CO₂ snow blasting for plastic surfaces at the SKZ
The SKZ Plastics Center has put a modern CO₂ snow blasting system into operation. The system enables dry, residue-free cleaning of plastic surfaces and strengthens both current research projects and the range of services for industry.
The SKZ has expanded its technical infrastructure to include a JetWorker P16 CO₂ snow jet cleaning device from Acp Systems AG. The system is based on QuattroClean technology and will be used in future in research projects for surface cleaning and pre-treatment, in particular to investigate how recyclate surfaces can be specifically optimized using CO₂ snow. "With the new industrial-grade snow blasting system, we are opening up an environmentally friendly and highly effective process for our research work," explains David Herbig, Scientist in the Adhesive Bonding and Surface Technology Group at SKZ. "At the same time, we can provide our customers from the plastics industry with even better support for demanding cleaning tasks. Process parameters can be transferred directly to the industrial environment."
CO₂ snow jet cleans surfaces at the SKZ
The process combines compressed air and CO₂ snow and cleans surfaces dry, chemical-free and residue-free. Particles, fibers and filmic contaminants can be removed quickly and reproducibly without downstream drying or waste materials. The separate control of compressed air and CO₂ supply allows the cleaning intensity to be precisely adjusted to the respective material. "CO₂ snow blasting offers enormous potential for plastic applications in particular, as it protects the surfaces while ensuring a high level of process reliability," adds Peter Eggert, Sales & Technology expert at Acp. Thanks to integrated filter and extraction technology, the system also meets all requirements for safe and contamination-free operation. The system is now available for internal research projects as well as industrial cleaning and pre-treatment orders.