UHP water jetting uses pressurised water streams to mechanically clean surface layers, relying on kinetic energy rather than chemicals or abrasives.
Here’s a breakdown:
Key Components and Process
• Pressure and Flow: At 2,400 bar, water exits the nozzle at speeds exceeding 1,200 meters per second, creating an impact that fractures and removes contaminants. Flow rates typically range from 4 to 12 gallons per minute for the Barracuda, depending on the model and configuration.
• The Barracuda Nozzle: This is a compact, self-rotating tool (about 8 inches long, 1.8 inches in diameter) that spins at up to 3,000 RPM. The rotation covers a wider area compared to fixed nozzles, for quicker, more effective cleaning of large surfaces and odd shapes, delivering a pristine surface ready for immediate recoating.
Target Contaminants
• Paint/Coatings: Multi-layer epoxies or polyurethanes are peeled off in sheets.
• Rust/Oxidation: Soluble and insoluble rust is blasted away, often achieving WJ-3 cleanliness standards.
• Other: Scale, grease, salts, or burned residues.