Anchor Pattern

What is an ANCHOR PATTERN, and how do I get it? We hear that question a lot, and maybe this will help answer those questions.

The anchor pattern or profile is extremely important to protective coatings in that it provides for excellent coating adhesion. Coatings manufacturers specify the optimal profile needed to achieve maximum coating adhesion for each different coating.
Anchor pattern can be thought of as tiny peaks and valleys in the substrate being blasted. The depth of these “valley’s” is determined by the size, type and hardiness of the abrasive being used; by the air pressure; and by the distance and angle of the nozzle to the surface. Too much anchor pattern wastes coating and allows substrate to show through; too little anchor pattern reduces the bonding surface between the material and the substrate.

Typically anchor pattern is expressed in mils, microns or millimeter

• 1mil = 1/1,000 in.
• 25 microns = 1 ml
• 25.4 millimeters = 1 in.
• 39 mils = millimeter

Pressure, distance from the surface and angle can effect the anchor pattern but following are some general guidelines on how to achieve specific anchor patterns. Assumption is 90PSI nozzle pressure, 2 feet from surface: