Dry ice blasting
Dry ice blasting is a cleaning process that uses pellets of solid carbon dioxide (CO2) propelled by compressed air to clean surfaces. When the CO2 pellets hit a surface, they sublimate, turning directly from a solid to a gas which removes contaminants without leaving any residue. This process is non-abrasive, non-toxic, and non-conductive, making it ideal for cleaning delicate equipment like electrical components or surfaces where water and chemicals are unsuitable.
Dry ice blasting works through five key processes:
- Particle impact. Small frozen CO₂ pellets are propelled at high speed by compressed air to strike the surface.
- Sublimation. On impact, the pellets instantly change from solid to gas at about −78.5 °C.
- Expansion. The rapid gas expansion causes tiny “micro-explosions” that lift contaminants from the surface.
- Temperature shock. The extreme cold makes coatings or residues contract and crack, aiding removal.
- No residue – Since CO₂ sublimates completely, it leaves no secondary waste or moisture, resulting in a clean, dry surface.
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