HIGH-PRESSURE WATERBLAST
In short
Dion Peinture industrielle uses high-pressure water at 70 MPa (10,000 psi) or more to strip paint, rust, salts and contaminants from steel and concrete before coating or inspection. On concrete, it also removes laitance, grease and epoxy or urethane coatings. The crew is based in Rouyn-Noranda and works across the region.
- 70 MPa (10,000 psi) or more
- Over 340 m/s at the nozzle
- Steel: NACE/SSPC WJ-1 to WJ-4
- Concrete: NACE No. 6/SSPC-SP 13 and ICRI CSP 1 to 10
- Val-d'Or water tower stripped by high-pressure water, then repainted
ACIER
The use of a high-pressure water jet through a nozzle at a pressure of 70 MPa (10,000 psi) or more to prepare a surface for coating or maintenance inspection. High-pressure water provides velocities greater than 340 m/s (1,100 ft/s) at the nozzle outlet. High-pressure wateron steel does not produce a surface profile, unlike sandblasting; it exposes the original profile of the surface if one exists. However, it removes paint, contaminants, rust, salts and much more.
The different standardized degrees of surface preparation used in the industry for preparing steel with high-pressure water are:
- NACE/SSPC WJ-1 – Clean to bare substrate or ISO 8501-4 Sa 3
- NACE/SSPC WJ-2 – Very thorough cleaning or ISO 8501-4 Wa 2.5
- NACE/SSPC WJ-3 – Thorough cleaning or ISO 8501-4 Wa 2
- NACE/SSPC WJ-4 – Light cleaning or ISO 8501-4 Wa 1
CONCRETE
For concrete surface preparation, high-pressure water takes on a whole other importance. Indeed, for concrete, this method will not only remove laitance, efflorescence, grease, oils and other contaminants, but also epoxy and urethane coatings with the appropriate nozzles. It is used on horizontal surfaces as well as on vertical and overhead surfaces. With ultra-high-pressure water, hydrodemolition is also possible.
The NACE No. 6/SSPC-SP 13 standard is generally used for concrete surface preparation, together with the ICRI guides.
As with steel, there are different degrees of surface preparation standardized by the ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute). Ten degrees of surface preparation are currently recognized, CSP 1 to 10.
“At Dion Peinture Industrielle, we have all the quality monitoring tools to verify the degree of surface preparation achieved during our work, according to the needs of your project.”
Frequently asked questions
Does waterblasting create a profile on steel?
No. Unlike sandblasting, high-pressure water does not create a surface profile on steel. It exposes the original profile if there is one, while removing paint, rust, salts and other contaminants.
Can it be used on walls and ceilings?
Yes. On concrete, it works on horizontal, vertical and overhead surfaces, and it can remove epoxy and urethane coatings with the right nozzles. With ultra-high-pressure water, hydrodemolition is also possible.
How do you confirm the preparation grade?
Dion has quality monitoring tools to check the degree of preparation reached during the work, against WJ grades for steel or ICRI CSP grades for concrete. To discuss your project, request a quote.