Garnet sand is an abrasive with high hardness and chemical stability, obtained from almandine-based garnet, a natural silicate mineral. It stands out as an environmentally friendly and effective alternative in industrial applications such as blasting and waterjet cutting. Because it contains no silica and generates little dust, it is also preferred from an occupational health standpoint.
Technical specifications
- Chemical composition
- Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ (almandine type)
- Hardness
- 7.5 – 8.0 on the Mohs scale
- Density
- 3.9 – 4.2 g/cm³
- Colour
- Shades of red, dark red or brown
- Melting point
- Approx. 1250 °C
- Solubility
- Insoluble in water
Mesh sizes and applications
| Mesh size | Size range (mm) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 20/40 | 0.42 – 0.85 | Ship and heavy industry surface cleaning |
| 30/60 | 0.25 – 0.60 | General blasting and floor preparation |
| 80 | 0.18 – 0.30 | Precision surface treatment |
| 120 | 0.10 – 0.18 | Waterjet cutting |
Blasting applications
- Removal of rust, paint and dirt from surfaces
- External surface preparation of ship hulls and tanks
- Cleaning of pipes and equipment in petrochemical plants
- Concrete and floor preparation
- Decorative processing of glass and ceramic surfaces
- Precision cutting in waterjet systems
Advantages
- Not harmful to health because it contains no silica
- Provides a clean and safe working environment with low dust generation
- Offers effective cleaning with high abrasive power
- A natural and environmentally friendly material
- Being reusable provides a cost advantage
- Provides high precision and efficiency in waterjet cutting
Garnet sand is an ideal abrasive for blasting and cutting in terms of high performance, environmental sustainability and occupational safety. Thanks to its wide range of applications and natural structure, it is used with confidence in many sectors, from industrial cleaning to precision cutting.
