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How Does Dry Ice Blasting Process Work?
With the dry ice blasting process, dry ice (CO2) particles are propelled to supersonic speed impacting and cleaning a surface. The particles are accelerated by compressed air, just as with other blasting methods. Overall, there are three steps involved in dry ice blasting. It can be better understood in the following example:
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Step #1 - Energy Transfer
With dry ice blasting, dry ice pellets are propelled out of the blasting gun at supersonic speed and impact the surface. The energy transfer knocks off the contaminant without abrasion. The force of this impact is the primary means of cleaning.
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Step #2 - Micro-Thermal Shock
The cold temperature during dry ice blasting of the dry ice pellets hitting the contaminant creates a micro-thermal shock (caused by the dry ice temperature of -109º F) between the surface contaminant and the substrate. Cracking and delamination of the contaminant occurs furthering the elimination process.
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Step #3 - Gas Pressure
The final phase of dry ice blasting has the pellet exploding upon impact. This micro-explosion expands the solid pellet 800 times its volume size, as it is converted to a harmless gaseous state, all the while, underneath the contaminant surface. This forces off the contaminant from behind and breaks the bond. The contaminant is then relocated, typically falling to the ground. Since the dry ice evaporates, only the contaminant is left for disposal.
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