Dry ice blasting is a dry, non-abrasive process used to remove contamination and unwanted surface deposits without introducing water or secondary blast media.
The process can be adapted to different substrates, contamination types and required outcomes, making it suitable for applications ranging from industrial machinery and electrical equipment to buildings, restoration and specialist vehicles.
Real jobs across industrial, electrical, and food production sites — a look at dry ice blasting on location.
CO₂ Pellets Loaded
Compressed Air Acceleration
Impact and Sublimation
Contamination Removed
Solid dry ice pellets (frozen CO₂) are loaded into the blasting equipment. The pellets are typically around the size of rice grains.
Compressed air accelerates the dry ice through the blasting system and nozzle towards the surface being treated. Pressure, pellet delivery and nozzle selection can be adjusted according to the substrate and contamination.
On impact, the combination of pellet impact and rapid sublimation helps break the bond between suitable contamination and the underlying surface. The dry ice changes directly from solid CO₂ into gas rather than remaining behind as spent blast media.
Once dislodged, the removed contamination can be collected or managed according to the material and site requirements. Because the dry ice sublimates, there is no secondary blast media to recover after treatment.
Dry ice blasting does not introduce water to the treated surface, making it particularly useful where moisture, water ingress or subsequent drying time would be undesirable.
The blasting process itself does not require solvents, degreasers or chemical cleaning agents. Where additional treatment is required, this can be identified separately as part of the overall project scope.
Unlike abrasive blasting methods, dry ice sublimates on impact and does not leave spent blasting media behind. Only the contamination and material removed from the surface require appropriate management.
Depending on access, contamination and equipment design, machinery and components can often be treated in situ, reducing the amount of dismantling required before work begins.
Dry ice blasting does not rely on abrasive media to remove contamination. Treatment parameters are selected according to the substrate, surface condition and required outcome.
Where equipment can be treated in place, reduced dismantling, no introduced water and the absence of secondary blast media can help simplify the maintenance process and reduce associated disruption.
| Method | Introduces Water | Chemical Cleaning Agents | Secondary Blast Media | Requires Drying Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Ice Blasting | ✓ No | ✓ No | ✓ No | ✓ No |
| Pressure Washing | ✗ Yes | Method dependent | ✗ No | Typically |
| Chemical Cleaning | Method dependent | Method dependent | ✗ No | Typically |
| Abrasive Blasting | ✓ No | ✓ No | ✗ Yes | ✓ No |
Comparison is indicative only. The most appropriate treatment method depends on the substrate, contamination, access, required finish and wider project requirements.
Dry ice blasting does not introduce water or secondary blast media to the treatment process and does not require chemical cleaning agents as part of the blasting method itself.
Because the dry ice sublimates, there is no spent blasting media to collect after treatment. The material removed from the surface remains and must be contained, collected or disposed of appropriately according to the contamination and site requirements.
This can significantly simplify post-treatment clean-up compared with processes that introduce water, chemicals or expendable abrasive media.