Compressed air requirement for sandblasting

One of the major cost factors in abrasive blasting is the amount of compressed air required. Sometimes it also determines which blasting method can be used at all, the pressure blasting or injector blasting method. Both types differ greatly in terms of compressed air requirements, but also in terms of their performance. Compressed air is a significant cost factor in abrasive blasting and the choice of process should be weighed up carefully. 

It is important to know that the amount of compressed air required depends on the blast nozzle and the diameter used and not, as is often assumed, on the size of the blast pot. This also means that the compressed air requirement increases accordingly for a pot with several outlets, in other words several nozzles. 

The injector blasting process requires less compressed air, but performance must be compromised. However, for some blasting jobs, the lower performance is also sufficient or even intended, for example with thin workpieces that can easily become deformed or with little soiling. 

The classic pressure blasting method, probably the best-known blasting method, requires significantly more compressed air, but is also correspondingly more efficient in terms of surface removal. The pressure blasting method should be used for heavy soiling, processing large areas or the time factor.