(Newswire.net — February 28, 2018) — Blasting mats are indispensable in construction, civil engineering projects, and in the mining industry. High quality blasting mats will last for years, and ensure that your equipment and personnel are protected from rock falls, explosions, shockwaves, and much more.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the basics of blasting mats, as well as their common uses. Then, we’ll discuss what you should look for in a high-quality, durable blasting mat.
What Are Blasting Mats?
Blasting mats are made up of recycled rubber, usually from truck tires. This 12” thick rubber is used to create a mat. Lengths of tire are threaded together using cables and forged clamps. This creates an extremely thick, durable material that has a variety of different applications.
What Are Blasting Mats Used For?
By far, the most common application of blasting mats is to protect personnel and equipment when blasting in a construction or engineering project.
Blasting mats are laid over the explosion site, usually using cranes or excavators. The entire blasting area is covered with these mats, which will protect against shockwaves, debris, rocks, and more. Because the rubber is so strong and durable, the explosion will be dispersed and contained effectively.
However, blasting mats can be used for many other applications, including:
- Temporary roads
- Retaining walls for roads and construction areas
- Rock fall protection
- Water edge ramps
- Machinery pads to protect construction sites
With a wide variety of uses, blasting mats are a must-have, especially for urban construction projects which require blasting. Most insurance companies require blast mats to prevent overpressure from damaging surrounding areas, or flyrock from damaging property or injuring passersby.
How to Pick Blasting Mats
- Pick the right size – Blasting mats are usually found in sizes between 6-10’, but 12’ mats are manufactured by some companies. Typically, bigger is better – but the larger a blasting mat is, the more power you’ll need to move it. Some smaller excavators and earthmovers may not be powerful enough to move large, heavy blasting mats – so make sure to check the weight of the mat before you purchase it.
- Ensure top material quality – The best blasting mats are made with semi-truck tires. These tires use thick vulcanized rubber, as well as steel treads and inlays that further increase their tensile strength. You should also make sure that the cables are of adequate quality. Look for galvanized steel cables which are at least 0.5in thick, and forged clamps that hold the cable in place. Mats will also have “lifting rings” which are either forged or welded into place. Either type of lifting ring is acceptable for most applications.
- Choose the right type of blasting mat – There are 3 common types of rubber blasting mat; tread, sidewall, and quarter-tire. Tread mats use the entire tread of the tire, flattened into a long, horizontal mat. These mats are the most versatile kind of blasting mat. Sidewall mats consist of sections of tire sidewall, connected with cables. They are strong, but they are not flat, so they are not great for use as a water edge ramp, road, or machinery pad.Quarter-tire mats use overlapping tire quarters, connected with cables. They’re very thick and dense, and very useful for high-intensity blasting applications and as retaining walls. Most blasting mats, properly used, will last for 100+ blasts or longer. However, it’s important to inspect your mats after each and every use, and make sure that the cables are holding. If your mat fails during a blast, dangerous debris could be ejected, resulting in injury or death.
Find The Blasting Mats That Are Right For You With This Guide!
Blast mats are versatile, and absolutely essential for protecting workers and equipment from debris caused by blasting projects. So take a look at this guide, think about the type of blasting mat you’ll need, and make the right investment for your particular needs.