Reduce weld spatter and save
Shield Technologies range of surface protection solutions include the premium Spatter Guard HT Plus, the entry-level Spatter Guard C and Spatter Guard Nozzle Gel. Shield CEO Wayne Holt explains that Spatter Guard HT Plus is a high quality liquid product that creates a heat absorbing film barrier to protect weld surfaces from weld spatter in high temperature applications.
“The product creates adouble action protective film preventing adherence of weld spatter in high temperature applicationsby cooling down the particle before it can fuse with the material. It is ideally suited to carbon steels, stainless steels, 3CR12 and aluminium, and can be used in gas metal arc welding, flux cored arc welding and shielded metal arc welding processes.”
Holt highlights the fact that one of the most important benefits of Spatter Guard is the fact that it is entirely silicon free. “Most products in the local market are silicon based, which proves to be a challenge during the painting or powdering process, due to the fact that when the silicon is exposed to high temperatures, it creates a glass-like silicate on the weld surface also known as silicon islands.”
According to Holt, these silicon islands either chip away during painting process – causing an uneven coating, or in the worst case scenario, contaminate the primer bath. “If they fall into a primer bath, the entire batch will have to be discarded, and this could cost a company millions of rand. What’s more, silicon is hazardous to the health of workers, who very often suffer from serious lung diseases from prolonged exposure. Spatter Guard entirely eliminates this health risk.
Further issues around safety when using aerosols is the risk of fire or explosion due to the use of propane as the propellant. We have even seen products containing dichloromethane as a solvent which is a known carcinogen,” says Holt.
Due to the fact that Spatter Guard comes in liquid form, Holt points out that it is more environmentally friendly, when compared to industry standard aerosol products. “The disposal of aerosols is a major environmental issue that is also expensive to enforce. Another advantage of a liquid product is that it works out to be more cost effective per litre. This is due to the fact that aerosols are typically comprised of around 25 per cent atomised propellant, such as propane, which is discharged into the atmosphere when utilised,” he continues.
Holt notes that the entry level Spatter Guard C can be used in similar applications to the premium Spatter Guard HT Plus, only at lower operating temperatures. “Spatter Guard C is designed for the same applications, only at significantly lower welding temperatures. These applications include truck and trailer, automotive, transformer, agricultural, fabrication and armoured carriers.”
Further, Holt points out that Spatter Guard Nozzle Gel, which is a mineral oil based wax, can be used to prevent spatter build up on the tip of the welding torch. “On the welding torch, there is a copper contact tip and a wire that comes through it, which both get exceptionally hot during welding, thereby generating spatter. These spatter particles stick to the nozzle and tip and block the gas flow through the nozzle,” Holt continues.
In these situations, the welder then has to clean the spatter away using a file or other abrasive tools. This process wears the nozzle out and ultimately decreases its lifespan. “Spatter Guard Nozzle Gel is simply pushed into the tip of the nozzle when it is hot. It then melts, forming a protective film thereby preventing the unnecessary build up of spatter, hence improving productivity and ensuring product quality” he adds.
Shield has exclusive patents on its entire range of Spatter Guard products, which are all manufactured entirely in house.