Garnet Blasting Media
Garnet blasting media is a hard, natural mineral abrasive that cuts fast, produces little dust and leaves a clean, uniform anchor profile on steel. It contains no free silica, which makes it a safer alternative to silica sand for open blasting. We supply graded almandine garnet for blasting contractors, fabricators, shipyards and waterjet cutting.
Garnet blasting grades
| Grade | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 30/60 mesh | Heavy coatings, mill scale and rust removal; deeper profile |
| 80 mesh | General surface preparation and waterjet cutting |
| 120 mesh | Fine finishing and thin-section waterjet cutting |
Typical specification
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Almandine garnet |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7.5 – 8 |
| Specific gravity | 3.9 – 4.1 |
| Grain shape | Sub-angular |
| Free silica | Less than 1% |
| Colour | Reddish-pink |
Garnet compared with other blasting media
| Media | Dust | Recyclable | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garnet | Low | Yes, several cycles | Clean profile, enclosed and open blasting, waterjet |
| Blastrite Platinum grit | Low to medium | Limited | Fast, cost-effective open blasting |
| Silica sand | High | No | Not recommended for open blasting due to silica dust risk |
Frequently asked questions
Can garnet blasting media be reused?
Yes. In blast rooms with recovery systems, garnet is commonly recycled several times before it breaks down too far.
Is garnet suitable for waterjet cutting?
Yes. 80 mesh is the standard waterjet grade; 120 mesh is used for finer cuts.
Can I use blasting garnet in a water filter?
No. Use filter-grade garnet, which is washed and tightly graded for filtration.
Request a garnet blasting media quote or see all blasting abrasives.