• nexAir Now
  • Using Dry Ice to Remove Rust

    Using dry ice to remove rust

    Will dry ice blasting remove rust?

    Dry ice blasting can safely and efficiently remove rust from metal, with near-perfect results to say the least. Rust can be a tricky substance to remove from surfaces and cause frustration with the workload and money spent to get the job done. However, dry ice blasting can actually replace some of those old traditional cleaning methods, reducing the time, effort, money and headache that goes into it. Dry ice blasting will easily remove rust that is loosely adhered to the metal but keep in mind, that it will not remove the rust and oxidation that is deeply adhered to the surface. Don’t let that stop you from trying this rust removal method out – the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages in this case.

    How Dry Ice Blasting Effectively Removes Rust

    Dry ice blasting is surprisingly a simple concept – all you need to get started is a dry ice blasting machine and the connections that go with it, an electrical source and the dry ice. From there, the operator will use the proper techniques to blast away the grime – and rust. Don’t worry, nexAir experts can use their KnowHow to guide you if you are apprehensive at first. Dry ice blasting is powerful, yet still gentle enough to not ruin the surface underneath the mess. This is because of its non-abrasive characteristics, making it an excellent cleaning solution for rust removal.

    The Many Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting

    Dry ice is environmentally friendly. Dry ice blasting is one of the more sustainable cleaning options due to it not releasing any harmful chemicals or toxins into the atmosphere.

    Dry ice blasting saves time and money. This method is super easy to learn and requires very little training. All you need is one operator to get the job done. The fast process boosts the overall productivity and allows you and your team to get more jobs done – making it more efficient than other traditional rust removal methods.

    Dry ice blasting is safe. With the proper gear and protection, dry ice blasting is a safe cleaning method. It only releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and is non-toxic and non-flammable.
    No waste or mess is created. Since dry ice blasting only uses one machine (that requires no disassembly) and a steady stream of dry ice, there is no mess left behind. This is one of the many reasons why people in the industry love it.
    It is non-abrasive. While the stream is powerful, it is not too powerful. Dry ice blasting will not cause damage to the surfaces that you are cleaning.

    As a leading provider of dry ice and dry ice blasting equipment, nexAir is your go-to source for advice and information when it comes to rust removal. Our experts are strong believers in dry ice blasting and will continue to use their industry KnowHow to help you Forge Forward. So, to answer the big question, yes – dry ice blasting is an excellent rust removal method and the results will leave you pleasantly surprised. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have in regards to rust removal – we’d love to help! Shop dry ice here.

    Industry Knowledge and Expertise

    Find out how nexAir KnowHow has impacted businesses all over the Southeast

    nexAir in the news

    Our expertise makes us more than a valuable partner, it makes us headlines

    nexAir is always open!

    Don't see what you're looking for?

    Everything we offer is a click away and it will arrive before you know it.

    Manufacturing downtime costs American companies billions annually. When production lines halt due to gas supply issues, every minute translates to lost revenue, missed deadlines, and frustrated customers. At nexAir, we've spent decades developing solutions that keep manufacturing operations running smoothly.

    The Hidden Costs of Gas-Related Downtime

    When manufacturers calculate downtime costs, they typically focus on labor and lost production. However, gas supply disruptions create cascading effects that multiply these losses:

    • Production rescheduling that disrupts carefully optimized sequences
    • Rush shipping fees to meet customer deadlines despite delays
    • Quality inconsistencies when processes restart after interruptions
    • Overtime costs to catch up after unplanned stoppages
    • Reputation damage when delivery commitments are missed

    For a typical mid-sized manufacturer, each hour of downtime represents $5,000-$10,000 in direct and indirect costs. Our analysis shows that gas-related issues cause 7-12% of total manufacturing downtime - a substantial opportunity for improvement.

    From Reactive to Proactive: The Supply Continuum

    Most facilities follow a predictable pattern in their gas management evolution:

    Stage 1: Reactive Management At this stage, facilities order gas when they notice supplies running low or, worse, after running out. Emergencies are common, and disruptions are accepted as "part of doing business." One automotive parts supplier operating this way experienced 14 production interruptions in a single quarter.

    Stage 2: Calendar-Based Management Facilities advance to scheduled deliveries based on estimated usage. While better than the reactive approach, this method still results in either excess inventory (tying up capital and space) or shortages when usage spikes occur. A plastics manufacturer following this model maintained 40% more cylinder inventory than necessary while still experiencing occasional stockouts.

    Stage 3: Consumption-Based Management Our telemetry systems monitor actual gas consumption, automatically triggering orders based on usage patterns rather than calendar dates. This approach virtually eliminates both stockouts and excess inventory. 

    Stage 4: Integrated Supply Management The most advanced approach connects gas management directly to production planning systems. Upcoming production requirements automatically adjust supply parameters, ensuring resources are precisely aligned with needs. A medical device manufacturer using this approach reports zero gas-related downtime for 27 consecutive months while operating with minimal inventory buffers.

    Our expert KnowHow™ in industrial gas applications allows us to guide customers through this evolution at a pace that makes sense for their operations.

    Customizing Solutions for Maximum Uptime

    Manufacturing environments vary dramatically in their gas requirements and operational constraints. We've developed flexible approaches that address these differences:

    • For high-volume, consistent usage operations, our bulk systems eliminate the cylinder handling that frequently causes supply disruptions. Bulk installations include telemetry monitoring and automated ordering to prevent outages.
    • For variable-demand environments, our microbulk delivery systems provide the benefits of bulk supply with lower volume commitments. These systems reduce handling requirements while maintaining the flexibility needed for changing production schedules.
    • For specialized applications requiring multiple gas types, our gas management programs combine cylinder tracking, usage monitoring, and automated replenishment. This comprehensive approach ensures that specialty gases are always available when needed, regardless of how infrequently they might be used.
    • For multi-site operations, our enterprise supply programs coordinate deliveries and optimize inventory across locations. By treating the organization's gas requirements holistically, we minimize both stockouts and excess inventory across the network.

    This consultative approach ensures that manufacturers receive solutions aligned with their specific operational patterns rather than generic "one-size-fits-all" systems.

    Beyond Traditional Supply: Integrated Services for Total Reliability

    Maximum uptime requires more than just reliable gas delivery. Our integrated services address the full spectrum of gas-related reliability factors:

    Equipment maintenance programs that prevent system failures before they impact production Technical gas specialists who resolve application issues that could otherwise cause production problems Safety training that prevents accidents leading to downtime events Emergency response capabilities that minimize impacts when unexpected events occur Supply chain redundancy that ensures continuity despite regional disruptions

    These services complement our supply solutions to form a comprehensive reliability strategy. By addressing both everyday operations and exceptional circumstances, we help manufacturers Forge Forward with confidence that gas-related disruptions won't derail their production targets.

    Measuring Success: The Results That Matter

    The ultimate measure of any downtime reduction strategy is its impact on production metrics. Our manufacturing customers consistently report significant improvements after implementing our comprehensive gas management solutions:

    Downtime reductions of 85-95% for gas-related issues Inventory cost decreases of 20-30% through optimized supply management Administrative time savings of 5-10 hours weekly through automated ordering and tracking Production schedule adherence improvements of 3-7% due to improved supply reliability

    These performance gains translate directly to bottom-line benefits that typically deliver ROI within months rather than years. More importantly, they allow manufacturers to confidently make delivery commitments, knowing that gas supply issues won't compromise their ability to perform.

    Don't let gas supply issues impact your productivity. Contact us today to explore our tailored solutions.

    Looking out for your future

    Get your career going on the right track with nexAir

    Industry Knowledge and Expertise

    Find out how nexAir KnowHow has impacted businesses all over the Southeast

    nexAir in the news

    Our expertise makes us more than a valuable partner, it makes us headlines

    nexAir is always open!