Blasting sand

Blasting sand, also known as grit or abrasive, is an abrasive material used in blasting technology to clean, remove rust, paint or solidify surfaces. It typically consists of fine sand extracted from natural sources such as river beds, coastal regions or quarries.

Blasting sand is used in various industries, including metalworking, shipbuilding, construction, automotive and more. The abrasive nature of blasting sand makes it possible to remove stubborn contaminants, rust, paint or coatings from surfaces by shooting the material under high pressure onto the surface to be treated.

An important aspect of using blasting sand is selecting the correct grit to suit the specific requirements of the application. The grain size can vary depending on the surface to be treated and the desired result. Finer grits are suitable for delicate surfaces, for example, while coarser grits are more effective at removing heavy contaminants.

Although blasting sand was widely used in the past, its use has declined due to environmental concerns and health risks. Fine sand dust can cause respiratory irritation and is often composed of silica sand, which can cause serious lung disease with prolonged exposure. In addition, the use of blasting sand can lead to environmental pollution through the release of dust and contamination of water sources.

Due to these concerns, alternative abrasives such as glass beads, steel shot, aluminum oxide and plastic granules have become increasingly popular as they are less harmful to health and more environmentally friendly.

In some regions and countries, laws and regulations have already been passed restricting or banning the use of blasting sand in certain applications. Instead, more environmentally friendly blasting abrasives are preferred to protect the health of workers and reduce the impact on the environment.