Why wet blasting is the most effective way to clean extrusion dies
To inspect dies properly they must be thoroughly clean.
Wet blasting (or vapor blasting to give it its other name) is exceptionally good at cleaning dies because…
· It thoroughly removes all discolouration, caustic trace, and residual aluminium particles.
· Unlike dry blasting, dies don’t need to be dry before wet blasting.
· The aggressive nature of shot or wheel blasting can damage die edges. Thanks to the cushioning effect of water there’s no risk of that with wet blasting.
· It is particularly good at cleaning complex profiles.
· It creates a perfect surface for nitriding.
All these benefits make inspection and correction, easier, quicker, and more accurate - production runs are longer and there is less chance of failure and dies being pulled.
BTW, the image shows the effect of wet blasting a spacer, the effect is identical for an extrusion die.
Learn more about the benefits of cleaning dies by wet blasting on our dedicated industry page.
