We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Sandblasting Sand?

By Parker Brown
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 30,237
Share

There are many different types of sandblasting sand used for sandblasting applications, and their use varies entirely with the job being performed and the material being sandblasted. The most commonly used type of sandblasting sand is white silica sand. Other materials, such as glass beads, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and even crushed walnut seeds, are also used for sandblasting applications. Regardless of the material used, however, there are different health hazards associated with each type of sand which must be taken into account during the decision process.

The most commonly used type of sandblasting sand is silica sand. Silica sand is used primarily because it is not only of good quality and durability, but is also usually inexpensive and easily found. Along with those advantages, silica sand can also be reused to a certain extent, unlike some other materials. The primary ingredient in silica sand is quartz, a durable crystal that allows for effective sandblasting. One of the biggest downsides and health hazards of silica sand is that it can create large amounts of dust, which can be harmful when inhaled.

Nearly any type of sand can be used for sandblasting. Sand, however, can consist of other materials outside of silica, which can make certain types of sand exclusive to certain materials. Sands found in tropical regions or along the coastline are generally composed of limestone. Sand consisting of gypsum and obsidian can also be found. A general rule for sandblasting sand is the darker the color, the harder and more effective the sand is.

Beach sand can be used as sandblasting sand. The only problem with using beach sand is that when its from a seaside environment, it will contain salt deposits. Since sand is blasted at incredibly high speeds, sand with salt deposits will often embed salt in the material being blasted. This is very undesirable, especially when sandblasting metals, as it will make metal far more prone to rust and corrosion.

Sandblasting sand is rated by its coarseness, which is measured in particle size and referred to as the "grit." The resulting finish after sandblasting is determined by the grit, with finer grits leaving smoother finishes and coarser grits leaving rough finishes. Other factors besides particle size affect sandblasting and cutting processes, such as the shape of the sand.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-sandblasting-sand.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.