What Is Soda Blasting?

Sodablasting is a non-destructive method for many applications in cleaning, paint & varnish stripping, automotive restoration, industrial equipment maintenance, rust removal, graffiti removal, molecular steel passivationagainst rust, oil removal by saponification and translocation, masonry cleaning and restoration, soot remediation, boat hull cleaning and for food processing facilities and equipment and teeth cleaning at the dental office.

When the particles ‘explode’ (crush) on contact with the surface the non-abrasive action allows it to lift any contaminate off the surface. – to –

The particles ‘explode’ (crush) just before any contact is made due to fusion with the surface and the non-abrasive action allows it to lift any contaminate off the surface.

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How it works

When Soda is applied, surfaces such as, aluminium, stainless steel, brick, stone, glass, fibreglass, wood, plastics, bearings, seals, hydraulic cylinders and many more can be cleaned, stripped and safely with no-abrasion or harm to the surface substrate.

Soda blasting also breaks down hydrocarbons through a process called, saponification which makes it highly suitable for cleaning equipment covered in fatty foods or engine parts and when your finished just rinse off and the water-soluble soda disappears.

The non-flammable properties of sodium bicarbonate allow it to be used for cleaning in the petroleum industry where other methods cannot be used. Likewise, its non-toxic properties mean that it can be used in food-processing and similar areas.

Sodablasting can be used for cleaning timber, wood, oak beams, oak floors, doors, stairs & bannisters, cars, boat hulls, masonry, and food processing equipment. Sodablasting can also be used to remove graffiti and to clean structural steel. Sodablasting is very effective for mold and fire/smoke damage cleanup as it cleans and deodorizes.

Why No Rust or Damage?

Just like the surface of the Statue of Liberty, this non abrasive action allows SodaBlasters to be used on surfaces that current popular abrasive media would damage. i.e.: aluminium, stainless steel, brick, stone, glass, fibreglass, wood, some plastics, seals, bearings, splines, radiator cores, transmission cases, and hydraulic cylinders. In some cases, using Soda Blasting dry, shutdown of electric motors and pumps is not necessary.

Sodablast better than sand and grit blasting?

Sodablast particles remove contaminants by the energy released when the particles ‘explode’ as they come in contact with the surface to be cleaned. This results in no damage to underlying substrates. By contrast, sand and grit blasting does.

Soda is the Best Choice

Ferrous metals that have been sand blasted will require immediate coating to prevent rusting. By contrast, metal that has been cleaned using Soda will rust at a much-reduced rate and can be coated several days after blasting rather than hours.

Sodablasting can be used for cleaning timber, wood, oak beams, oak floors, doors, stairs & bannisters, cars, boat hulls, masonry, and food processing equipment. Sodablasting can also be used to remove graffiti and to clean structural steel. Sodablasting is very effective for mold and fire/smoke damage cleanup as it cleans and deodorizes.

In some manufacturing processes it is necessary to create a specific surface profile. Soda will not create a surface profile as the metal will not be affected by the Soda process.

Why Soda?

Prior to soda, sand was the main blasting media. Sand blasting, however, is abrasive and erodes the substrate coatings, pitting glass, tearing rubber, plastic and etching metals.

Soda blasting can be used wet or dry to remove paint, corrosion, biological contaminants, oil, grease, carbon and many other coatings.

  • Sodium Bicarbonate is a non-hazardous food grade material that is 100% water soluble and environmentally safe.
  • Soda Blasting will eliminate the need of using toxic cleaning chemicals.
  • Soda Blasting will clean multi-layered surfaces to any level desired.
  • Soda Blasting may be used to clean while machines and processes are in operation.

Another major advantage of soda blasting is rust elimination. Soda does not break down the surface tension of metals, thus the problem of flash rusting is eliminated. Sodium bicarbonate can act as a rust inhibitor, which will leave a protective coating on the surface being cleaned. This allows for time to pass before the surface has to be painted. This is unlike a sand blasted surface that must be painted immediately. When the time arrives to paint the surface, the protective coating (soda) can be removed by an application of a vinegar/water mixture.

To fully appreciate the soft consistency of soda, the Mohs Scale is included below for your convenience.

 

Statue of Liberty

The soda-blasting process was developed in the late 1980s by a group of New York City engineers who were given the task of restoring the Statue of Liberty.

The two primary concerns from the onset of the project were the impact on the environment and not damaging the soft copper plating on the statue. They met these concerns by developing the soda-blasting process, using sodium bi-carbonate (baking soda) as the blast media. The success of the Statue of Liberty restoration brought a lot of attention to the soda-blasting process, and soon, many commercial enterprises were discovering new applications for the process.

As with any new technology, imperfections were noticed, and the need for other variations of blasting media grew. Dry ice and walnut shell blasting media are two of several media that we offer. We will help you determine which media is best to use for your project.

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For a free quotation and advice about everything to do with soda blasting, give a member of the team a call today to find out if it is the best method for you.

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