It really depends on what you are blasting. Whether you are blasting cooper, bronze, aluminum, brass, steel, or cast iron, it all effect the life span of the abrasive. So, how long does abrasive/media last in a wet blast machine?
The abrasive and all consumables in the wet blast machine will last 8 to 10 times longer than a dry blast machine. The reason why it last longer in a wet blast machine is because the water cushions the abrasive when it makes direct contact with what you are blasting.
The water in a wet blast machine also keeps the surface of whatever you are blasting cool. The addition with water will eliminate heat build ups allowing the abrasives and consumables to last longer.
How long does abrasive last in a dry blast machine?
Abrasive life span in a dry blast machine is short. Dry blasting uses only compressed air and no water. When dry blasting, the material makes direct impact on the blasted object and will generate heat.
Upon impact the media breaks apart and becomes smaller. After many cycles of direct impact, you can imagine how the abrasive structures looks. Because the media breaks apart quicker in a dry blast machine, more of the smaller media becomes air borne and the abrasive becomes less aggressive.
When the material is air bone, breathing it in will cause Silicosis. (Read more on Silicosis)
The sheer force of the impact will also distort the geometric shape of the object causing it to be slightly off from original specs.
Overall, the material in a wet blast machine will last longer. Because of the cushioning effect of the water, the media breaks off less upon impact. Unlike the dry blast machine, the direct impact of the media breaks off more often with sheer force.
