How does it work?

The concept is synonymous with all blast cleaning applications where an ‘abrasive’ is accelerated in a stream of compressed air. Dry ice blasting uses solid carbon dioxide (CO²) as the blast media and due to its unique properties provides a non-abrasive, ecological ‘zero-waste’ alternative to the more ‘traditional’ methods and in comparison, is less intrusive and less aggressive even than the ’least-harmful’ soda blasting.

By its very low temperature (-79°C) dry ice provides potent thermal energy that on impacting the surface provokes an immediate detachment of the contamination – the so-called ‘thermal shock’ effect and as the dry ice pellets immediately sublime on contact (turning from solid to a harmless gas), this doesn’t create any additional waste.

Chemical-free

• Eliminates the need for chemical storage on site
• Chemical handling issues removed from personnel
• No post-cleaning chemical residues

Reduced wear

• Reduced wear as process is gentle and non-abrasive
• Highly effective in reaching areas other methods miss
• Ideal for moulds and dies that need accurate surfaces

No liquids

• Saves water consumption in water sensitive areas
• Dry ice sublimes (changes into gas) on contact so no wet floors are left behind
• No evaporation means no change in relative humidity to affect other processes

Reduced downtime

• In-situ cleaning with mobile units reduces non-operational time significantly
• No drying out time required
• Reduced dismantling of machinery means less downtime