Should You Use Dry Ice Blasting or Sandblasting?
You’re most likely wondering if sandblasting or dry ice blasting is the better option for your needs.
If you’ve clicked this blog, you’re most likely wondering if sandblasting or dry ice blasting is the better option for your needs. As industry leaders in dry ice products, we’re here to help you understand the pros and cons of both options.
What are the Best Applications for Sandblasting?
Though the term has “sand” in it, sandblasting has several abrasives you can select, such as concrete, glass, soda, and metal. It’s an excellent solution when you need a robust method to strip off stubborn layers such as paint, corrosion, and oil-stained concrete. However, since sandblasting is abrasive, it can wear down surfaces.
Also, because sandblasting involves blasting tiny particles, it requires specialized equipment to reduce health hazards. Additionally, sand particles or other media remains could become caught in machinery’s crevices depending on the application. Therefore, it might be best for individual parts and buildings versus complex machines.
Sandblasting is ideal for:
- Preparing surfaces for coating activity
- Restoring the authentic images of brick and stone
- Enabling mold remediation
- Removing oil stains from driveways
- Cleaning concrete surfaces
- Creating etched signs
- Stripping off paint and corrosion
- Cleaning smaller tools
What are the Best Applications for Dry Ice Blasting?
Dry ice blasting isn’t as abrasive as sandblasting. Also, instead of using tiny, solid particles for blasting, dry ice blasting uses small pellets of CO2 that start solid and sublimate or turn into gas upon impact. Impact, frigid temperatures, and expansion during sublimation work together to embrittle and remove dust, dirt, or other unwanted debris and contaminants without alternating the underlying surface. Also, dry ice blasting doesn’t leave a residue such as liquids or microparticles.
Dry ice blasting is best for:
- Bitumen tar removal
- Cleaning fin fan coolers
- Polishing electrical motor windings and turbines
- Cleaning heavy mining equipment
- Restoring scaffolding
- Cleaning furnaces
- Cleaning variable frequency drives
Which Option is Best for Me?
If what you need to do requires heavy-duty blasting and you don’t mind an additional setup and cleanup process, sandblasting might be an ideal solution. However, if precision, an easier setup and blasting method, and assurance that you won’t damage the material are what you need, then dry ice blasting is best. In that case, you might want to consider dry ice blasting.
Contact Dry Ice Corp today to learn more about how dry ice can help your industry.
Dry Ice for All Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge number of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200, or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
