• Removes corrosion, coatings, mill scale and other contaminants without removing healthy material.
• Restores corroded and pitted surfaces to a near white metal or white metal appearance.
• Does not grind or polish the metal surface during operation.
• Generates anchor profiles ranging from 65 to 85 microns on hardened steel.
• Cleans and profiles quickly with long lasting, safe Bristle Belts.
• Suitable for spot repairs as well as larger areas where other process are prohibitive.

Process Description

The Bristle Blaster System is an innovative bristle blasting process that removes corrosion and generates an anchor profile by using a specially designed rotary bristle tool. This tool consists of hardened wire bristle tips that are bent forward and are dynamically tuned to a hand-held power tool which operates at approximately 2,500 rpm.

Principles of Operation

The bristle tips strike the corroded surface with a kinetic energy that is equivalent to standard processes that use grit blast media. Immediately after striking the corroded steel surface, the bristle tips retract (i.e., “rebound”) from the surface, which results in both corrosion removal and a micro-indentation to expose a fresh surface. Consequently, surfaces that have been treated by the bristle blasting tool have a texture and visual cleanliness that mimics those obtained by traditional grit blasting processes. The bristle blasting process also generates a compressive residual stress along the treated surface which can increase the ability of steel to resist cracking, fatigue, and stress corrosion.

Test Results

Tests carried out at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have indicated that the bristle blasting tool can perform on par with traditional grit blasting processes. Corroded and pitted steel surfaces have been restored to a near-white or white metal appearance. In addition, an anchor profile that ranges from 65 μm to 83 μm (Rz) is routinely obtained on standard API 5L steel, which is commonly used for petroleum piping applications. The tests have also shown that corroded surfaces can be thoroughly treated at a rate of 1.1 m²/hr., which is well within the life of a single bristle blasting tool.

Process Advantages & Benefits

The chief advantages of the bristle blasting process is its simplicity. The tool is driven by a light-weight, hand-held power tool that can utilize either a standard electric power source or compressed air. Safety precautions to be taken by the operator are the same as for ordinary hand-held power tools, namely, work gloves, suitable work-clothing, and appropriate face / eye protection. The tool has excellent mobility and eliminates the need for complex equipment, work suits, breathing apparatus, and grit-recovery systems, as required for ordinary abrasive blasting processes. In addition, the bristle blasting process is eco-friendly and does not use or generate hazardous waste, thereby providing a “green” approach to corrosion removal and surface preparation of steel components.

Common Applications

The bristle blasting process is ideally suited for spot-repair applications and can also be applied to larger surface areas where the use of other metal cleaning processes may be prohibitive. The process provides an efficient means for removal of corrosion, mill scale, defunct protective coatings, and for post-weld cleaning operations. These applications frequently arise in a wide range of fabricating and infrastructure-support operations, such as onshore / offshore well drilling installations, bridge refurbishment, and fabrication or repair of marine vessels.