Definition
A surface preparation and inspection technique in which fine abrasive particles are propelled at high velocity against a composite or metal surface to clean it, roughen it for bonding, or reveal hidden damage beneath the paint or outer layer.
Plain English
Spraying tiny hard particles at a surface to clean it or to expose damage that's hiding underneath.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of composite aircraft structures, especially when preparing a surface for inspection, bonding, or repair.
Derivation
Grit means small, hard, gritty particles (sand, glass beads, aluminum oxide). Blasting means propelling them forcefully. Together: forcefully spraying abrasive particles at a surface.
Why Pilots Care
Proper surface preparation prevents weak bonds that could lead to delamination or structural failure in flight.
Analogy
It is like using very fine, high-speed sandpaper carried by air instead of rubbed by hand.
Intuition Check
Do not read “blasting” as an explosion. In this maintenance context, it means a controlled stream of abrasive particles aimed at a surface.
Example Sentence 1
After a ground handling incident, the technician used grit blasting to remove the paint and check for impact damage in the composite skin.
Example Sentence 2
Excessive grit blasting pressure can expose or damage reinforcing fibers in a composite part.