cleaned iron gate

A VERSATILE CLEANING SOLUTION

From industrial parts to vintage automobiles to weather-worn fencing and many other surfaces, corrosion and rust can take hold and cover gleaming finishes with orange-brown, green, or blue residue that is not only unsightly, but can prevent proper operation of moving parts. Thankfully, with dry ice blasting services, removal of corrosion and rust is an easy and mess-free process with versatility that can be applied to a wide variety of applications.

ARE CORROSION AND RUST THE SAME THING?

We often used the terms interchangeably, and throughout the industry you’ll see products labeled as anti-corrosion or anti-rust coatings, but in fact, the two are not the same. 

  • Corrosion refers to the process in which oxidation is caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions and can occur on metals, ceramics, polymers and wood.
  • Rusting is a type of corrosion that occurs when iron or iron alloys have been exposed to air and moisture and undergoes oxidation. 

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

When using dry ice for removal of corrosion and rust, it’s important to understand what type of substrate is being affected. Dry ice blasting equipment features an adjustable stream of dry ice pellets that can be regulated according to the density of the underlying material. This allows dry ice to effectively remove rust and corrosion from the surface of many materials without causing a change to the item’s surface profile. 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CORROSION DOES NOT COME OFF?

Dry ice blasting will initially remove any loosely adhered rust or corrosive finishes, but depending on the level of corrosion and the age of the material, sometimes it is not enough to fully restore the finish to a level that is ready to receive a new surface coating. If adjusting the pressure of the dry ice stream to a higher velocity is not effective at corrosion removal, it is possible to add an abrasive media into the dry ice that remains gentle enough to be used in a number of applications.

This inclusion of recycled glass beads or garnet into the dry ice boosts the aggressive properties and offers increased versatility for the removal of corrosion and rust. This method is still superior to traditional sandblasting or bead blasting because it keeps water out of the process, remaining a dry removal method and eliminating the need for extensive drying time or containment and cleanup procedures before moving on to recoating the part or resuming normal equipment operation. This can also remove deeply pitted corrosion that has resulted in an uneven surface finish. Using glass beads or garnet abrasives, it is then possible to achieve surface profiles that are consistent, and ready to accept anti-rust or anti-corrosion coatings, paint, and other finishes. 

WHAT TYPES OF APPLICATIONS BENEFIT FROM DRY ICE TO REMOVE RUST AND CORROSION?

Any product that can be affected by rust and corrosion can benefit from dry ice as a cleaning and restoration method. Most commonly, industrial machinery, oil and gas production equipment, and the automotive restoration process all feature highly detailed parts that can be difficult to clean with more traditional cleaning methods. Additionally, the dry ice stream can easily access nooks and crannies and can be used without having to remove equipment from the production line, saving both time and money during the cleaning process.

At General Abrasives, we have over 30 years of experience and knowledge providing dry ice blasting services for projects of all sizes. We provide an environmentally responsible solution that keeps employees safe by reducing harmful chemical use and tedious manual cleaning and keeps the work area free of secondary waste like dust and runoff.