Dry ice blasting uses high pressure dry ice pellets to clean surfaces without abrasive substances. It requires less setup time and post-process cleaning than other methods. Dry ice vaporizes on impact, leaving no residue. It removes grease, oil, paint, and mold from various surfaces. Safety equipment is required.
Dry ice blasting is the use of high pressure dry ice pellets to clean any number of surfaces. Machine sizes differ for home and industrial use, and many companies rent or sell machines, dry ice makers, and dry ice pellets. Dry ice blasting generally requires less setup time and post-process cleaning than other cleaning methods. Individuals using this environmentally friendly cleaning method generally require safety equipment.
Conventional sandblasting materials typically require abrasive substances, including glass, plastic or sand, operated under high pressure to remove debris, paint or other unwanted material from various surfaces. Dry ice blasting uses miniature solid carbon dioxide pellets, about the size of a grain of rice. Compressed air propels the pellets at pressures up to 250 pounds (113.6 kg) per square inch (psi) through a 1 inch (2.54 cm) diameter hose and specially designed nozzle. The pellets vaporize on impact, leaving only the remnants of debris to clean up.
Upon impact, dry ice performs three actions simultaneously. Exposure to pellets of -109 degrees Fahrenheit (-79 degrees Celsius) instantly freezes the contaminants, causing brittleness and cracking. The ice grains immediately vaporize and the gas permeates the surface beneath the debris, freeing the contaminants from the surface of origin. The impact velocity of the dry ice pellets projects debris from the site without marring the underlying surface.
Various nozzle sizes and shapes allow users to access cracks and crevices or large open areas. Because dry ice blasting leaves no residue, the method effectively and safely cleans electronic and mechanical equipment as well as industrial environmental surfaces without requiring additional surface cleaning. The dry ice blasting technique removes grease, oil, paint and mold from metal, plastic and rubber or wood surfaces. In addition to industrial cleaning needs, smaller versions of the machines allow for do-it-yourself (Do It Yourself) sandblasting for automobile cleaning or surface preparation before painting or refinishing.
Rugged dry ice blasters range from tabletop models to cabinet sizes that move easily from one destination to another on casters or wheels. Hoses and nozzles connect quickly to the machine with metal clamp connectors. An internal chamber houses the dry ice pellets and the external cabinet features a control panel. Loading dry ice blasting equipment requires the collection of dry ice pellets from the producer bin into the chamber of the unit. The companies produce dry ice pellets in sizes ranging from that of a typical grain of rice to 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) in diameter.
The noise produced by dry ice blasters generally requires ear protection, and manufacturers also recommend eye protection due to flying debris. Likewise, the cold temperature of the dry ice as it travels through the tube and nozzle requires the use of gloves. Manufacturers also suggest using vacuum cleaners to remove vapors when using dry ice blasting indoors.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
