Cleaning & De-Coating in One Step Standard abrasive blasting is a dirty process, often loading and even embedding the surface with contaminants (grease, oil, tar & abrasive particles) in the process of removing the coating. Recycled abrasives compound this problem by loading increasing amounts of contaminants into the substrate. ArmexTM blast media effectively de-coats and cleans the substrate in one step; producing a level of surface cleanliness not seen with most processes. The media is not reusable thus eliminating the issue of blasting with re-used media. Coating adhesion relies heavily on surface cleanliness and a surface profile has been used to offset this lack of cleanliness. Unique Cutting Action ArmexTM blast media offers the unique properties of sodium bicarbonate, the primary ingredient. The softness (Mohs Hardness = 2.4) and friable nature of this crystal produces a unique cutting action with little or no effect on most substrates. For example, thick coatings can be removed from glass without any etching effect. With proper care, delicate substrates can be cleaned without damage. No Pre-Cleaning Required For projects where the coating is covered with grease, carbon, salt or other contaminants, the more traditional blasting methods require the coating to be fully cleaned before blasting. This is required so that the contaminants on the surface of the coating not be driven through the coating and into the surface of the substrate, causing future coating failure. No Need To Re-Profile Steel Standard grades of ArmexTM media (without any hard aggregates) do not profile steel. ArmexTM has a Profile grade of baking soda that imparts a profile on steel. When an operator removes a coating from a metal surface, he or she exposes the existing anchor pattern under the coating. Unless corrosion has occurred, there is no reason to re-profile the surface. Reduced Solid Waste ArmexTM blast media can be dissolved in fresh water. By dissolving the media and filtering out the contaminants the solution can generally be discharged to POTW treatment systems or open waterways, with proper discharge permits. Waste volume is generally reduced to less than 5% of the original waste volume. With increasing landfill costs and liabilities, this advantage becomes more important every day. Natural Rust Inhibitor As long as ArmexTM is on a ferrous metal surface, rust will not form. For rust to form, free moisture and an acidic condition must exist. In most cases, free moisture combines with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form carbonic acid. This acid releases a free metal (ferrous) ion which combines with oxygen (oxidizes) to form rust. ArmexTM buffers acids, prevents the release of free metal ions and prevents rust. Reduced Clean-Up Costs ArmexTM blast media performs roughly the same level of work (somewhat slower) as sand blasting while producing 1/5 to 1/7 of the total waste volume. Although media costs per square foot are higher, site clean-up and residue disposal are significantly lower. The net balance is that total cost per square foot are about the same for both approaches. Benefits In Waste Disposal In most non-hazardous applications, the residue from blasting with ArmexTM can be rinsed into sanitary drains or sewers which flush the residue to a water treatment facility, greatly reducing the clean-up time. Sodium bicarbonate is actually beneficial to waste water treatment systems. For industrial treatment systems, where chemical neutralization is a major cost in water treatment, ArmexTM blast media can often save significant dollars in waste treatment. Increased Worker Safety The safety of sodium bicarbonate to workers is well understood, since it has been in use for some 160 years. The bicarbonate buffer system is the major extracellular buffer in the human body, thus sodium bicarbonate is part of the body's normal chemistry. Sodium bicarbonate and thus, ArmexTM is not toxic via ingestion, inhalation or dermal contact, nor is it a skin or eye irritant as defined by EPA and OSHA. Any risk to workers is primarily the containment or coating removed during the blasting operation.

Removes Odors The same odor absorbing effect seen in the refrigerator at home is present when blasting with ArmexTM media. It not only removes the contaminants, it also reduces the unfriendly odors. Replaces Dangerous Solvents ArmexTM Hydroflex formula is an excellent de-greasing media that eliminates the use of solvents in most cleaning processes. Hydroflex does not "dissolve" or "emulsify" grease and oils, it simply coats them causing the grease or oil to release from the surface. It also eliminates the translocation of oil and grease. Does Not Produce Sparks Standard grades of ArmexTM blast media (without hard aggregate) will not produce thermal sparks and are suitable for use in explosion proof areas; including refineries, chemical plants and grain elevators as long as proper grounding techniques are used to prevent a static charge build up. Improved Crack Detection When cleaning metal surfaces for crack detection, standard abrasive blasting tends to peen the crack closed or pack the crack with abrasive, making crack detection more difficult. ArmexTM media actually cleans out the crack, leaving it exposed and easy to see. No Residue Problems In Small Passageways Standard grades of ArmexTM blast media (without hard aggregate) are 100% water soluble. They can be used to clean critical engine components including those with small passageways. Once cleaned, the ArmexTM residue can be thoroughly rinsed off by dissolving in water. Traditional blast media are not water soluble and if left after cleaning, can pack into small passageways and possibly damage an engine while on operation. Reduce Surface Acids As a strong buffer for acids and alkalis, ArmexTM eliminates acidic conditions on the surface of the substrate. For conditions with high acid levels, acid rain or boiler fly ash, blasting with ArmexTM will reduce coating failures. SSPC-NACE Standards ArmexTM will attain a level of clean that will meet the standards of both NACE and SSPC. NACE 1 (SP-5)   White Metal Blast Cleaning NACE 2 (SP-10) Near-White Blast Cleaning NACE 3 (SP-6)   Commercial Blast Cleaning NACE 4 (SP-7)   Brush-Off Blast Cleaning Hardness Scale ArmexTM has a hardness of 2.4 on Mohs' scale of Hardness. The softness of this media means that it can be used to remove most coatings without harming the substrate. Benefits Of Process Environmentally Sensible Non-Hazardous to Workers Non-Toxic Media Water Soluble Media Low Blasting Pressure Does Not Generate Explosive Dust No Threat Of Silicosis Where Used Industrial Maintenance Chemical & Petro-Chemical Oil & Gas Production Pulp & Paper Food & Beverage Processing Textile Mills Foundries & Steel Production Printing Industry Electrical Utilities Mining Aviation, Military & Commercial OEM's, Automotive, Electronic Marine Transportation, Transit, Highway. Fire - Building Restoration

"The Sensible Approach To Substrate Restoration"

Armex^TM is a registered trademark of Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ 08543-5297. Other product lines used by Blaster Master also trademarks of Church and Dwight include - Maintenance Formula with SupraKleen, Maintenance Formula XL with SupraKleen, Profile Formula XL with SupraKleen, Profile Formula XL2 with SupraKleen, Profile Formula XL2+ with SupraKleen, Profile Formula XL 3 with SupraKleen, Profile Turbine Formula with SupraKleen, Profile Turbine Formula 4000