Abrasive blasting is the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive

Abrasive

An abrasive is a material, often a mineral, that is used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing which leads to part of the workpiece being worn away...

 material against a surface under high pressure

Pressure

Pressure is the force per unit area applied in a direction perpendicular to the surface of an object. Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to the local atmospheric or ambient pressure.- Definition :...

 to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface, or remove surface contaminants. A pressurized fluid, typically air, or a centrifugal wheel is used to propel the media. The first abrasive blasting process was patented by Benjamin Chew Tilghman

Benjamin Chew Tilghman

Benjamin Chew Tilghman was an American soldier and inventor. He is best known as the inventor of the process of sandblasting.-Early life:...

 on October 18, 1870.

There are several variants of the process, such as bead blasting, sandblasting, and sodablasting

Sodablasting

Sodablasting is a process in which sodium bicarbonate is applied against a surface using compressed air. An early use was to restore the Statue of Liberty in the late 1980s....

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Common features include: the ability to use extremely fine, or coarse, media with densities ranging from plastic to steel; the ability to use hot water and soap to allow simultaneous degreasing and blasting; Elimination of Dust - so silicacious materials can be used without worry, hazardous material or waste can be removed without danger - e.g.