How does soda-blasting work and what are the advantages over sand blasting?
A. The sodium bicarbonate used in the blasting process is a larger particle than the baking soda used in the food industry, although it is the same purity. The particles are propelled by compressed air through specialized blasting machines. The particles are propelled by compressed air through specialized blasting machines. Air pressures can be varied from as low as 20 psi on soft bases to 120 psi or more on hard surfaces. Water is used as either a dust suppressant or the propellant for some decontamination and paint removal.For surfaces that are somewhat softer, such as wood, water reduces the cutting action by as much as 20 to 30 percent. Unlike abrasive sand blasting, sodium bicarbonate particles remove contaminants by the energy released when the particles explodes 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 results when the sand hits the metal surface, the metal is worn away and th
