Available Literature:

Blast Media Characteristics Comparison

Material
Mesh
Size
Shape
Density
lbs/ft3
Mohs
Friability
Init.
Cost
No. of
Cycles
Per use
Cost
Source
Typical
Applications
Sil. Sand•
6-270
100
5.0-6.0
high
low
 1 med. nat. Outdoor blast cleaning
Min. Slag
8-80
85-112
7.0-7.5
high
med.
 1-2 med. b-p Outdoor blast cleaning
Garnet
8-300
130-145
7.0
med.
med.
 2-2.5 med. nat. Cleaning, finishing,
deburring, etching
Steel Grit
10-325
230
8.0
low
high
 200+ med. mfd. Removing heavy scale
Steel Shot
8-200
280
8.0
–
high
 200+ low mfd. Cleaning, peening
Al. Oxide
12-325
125
9.0
med.
high
 6-8 med. mfd. Cleaning, finishing,
deburring, etching
Silicon Carbide
12-325
110
9.5
med.
high
 5-6 med. mfd. Surface preparation on
extremely hard substrates
Glass Bead
10-400
85-90
5.5-6.0
med.
med.
 8-10 low mfd. Cleaning, finishing
Plastic
12-80
45-60
3.0-4.0
low/med.
high
 8-10 med. mfd. Paint stripping,
deflashing, cleaning
Bicarbonate of Soda
60-170
60
2.5
high
high
 1 high mfd. Cleaning, paint removal
Wheat Starch
12-80
45
2.0
med.
med.
 12-15 high mfd. Paint, adhesive removal;
composites
XL­Corn Hybrid Polymer
16-60
45
3.0
low
high
 14-17 med. mfd. Composite paint removal,
adhesive deflash
Corn Cob
8-40
35-45
2.0-4.5
med.
low
 4-5 low b-p Removing paint from
delicate surfaces

=Angular = Spherical     nat.=Natural     b-p=By-product     mfd.=Manufactured

•Consult OSHA regulations before using silica sand as a blast abrasive.