (e.g., silicosis) and environmental regulations.
• Precision & Quality Control: Automated blasting systems and robotic blasting ensure uniform treatment, especially for critical components like turbine blades and engine parts.