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ECO-Blast Abrasives
 

PDF Presentation on Blast Abrasive

ECO-Blast is the Branded and proprietary blast abrasive produced by Gemco Minerals Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary Firstline Recovery Systems Inc. using magnetite and magnetite blends from the properties it either owns or partners with in British Columbia, Canada.

Tests have shown ECO-Blast to be an effective replacement for more traditional blast mediums in terms of cost and performance and significantly superior in terms of environmental impact and recyclability

A number of comparison demonstration have been conducted using ECO-Blast and competitive/alternative products and the results have been very positive.

Comparison Test - ECO-Blast vs. Copper Slag & Nickel Slag*

Test Conditions

Tests were conducted by Ross Rex Industrial Painters - Surrey, British Columbia, using government ticketed Industrial Painter Journeymen.

In all tests the equipment used was the same, namely a 600 c.f.m. electric compressor with a dryer, achieving approx. 85 psi at the end of a #7 nozzle. The blast pot was equipped with a Schmidt valve.

The product blasted was a tight adhering mill scale on mild steel with some corrosion.
In each case 250 pounds of product was used, with the same operator conducting each sample test.

Results*

Copper Slag (250 pounds)
In 15 minutes the copper slag achieved 20 sq. ft of a #10 near white blast. The profile was 4.2 mills

Nickel Slag (250 pounds)
In 25 minutes the nickel slag achieved 60 sq. ft. of a #10 near white blast. The profile was 3.8 mill.

ECO-Blast (250 pounds)
In 24 minutes the Eco-Blast achieved 100 sq. ft. of a #10 near white blast. The profile was 3.2 mills.

Added Test for Eco-Blast

The ECO-Blast abrasive was tested on removing 80 plus mills of epoxy, an exceptionally highly coated surface.

Results*

In 5 minutes the ECO-Blast achieved 3 sq.ft (36 sq. ft/hr) of a #10 near white blast. Neither nickel nor copper slag would be appropriate for this application.

Conclusion*

The ECO-Blast showed superior properties in all tests and offered the added bonus of working well on coated, as well as, uncoated substrates.

* These blast tests were conducted using limited quantities and under subjective conditions. Firstline is undertaking a program of continuous testing and evaluation and will post new performance results as they become available.

Comparison Test - ECO-Blast vs. Stauolite*

Tests were conducted by Ross Rex Industrial Painters - Surrey, British Columbia using government ticketed Industrial Painter Journeymen.

In all tests the equipment used was the same, namely a 400 c.f.m. air compressor with a dryer, achieving approx. 120 psi at the end of a #5 nozzle. The 300 pound blast pot was equipped with a Schmidt valve.

The product blasted was a tight mill scale on mild steel with no corrosion.

Results*

Stauolite
In 7 minutes the Stauolite achieved 18 sq. ft of a #10 near white blast. The profile was 2.8 mills

ECO-Blast
In 18 minutes the ECO-Blast achieved 39.2 sq. ft of a #10 near white blast. The profile was 3.3 mills

* These blast tests were conducted using limited quantities and under subjective conditions. Firstline is undertaking a program of continuous testing and evaluation and will post new performance results as they become available.

Field Test - National Association of Coatings Engineers (NACE) represented by Mr. Brian Guthrie*

All data was verified by Mr. Brian Guthrie (NACE) inspector and consultant. Mr. Guthrie has over 20 years in industrial painting, much of this in the sand blasting division.

All work was performed using government ticketed Industrial Painter Journeymen.

All tests were performed using standard ECO-Blast abrasive.

In all tests the equipment used was the same, namely a 400 c.f.m. air compressor with a dryer, achieving approx. 120 psi at the end of a #5 nozzle. The 300 pound blast pot was equipped with a Schmidt valve.

Observations and Conclusions

The abrasive at 400 c.f.m. and 120 p.s.i. produced an SSPC #10 NACE #2 near white blast with very little effort (one pass). The air temperature was 9.7C, relative humidity was 79.6%, dew point was 6.1C, and the steel temperature was 12-13C.

The test was conducted on grade1 steel with 90% mill scale and approximately 10% surface rust.

"It is my opinion that this material (ECO-Blast) is similar to stauolite or garnet in terms of its performance and speed."

"I am also given to understand that its recycling capability is analogous to stauolite and garnet products in removing mill scale."

Brian Guthrie

* These blast tests were conducted using limited quantities and under subjective conditions. Firstline is undertaking a program of continuous testing and evaluation and will post new performance results as they become available.

Comparison Pricing - ECO-Blast & Competitive Products

Comparison Cost per Square Foot - ECO-Blast & Competitive Products

© 2006 Gemco Minerals Inc.