How nozzle size & shape impact dry ice cleaning?

Dry ice blasting is deceptively simple—accelerate CO₂ pellets with compressed air and strike a surface—but the nozzle quietly determines most of what happens next: impact energy, coverage, air/ice consumption, noise, and even substrate risk. Choosing the right nozzle (size + shape) can cut cleaning time in half or prevent damage on delicate assets.

Nozzle size controls mass flow, velocity potential, and resource demand; shape controls how that energy is distributed and where it can reach.

Size: Diameter, Length, and Flow

Larger orifice → higher mass flow of both air and pellets. Greater impact energy, faster removal on heavy coatings, carbonized residues, rust, and paint, but needs high CFM; more dry ice consumption.
Smaller orifice → lower flow and gentler strike. Precision, safer for sensitive substrates (electronics, optics, soft aluminum tools, food-contact polymers); compatible with smaller compressors, but slower on heavy soils,

Longer nozzles provide more acceleration time, increasing pellet exit velocity. Best for high-aggression work.
Shorter nozzles prioritize maneuverability and line-of-sight access; they reduce velocity slightly but shine in cramped geometries.

Round nozzles: Narrow, concentrated beam. Good for stubborn contaminants, edges, welds, small features. Maximum localized impact; slow area coverage.

Flat nozzles: Wide, thin sheet (e.g., 15°–60°). Good for large panels, floors, molds with broad faces, soot removal on masonry. Faster coverage with lower point loading.

Angled/Curved nozzles: Redirected jet for reach. Good for undercuts, behind guards, inside cavities, ribbed tooling. Access over raw power; often paired with smaller orifices.

Compressor & Hose Considerations

CFM is king. A “bigger” nozzle without the air to feed it underperforms. Check delivered CFM at the nozzle after hose losses.
Hose length and ID matter. Long, narrow hoses introduce pressure drop and turbulence that fracture pellets and reduce velocity. Match hose ID to the nozzle and keep runs as short/straight as practical.
Moisture management. Water in air lines increases agglomeration and clogs, especially with small or fan nozzles. Use effective drying (refrigerated or desiccant) and drains.