Many people search online for sandblasting sand, out of habit — but the correct term used in the industry today is blasting media (or blasting abrasive). Quartz sand hasn’t been used as a blasting abrasive for decades (over 40 years), precisely because of the health risks described below — although many people still call it generically “sand” out of habit.
Why quartz sand is no longer used for blasting
Quartz sand contains crystalline free silica. When propelled at high speed onto a surface, it produces fine dust which, when inhaled repeatedly, can cause silicosis — an irreversible lung disease that has long been known in the industry. For this reason, quartz sand has been phased out as a blasting media in most developed countries for decades, and modern equipment and occupational health regulations recommend safe alternatives.
Why you won’t find suitable blasting media at a hardware store
Quartz sand sold in hardware stores is intended for other uses — mortar, plaster, pool filtration — not blasting. Even though it’s commercially available for those purposes, using it as a blasting media remains inadvisable because of the health risk described above.
What blasting media is actually used
- Steel or stainless steel shot — for intensive cleaning and fast stripping of rust or old paint; can be recycled many times in a recirculating system.
- Aluminum oxide (corundum) — a hard abrasive, for controlled, aggressive roughness, suited to surface preparation before painting.
- Glass beads — for a uniform matte finish, without removing excess material — suited to parts where appearance matters.
- Garnet — a gentler natural abrasive, often used where sand would once have been chosen, but without the crystalline free silica risks.
- Metallurgical slag — a single-use, economical media, for large-scale jobs where recirculation isn’t a priority.
- Plastic or sodium bicarbonate — for delicate parts, where the surface must not be deformed or scratched.
How to choose the right blasting media
The choice depends on three things: the part’s material (metal, plastic, wood), the desired result (intensive cleaning vs. fine finish), and whether the media will be recirculated in a blast cabinet or used only once. The Vibroblast team can recommend the right combination of abrasive media and blasting equipment for your application.
Frequently asked questions
Is sand still used for sandblasting?
No — quartz sand hasn’t been used as a blasting media for over 40 years, because of the silicosis risk. Many people still say “sandblasting” out of habit, but the materials used today are entirely different.
Why isn’t sand used for blasting anymore?
Because the resulting dust contains fine particles of crystalline free silica, which, when inhaled repeatedly, can cause silicosis — an irreversible lung disease. That’s why it was phased out as a blasting media in most developed countries.
What blasting media is used instead of sand?
Steel or stainless steel shot, aluminum oxide (corundum), glass beads, garnet or metallurgical slag — all free of crystalline silica, with equal or better performance than sand.
What’s the best blasting media?
It depends on the material and the result you want: steel shot for intensive cleaning and fast stripping, aluminum oxide for controlled roughness, glass beads for a uniform matte finish, garnet for more delicate parts.
Can blasting media be reused?
Yes — steel shot and aluminum oxide can be recycled many times in a recirculating system (cabinet or automatic installation), which significantly lowers the cost per part compared to single-use media.
For more details about the sandblasting equipment we offer, contact us for a personalized offer.
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