What is Baking Soda Blasting Media?

Baking soda blasting media is a type of abrasive material made from sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)—the same substance found in household baking soda, but specially formulated for industrial use. It’s commonly used with soda blasting both direct pressure dry cabinets, and portable direct pressure blasting equipment to remove things like graffiti.

Soda abrasive is rarely used in vapor blasting cabinets combining water and baking soda to super-saturated condition leaving some undissolved soda a solids abrasive.

Baking Soda Blasting Media (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Type: Soft, non-abrasive when used at pressure below maximum impact velocity
Hardness: ~2.5 on the Mohs scale

Best for:

• Delicate surfaces 
• Paint removal without damage to the substrate 
• Soluble in all fluids to eliminate abrasive contamination
• Food-safe applications (with FDA-approved soda)

Pros:

• Water-soluble = easy cleanup or even no cleanup
• Non-toxic and non-sparking
• Gentle on substrates

Cons:

• Not reusable (breaks down during blasting)
• Limited cutting power
• Not ideal for heavy-duty rust or scale removal

Find out why SOLUABLE equals SOLVABLE in this previous blog post. 

Soda Blasting Cabinets by Media Blast®

At Media Blast®, we manufacture a complete line of Dry Soda Blasting Cabinets appropriate for use with baking soda blasting media. Soda is a unique abrasive: it is soluble in all fluids and it does not change the physical condition of the parts when used properly.

Find out about the Blizzard Stage III, N-200 Stage II, and Cobra Soda Stage I soda blast cabinets here. 

To Sum It Up

The non-destructive nature of baking soda blasting media allows for effective removal of paint, grease, carbon, mold, and other contaminants without harming delicate substrates like aluminum, glass, or plastic. Additionally, baking soda is non-toxic, water-soluble, and biodegradable. This versatility makes soda blasting a valuable tool across automotive, industrial, and restoration industries.

To learn more about our line of baking soda blast media compatible cabinets, reach out to our team of experts today.