The 3 forces of dry ice blasting
Kinetic Energy: Dry ice particles are accelerated by compressed air from the nozzle of the blasting gun.
Microthermal Shock: Occurs to the surface materials on the cleaning surface, causing them to shrink and lose grip on the original surface below it.
Thermal Kinetic Effect: Dry ice particles heat up from the impact it has experienced and sublimates back into its gas form (CO2), expanding underneath the surface material and removing it.
Dry ice blasting vs. Traditional Blasting
Dry ice blasting is non-abrasive, making it safer and more efficient than traditional blasting methods (sandblasting, soda blasting, hydro blasting) which can cause damage to the surface it is cleaning.
Also, unlike traditional blasting, dry ice blasting produces no secondary waste stream. The dry ice sublimate upon impact with the surface, leaving zero waste or residue.
Dry ice blasting also provides a superior clean, easier access to tight spaces, quicker turnaround and can be utilized in almost every cleaning application.
A closer look at the process
Compressed air makes its way from the compressor, through the blasting machine, picking up dry ice particles along the way.
This combination of air and dry ice then travels through the hose and out of the blast nozzle at high velocity, making contact with the cleaning surface, where the 3 forces of dry ice blasting occur, removing the contaminants from the cleaning surface and leaving behind an undamaged and completely clean surface.