What is the size and type of sand used for blasting machine?

There is a range of types and sizes of sand used for blasting machines. Each type is specific for the job, the outcome you need after the process has been done, and the material being blasted. The most used sand for blasting machines is white silica sand. Other types are also used such as glass beads, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and even crushed walnut seeds. Whatever the type of sand is used, there are the hazards of using them too which need to be taken into account and prevented.

As we have seen before the most commonly used sand for blasting machines is silica sand. This is because of its unique properties that are it isavailable in good quality and is durable. With that, it is inexpensive and can be easily found. It has a unique property that it can be reused to a certain extent, unlike other sands. This property of silica sand is due to the durable material present inside it that is quartz which allows for effective sandblasting to take place. Along with some advantages, there is also a drawback to using silica sand that is it creates a lot of dust in the environment that is dangerous for the workers and nearby areas. Almost any type of sand can be used for blasting machines. Sands also contain other materials other than silica that make them suitable for specific materials to be blasted. Some sands also contain limestone that can be found around the coastline. Some contain gypsum and obsidian too. The main concept of sand to be used in the blasting machine is that the darker the sand is the harder and effective it is for sand blasting.

Another common type of sand to be used in sandblasting is beach sand. One drawback of using this sand is if it’s found from the sea side it will contain salt deposits. As the process of sandblasting involves the sand being blasted at high speeds, it will embed the salt in the material that is being blasted. This will result in faster corrosion and rust development on metal.

These were the common types of sand used for blasting machines. There are other types too that include:

• Garnet:

It is a well-known and useful material that is found in various sizes and shapes. It is good enough to be used in surface cleaning, preparation, and rust removal.

• Aluminum oxide:

It is a harder and coarser material than garnet and is best suitable for harder surfaces like heavy-duty applications. Mostly used to remove paint and weld splatter.

• Glass beads:

For delicate surfaces, it is better to use glass beads as they create a smoother surface.

• Steel-grit:

It is just like sand but is far more reusable and durable than sand. It is also used in heavy-duty applications such as cleaning and peening.

• Soda ash:

It is a gentler abrasive that is preferably used to clean softer metals and delicate surfaces and to create a smoother surface.

As far as the type of abrasive or sand is concerned for sandblasting, the size of the sand is important too. You must know the correct size of abrasive to achieve the desired result. Different grit sizes are specific for each type of sandblasting. The size of the sand means the size of particles present in it which is also known as “grit”. The size of particles determines the coarseness of the abrasive material used. That is in other words the quality of grit will determine the type of finish you will receive after blasting. The finer the grit, the smoother the finish while the coarser the grit, the rougher the finish. The grit is also referred to as “mesh size” in many places. It is stated as a 30/60 or 80 mesh size. Now what does this mean? These numbers represent the physical size of the abrasive particles present in an inch. 30 meshes represent that there are 30 particles in a line in an inch.So same is the case with 80 meshes which represents that 80 abrasive particles are present in a line within an inch. The number and size are inversely proportional to each other which means the larger the number the smaller the abrasive particle and vice versa. If it represents 30/60, that means you have the size of abrasive particles between the range of 30 and 60 mesh. The size of the abrasive particle has a prominent impact on the result of blasting like the type of abrasive has. Large particles create large profiles but too much large profile wastes the paint. You will choose the mesh size according to the nature of the material that is blasted and the expected outcome you want.

How you can choose the perfect size for your desired outcome. Here is the list of sizes of sand and the purpose of using them:

• For fine cleaning and smooth finishing: use a finer mesh size  (e.g. 180 mesh or higher)
• For general cleaning and removing of rust: use a medium-mesh size (e.g. 80 to 120 mesh)
• For heavy-dutycleaning and stripping: for heavy work, it is ideal to use a coarser mesh size (e.g. 30 to 60 mesh size)

• Final thought:

As we can see both the type and size of sand are important in sandblasting to achieve your desired results. You cannot compromise on any factor. There are varieties of types and sizes of abrasive (sand) and it can be chosen on the circumstances of knowing your needs of blasting. What is the purpose of your blasting will determine the size and type of the sand for the blasting machine. The material to be blasted is another important factor to be considered along with the purpose of blasting. You must do proper research on the types and sizes of sand before starting the blasting process. After knowing the details of the abrasive that is best for your project you must look at the budget you have that can easily complete the project successfully. After careful consideration of materials and budget don’t forget to keep the environmental concerns in your mind. Some types of sand are dangerous to both workers and the environment while others are safe. So choose wisely. It’s ideal to deal with professionals who can tell you about the best material and budget for your project keeping environmental safety in mind.