DOD Transformation

Workers don't need to wear a hazardous material suit to operate the blaster — the only extra equipment needed is aface shield, to protect against sealant residue particles, thick gloves for handling the dry ice and hearing protection.Not much larger than a grain of rice, the dry ice pellets are formed from frozen carbon dioxide. Frozen at minus 109.3 degrees, the dry ice causes material like the sealant to shrink and lose adhesion from the sub-surface, according to the Cold Jet Web site.At the same time, the temperature of the sub-surface causes the dry ice to convert back into carbon dioxide gas or "sublimate." As the dry ice pellets sublimate, only the removed material remains.With the blast pressure adjusted to 3.5 pounds per minute, the dry ice pellets remove only the sealant and don't affect the paint, Long said.

Ice Blaster Saves Time, Money, Manpower - U.S. Department of Defense Transformation News Story

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