Garnet Sand / Garnet Powder Synonyms:

Iron aluminum silicate, calcium and aluminum silicates

Garnet Sand / Garnet Powder Nominal Formula:

Fe3Al2(SiO4)3

Garnet Sand / Garnet Powder Description:

A group of iron aluminum silicate homogeneous minerals having similar properties. non-hygroscopic, sharp angular shape, inert, slightly magnetic, not soluble in water, translucent, friable to tough, and contains no free chemicals. All oxides and dioxides are combined chemically as follows: Fe2O3Al2(SiO4)3. The iron and aluminum are partially replaceable by calcium, magnesium and manganese.

Typical Chemistry: SiO2= 41.34%, FeO= 9.72%, Fe2O3= 12.55%, Al2O3= 20.36%, CaO= 2.97%, MgO= 12.35% and MnO= 0.85%

Garnet Sand / Garnet Powder Typical Physical Properties Available:

1) Sintered pieces, targets, granules and various powder sizings

2) Grade 36CG (For Coast Guard marine deck abrasive paint applications)

Garnet Sand / Garnet Powder Typical Applications:

1) Used in non-skid surfaces and heavily as a semi-precious stone

2) Garnet sand is a good abrasive, and a common replacement for silica sand in sand blasting. Alluvial garnet grains which are rounder are more suitable for such blasting treatments. Mixed with very high pressure water, garnet is used to cut steel and other materials in water jets. For water jet cutting, garnet extracted from hard rock is suitable since it is more angular in form, therefore more efficient in cutting.

3) Garnet paper is favoured by cabinetmakers for finishing bare wood.

4) Garnet sand is also used for water filtration media.

5) As an abrasive garnet can be broadly divided in two categories, blasting grade and water jet grade. The garnet, as it is mined and collected, is crushed to finer grains; all pieces which are larger than 60 mesh (250 micrometres) are normally used for sand blasting. The pieces between 60 mesh (250 micrometres) and 200 mesh (74 micrometres) are normally used for water jet cutting. The remaining garnet pieces that are finer than 200 mesh (74 micrometres) are used for glass polishing and lapping. Regardless of the application, the larger grain sizes are used for faster work and the smaller ones are used for finer finishes.

Garnet Sand / Garnet Powder Health Status:

Inhalation:

Dust may cause irritation of nasal and respiratory tract.

Eye:

Dust may cause irritation.

Skin:

May cause abrasions.

Ingestion:

No known effects, however ingestion not recommended.

Medical Conditions Aggravated by Long-Term Exposure: 

Chronic respiratory disease may be aggravated by exposure to nuisance dust.

Emergency and First Aid Procedures: 

Inhalation:

Remove to fresh air, if breathing is difficult, administer oxygen, obtain medical assistance, if needed.

Eye Contact:

Flush with large amounts of water, obtain medical assistance, if needed.

Skin Contact:

Thoroughly wash exposed area with soap and water.