What are the benefits of dry ice blasting?

Many people ask, "Why is dry ice blasting better than my current cleaning process?"

Due to the unique characteristics of dry ice, it has many benefits that make it a more attractive cleaning solution than alternatives. The benefits include:

1. Reducing downtime associated with cleaning
2. Cleaning without secondary waste
3. Improving product quality and reducing scrap
4. Eliminating equipment wear and tear
5. An environmentally responsible cleaning method

1) Reduce downtime

• Dry ice blasting helps to reduce shutdown times, as equipment can be cleaned while hot and online
• By cleaning equipment in less time, facilities are able to get more production cycles from existing equipment 
• Preventive maintenance or spot cleaning can also be done more frequently without impacting production 
• The process provides a more effective cleaning option to replace time consuming cleaning processes, such as sandblasting and the arduous process of manually scraping or drilling

2) Clean without secondary waste

• Dry ice sublimates upon impact with the surface being cleaned, which means that no secondary waste, no residue and no moisture is being generated
• It eliminates the added costs of extra cleanup, disposing of secondary waste streams and additional cleaning preparation, such as masking delicate sensors or wrapping electronic components prior to cleaning

3) Improve quality and reduce scrap

• Buildup on molds and other production equipment begins to impede performance and leads to scrap and lower quality products
• With alternative cleaning methods, cleaning is often deferred due to lengthy cleaning time
• Dry ice blasting allows manufacturers to clean faster and more frequently, which helps them to consistently produce high quality products and reduce scrap

4) Eliminate wear and tear

• Dry ice is non-abrasive and has a low coefficient of friction, so it is able to penetrate small and complex surface geometries without altering the substrate
• It is a soft media and can clean sensitive electronic equipment, such as printed circuit boards, without etching, profiling or changing surface dimensions
• The process helps extend the life of the most valuable and expensive equipment

5) Environmentally responsible

• Dry ice is made of reclaimed CO₂ and does not produce more CO₂ or add additional greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere
• It does not create secondary waste, which eliminates the possibility of downstream contamination
• The process reduces or eliminates the use of harmful chemical cleaning solvents and toxic waste

Check out our short presentation to discover the benefits of dry ice blasting.