Effect of blast cleaning parameters on corrosion of brass parts

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this present work is to investigate how different parameters of the blast cleaning process affect properties and quality of brass parts surface. It aims to study the following process variables: particle abrasive shape: (spherical (S) and angular (G) shot), particle abrasive size (S170, G40 and G50) and the impact velocity (40 m/s, 60 m/s and 80 m/s).

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental approach based on three testing methods is used to quantify the analysis of particulate contaminants on substrates surfaces. These methods are: SEM, BSEM and EDXA plots from SEM imaging.

Findings

The results obtained clearly show that the particle embedment decreases with decreasing of the size of angular abrasive. An increase in the embedment could be noted as impact velocity increased. It was also found that the angular abrasives have delivered a contamination level higher than that delivered by spherical abrasives. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the abrasive debris nature embedded in the treated surfaces is the iron. The coupling of this debris with the base metal (copper) in the presence of wetland causes an electrochemical corrosion. Then, if the contamination level decreases, the corrosion rate in treated brass parts by steel shots decreases also.

Originality/value

Search in the case of blast cleaning for the brass parts by steel shots has not been done previously. Using the spherical shape of the abrasive projected with a moderate impact velocity will be a solution in this case.

Citation

Masmoudi, N. and Khlif, M. (2012), "Effect of blast cleaning parameters on corrosion of brass parts", Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 454-468. https://doi.org/10.1108/15736101211281524