Understanding dry ice blasting
Dry ice cleaning: how does it work? The cryogenic cleaning technique represents a tremendous advance in terms of industrial cleanliness. However, it remains a mystery to many neophytes, and perhaps you are one of them. Discover in this article and video the explanations of the dry ice blasting process
Discover the Power of Dry Ice Blasting
HOME > DRY ICE BLASTING > HOW IT WORKS?
Dry ice blasting in a few words...
Dry ice blasting is a cleaning technique that uses dry ice and its physical properties as a means of instantaneous detachment of pollution or dirt.
As dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) has the hardness of chalk, this process cleans surfaces very gently. To discover all the advantages of this industrial cleaning technology, click on the link at the bottom of the page, Advantages of dry ice blasting.
The Cryoblaster® process uses the dry ice blasting process by means of blasters and compressed air. See illustration below.
Explanations of dry ice blasting in a video...
Dry ice blasting is based on the simultaneous action of 3 physical phenomena
See video below
1- Kinetic energy
The dry ice, in the form of dry ice pellets with a diameter of 3 mm, is projected at very high speed onto the surfaces to be treated using compressed air and supersonic nozzles (convergence/divergence).
The dry ice is thus charged with kinetic energy (Ec = 1/2 mV²).
Upon impact, the dry ice pellets generate a localized shock wave, facilitating the detachment of pollution from the treated surface.
However,it is important to remember that the energy transfer to the support is minimal, for 2 reasons:
Firstly: the hardness of dry ice is comparable to that of chalk. Less dense and less heavy, dry ice is non-abrasive.
- Secondly: the almost instantaneous transition (or thousandths of a second) from a solid state to a gaseous state of the dry ice therefore only allows a minimal transfer of energy as indicated above.
Dry ice blasting service on an electrical cabinet...
2- Thermal differential
The very low temperature of the dry ice pellets, -78.5 °C, confers undeniable thermodynamic properties to the dry ice blasting process!
Depending on the type of pollution or contaminant treated, a temperature difference between the dry ice and the substrate, or a thermal shock, may occur. As the temperature of a contaminant or pollution decreases, it becomes brittle, allowing the dry ice pellets to have an impact on the pollutant.
The thermal gradient or differential between two different materials, with different coefficients of thermal expansion, can also facilitate the decohesion of the pollutant from the substrate. This thermal shock or thermal differential is more evident during the dry ice blasting of a non-metallic coating (e.g., electrical cabinets covered with dry residues) or a contaminant bonded to a metallic substrate (e.g., coating on a foundry mold)
The hotter the temperature of the surface to be treated, the more economical and faster the dry ice blasting process is (e.g., aluminum foundry gravity mold).
Many companies are interested in the cryogenic cleaning process but are concerned about how their tools will react to the cold of dry ice: studies have shown that the drop in temperature occurs only on the surface, so there is no risk of thermal stress in the metallic mass of the substrate with dry ice cleaning. Example: plastic molding.
3- Sublimation
Upon impact, the dry ice undergoes sublimation (transition from solid state to gaseous state) with a ratio of 1 to 700. We can talk about micro-explosions.
The dirt is literally blown out. All that remains is to suck up the dirt or residue. The treatment is dry and does not generate secondary waste, unlike the use of a high-pressure cleaner or a sandblaster.
Delta Diffusion/Cryoblaster® all rights reserved 2026.
Implement a Cryogenic Cleaning Operation
Step 1
Dry Ice Production
Dry ice is produced from liquid CO2, forming solid dry ice pellets ready for use.
Step 2
High-Velocity Projection
The dry ice pellets are projected at high speed onto the surface to be cleaned, disintegrating the contaminants.
Step 3
Impeccable Results
Contaminants are removed without leaving residues, providing a clean and ready-to-use surface.
The dry ice blasting process in detail (see image above):
- (1). After connecting the compressed air supply (compressor or factory pressurized air network) and starting the dry ice blasting unit,
- (2). Introduce the dry ice, in the form of 3 mm pellets, into the blaster, inside the tank. dry ice, in the form of 3 mm dry ice pellets, is placed in the blaster, inside the tank.
- (3). The dry ice is mixed with the compressed air flow inside the blaster,
- (4). Then it is propelled through a "blast hose".
- (5). Finally, the dry ice is projected onto the surfaces to be cleaned using a blast gun equipped with a supersonic speed spray nozzle.
Benefits of Cryogenic Cleaning
Unrivaled Efficiency
Dry ice blasting offers superior cleaning efficiency, removing contaminants without leaving residues.
Environmental Friendliness
This process uses dry ice, a non-toxic and environmentally friendly material, thereby reducing the ecological footprint.
Non-Abrasive
Dry ice blasting is non-abrasive, preserving delicate surfaces while ensuring deep cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the answers to the most common questions about dry ice blasting.
It is an industrial stripping and cleaning process using the projection of dry ice (solid CO2 at -78.5°C). Unlike traditional methods, it eliminates pollutants without solvents and without abrasion, thanks to a combination of thermal shock and kinetic energy.
Its major advantages are its non-abrasive nature, its ecological character (zero chemicals), and the complete absence of secondary waste. It allows equipment to be cleaned directly on-site, without disassembly or drying, offering immediate productivity gains.
Yes, it is one of the most respectful processes. Being non-abrasive, it does not scratch metals and does not damage electrical components. For very soft materials, we simply adjust the blast pressure to guarantee total safety.
The process is based on three physical phenomena: thermal shock (weakens the dirt), kinetic energy (detaches the pollution), and sublimation (gaseous CO2 "lifts" the dirt from the inside by increasing its volume).
Applications are vast: food processing (grease), automotive (foundry molds), electronics (live cabinets), plastics processing, and post-disaster restoration.
The Return on Investment (ROI) calculation is very favorable. The savings achieved from reduced production downtime and the absence of waste treatment costs (sand, soiled water) largely offset the operating cost.