Because of the unique cutting properties of the abrasive media used, soda blasting it requires very little preparation. It will not harm rubber or glass so you do not need to mask these areas like you would have to with sandblasting. In the process of soda blasting high pressure is used to propel a special brand of sodium bicarbonate onto the surface that requires repair, stripping or repainting.
In some cases where extra penetration is required micro blasting may be employed. As you can see in the video below and old Car is completely stripped down to the bare metal using soda blasting as the stripping process. To control the speed of the bicarbonate soda coming out of the airline the operator can adjust the pressure of the air compressor, which will increase the PSI. In many industrial cases soda blasting is preferred over sandblasting. This is because sand is highly abrasive, brutal on some surfaces such as glass where it can become pitted from sandblasting. Rubber surfaces can be completely disintegrated from sandblasting. When accuracy and delicacy are required soda blasting is the preferred method.
What is Soda Blasting Used For?
SodaBlasting is safe and there is No need to mask glass or rubber. [2] T hen SodaBlasting is used as the surface preparation method in removing old paint and rust in preparation of a protective coating, other phenomenon occur that are unique to the process. SodaBlasting will remove electrolytes, such as acids and chlorides, which is referred to as a passivity process to the metal[3]
To put it in simple terms, when soda blasting occurs tiny explosions take place, billions of tiny explosions. This is what makes Soda blasting incredibly effective.
About Blasting
Soda blasting is completely nontoxic; FDA approved, environmentally friendly, contains nonhazardous waste, and is nonflammable. When the statue of liberty required repairs and refinishing soda blasting was used. This statue is made of copper with a coating that is approximately 1/8in. thick. So to blasting will not harm the surface or degrade any of the properties like sandblasting would. In a nutshell, so to blasting does the same or better work than sandblasting without harming surfaces or the environment. It will easily remove paint, coatings, gaskets, oil, carbon, and Grease without distorting the original surface.
Soda Blasting v.s Sand Blasting
Many consider soda blasting the same as sandblasting. But the truth is so to blasting has several distinct advantages over sandblasting. It is fast, completely water soluble and has no negative environmental impact. It can be used for cleaning holding tanks such as transportation tanks or tanks in gas stations. Industrial machines with high concentrations of oil, grease and chemicals are cleaned and rapidly with the application of soda blasting. This method of industrial power cleaning is also advantageous when machines need to be cleaned on the fly. Every day it is being used in more industrial and commercial applications.
One of the disadvantages of Sodablasting is the noise levels. Therefore it is recommended applications are performed in closed rooms, remote areas, or indoors. Operators of soda blasting systems should wear protective gear such as an airhead, blast helmet, double hearing protection, supplied respirator, air purification Filters, and full face protection. When applying soda it is also recommended for the operator to wear protective clothing.
Increased Productivity
Increasingly Soda blasting is becoming more popular in industries where downtime is incredibly costly. An example is a printing factory where machines are running 24/7. With a skilled operator printing machines and other industrial machines can be cleaned while still in operation. That is one of the distinct advantages soda blasting has over other cleaning methods. It is gentle and can be applied while machines are still in production yet effective enough to get the job done quickly. It is a simple task to remove heavy Grease stains, layers of oil, carbon, corrosion on surfaces, oxidized metal and will leave the surface in a virgin state.
Blasting Process
The process is gentle enough to remove the coating without harming the substrate. Virtually any coating can be removed from most any surface.[87]
Soda Blasting is a process that can strip almost any surface in an efficient and safe manner. Although it is similar to traditional sand blasting, it has the significant advantage of cleaning the surface without causing harm to the substrate or the environment.[88]
If the blister breaks while immersed, it allows for greater water intrusion into the fiberglass laminate, and perpetrates the blistering process to deeper levels. [89]
Soda Blasting Vs. Sanding
Sand is a hard, heavy material that can wreak havoc on any substrate. It will pit glass, tear up rubber & plastic and etch metal.[92]
Although it is similar to traditional sand blasting, it has the significant advantage of cleaning the surface without causing harm to the substrate or the environment. Soda Blasting easily removes carbon, grease, oils, gasket material, surface corrosion, paint and coatings from a variety of alloys, plastics and composites without substrate damage or distortion.[93]
Although it is similar to traditional sandblasting, it has the significant advantage of cleaning the surface without causing harm to the substrate or the environment. Soda Blasting easily removes paint, coatings, carbon, grease, oils, gasket material and surface corrosion from a variety of metals, alloys, plastics and composites without substrate damage or distortion.[94]
Removing Anything
Virtually any contaminant can be removed from any surface in most settings, results never before possible with traditional cleaning and coating removal methods, such as sand blasting and chemical solvents . [97]
Soda Blasting can be utilized to clean and remove most coatings from just about any surface. The beauty of soda blasting is that it uses smaller cleaning particles that fracture upon application.[98]
