Sand Blasting Washing Process on Denim Garments

Last Updated on 07/06/2022

What is Sand Blasting Process?
Sand blasting is recently a popular dry process. Sand blasting washing technique is based on blasting an abrasive material in granular, powdered or other forms through a nozzle at a very high speed and pressure onto specific areas of the garment surface. It is a mechanical process of creating fading effect / distressed / abraded / used looks effect on heavy garments like denim, canvas, twill, sometimes corduroy by the action of aluminum oxide which looks like sand. For this reason this process termed as “Sand blasting”.

Sand Blasting is generally doing which area that long time used/wear the garment fading effect occurs. By sand blasting at new position old/fading effect on garment comes before use/wear.

During sand blasting process, denim garments are first subjected to stone washing to the desired degree of washing and are then sand blasted. A solution of sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate is often sprayed on the desired area of the garment in order to obtain the same look. The garment is then neutralised, rinsed, softened and dried. Sand blasting is a water free process and, therefore, no drying is required.

Objects of Sand Blasting:

1. The main objective of sand blasting washing is to color fading / distressed / abraded / used looks from the specific surface area on the denim garments.
2. For making fashionable garments.

Sand Blasting Washing Process on Denim Garments:

1. The individual garment to be processed is put on a table.
2. An air compressor is started and pressure is maintained at 3–4 kg/cm².
3. The air compressor then stores air in the machine’s cylinder.
4. Aluminium sand or silicon sand [Al₂(SiO⁴)₃] is then put in the chamber of the blasting machine.
5. Sand and compressed air are then sprayed over the garments at specific points at a 10–200 degrees angle by a hand spray pipe.
6. Sand passes into the machine by a regulating system.
7. The machine is composed of a blasting regulator and a hand regulator to control the amount of sand and compressed air, respectively.
8. The angle of sand blowing is important. The higher the blowing angle, the higher the fading effect is and higher the risk is of fabric damage.
9. Fading is done on premarked areas.
10. Sand blasting is a hazardous technique; therefore the area should be isolated from other work areas.
11. Handling the sand blasting gun is risky; therefore operators should use safety equipment such as hand gloves, masks and gowns. Production/hours/guns vary from 25 to 45 garments, depending on the degree of fading and the extent of fading to be attained.
12. The faded garments are cleaned by shaking them manually. After sand blasting, garments are washed. The technique used may be normal washing or bleach or bio-stone washing.
13. After mechanical fading, chemical treatments are required for the buyer’s requirement.

Advantages of Sand Blasting Washing Process:

1. It is a purely mechanical process, not using any chemicals
2. It is a water-free process, therefore, no drying required
3. Variety of distressed or abraded looks possible
4. Any number of designs could be created by special techniques

Disadvantage of Sand Blasting Process:

1. Not environment-friendly
2. Health hazardous, harmful for an operator
3. There is a chance of fabric damage

References:

1. Denim: Manufacture, Finishing and Applications Edited by Roshan Paul
2. Sustainability in Denim Edited by Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu
3. Handbook of Value Addition Processes for Fabrics By B. Purushothama

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Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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