Garnet Blasting and Waterjet Abrasive Sand
A natural abrasive from the almandine garnet group, pink-red in color, free-flowing, used for blasting and waterjet cutting; non-corrosive, it offers a healthy alternative to silica sand in waterjet cutting and blasting applications.
- Hardness of 7-8 Mohs — one of the hardest natural abrasives after diamond and corundum
- Over 95% pure garnet (almandine) content — the minimum ratio guaranteed by SAYKAR
- Low chlorine content (<25 ppm) — suitable for waterjet and precision applications
- Natural, inert, non-radioactive, non-flammable material — pH 8.0-9.0
Product Description
Garnet is a natural mixture of almandine garnet mineral; the garnet sold by SAYKAR contains a minimum of 93-95% pure garnet, with the remainder being ilmenite/quartz and trace minerals. It is a pink-red, free-flowing sand; it is odorless and insoluble in water. Its hardness ranks just after diamond and oxide-class corundum (7-8 Mohs). It is used as an abrasive in waterjet cutting machines and, due to its non-corrosive nature, as an alternative to aluminum oxide in blasting applications.
Due to the environmental and health hazards of silica sand — heavily used in industry — garnet has begun to replace this material; it is also used in ship hull scraping and steel construction blasting operations. It is also widely used as a filtration medium in water filtration systems. Its melting point is approximately 1250°C.
Since it contains no metallic iron, it can be safely used for surface preparation of stainless steel, anti-magnetic steel, glass blasting and special alloys; fine-grained garnet can also be used to prepare special surfaces such as aluminum, turbine blades, and fiberglass. Since the product contains trace amounts (<1%) of crystalline silica, it is recommended to use a closed system and appropriate personal protective equipment (dust mask/hood) during dry blasting.
Usage by Industry:
| Industry Sector | Size Used | Reason for Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ship/Bridge/Petrochemical Blasting | 12/24 - 20/40 Mesh | Removing mill scale/epoxy/rust, reusability |
| Pre-Paint Industrial Surface Roughening | 12/24 - 20/40 Mesh | Removing mill scale/epoxy/rust, reusability |
| Water Filtration | 12/24 Mesh | Long life, reusability |
| Glass Industry | 30/60 - 120 Mesh | Long life, reusability |
| Waterjet Machines | 120 Mesh | Fast cutting, ability to cut all metal/non-metal materials |
| Aerospace Industry / Turbine Blades | 180 Mesh | Precision cleaning, non-corrosive, fast cleaning |
| Denim Sandblasting | 120 Mesh | Free of silica/iron, fast blasting, reusability |
Technical Specifications
| Specific Gravity | 3.98 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Average Bulk Density | 2.03-2.3 g/cm³ (depending on mesh size) |
| Hardness | 7-8 Mohs |
| Crystal System/Shape | Cubic, dodecahedron |
| Durability | High |
| Magnetism | Very slightly magnetic |
| Chemical Content | SiO2 36.10%, Fe2O3 30.78%, Al2O3 21.10%, MgO 7.20%, TiO2 2.94%, CaO 1.40% |
| Mineralogical Structure | Garnet (Almandine) min 93-95%, Quartz+Ilmenite max 1%, other trace minerals |
| Size Ranges | Garnet 80 Mesh and 120 Mesh (TDS available); 30/60, 20/40 and 12/24 Mesh |
| Melting Point | ~1250°C |
| pH / Chlorine Content | 8.0-9.0 / <25 ppm |
Note: Not radioactive, contains no heavy metals, does not retain moisture, contains no toxic/carcinogenic substances, and is non-flammable. Contains trace amounts (<1%) of crystalline silica; use of a dust mask is recommended during dry blasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is garnet sand preferred as an alternative to silica sand?
It is a natural, inert, non-radioactive mineral; it contains only trace amounts (below 1%) of crystalline silica and does not create a corrosive effect. This makes it much safer for worker health than silica sand.
Can garnet be used in waterjet cutting?
Yes — with its low chlorine content (below 25 ppm) and 7-8 Mohs hardness, it is suitable for waterjet cutting applications; SAYKAR provides TDS for its 80 Mesh and 120 Mesh sizes.
What is the purity ratio of SAYKAR's garnet?
It contains a minimum of 93-95% pure garnet (almandine); the remainder is ilmenite/quartz and trace minerals.
Test Your Production Parts in Our Showroom
Contact us to test the Garnet Blasting and Waterjet Abrasive Sand with your own samples and to get a price quote.