What exactly is sodablasting?

 

Sodablasting is a process in which sodium bicarbonate is applied against a surface using compressed air. It is a very mild form of abrasive blasting, much milder than sandblasting.

 

Soda blasting is an environmentally friendlier way of removing paint, dirt, coatings and other surface contaminants that does not cause damage to the surfaces being cleaned. 

 

The action of the sodium bicarbonate used, does not cause heat buildup, spars, or abrasions to the substrata. Sodium bicarbonate is water-soluble and in most cases, dependent on your local laws, can be disposed of through conventional drainage systems.

How does soda-blasting work and what are the advantages over sand blasting?

 

The sodium bicarbonate used in the blasting process is a larger particle than baking soda used in the food industry, although it is the same purity, The particles are propelled by compressed air through specialized blasting machines.

 

Air pressures can vary from as low as 20 psi on the soft based to 120 psi or more on hard surfaces. Water is used as either a dust suppressant (dustless wet blasting), or the propellant for some decontamination and paint removal. For surfaces that are softer, such as wood, water reduces the cutting action by as much as 20 to 30 percent.

 

Unlike abrasive sand blasting, or using sand blast cabinets, sodium bicarbonate particles remove contaminants by the energy released when the particles explode as they come in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Silica sand on the other hand, removes the material by wearing it away. This is also the result when the sand hits the metal surface, the metal is worn away and the surface is damaged.

 

The only material that needs to be disposed of is the contaminant removed, which can be separated by dissolving the blast media in water, and using a filter or centrifuge to separate the contaminant from the solution.