Sandblasting Media Guide

Blast Media Types

How do you decide what sandblasting grit size to use? This sandblasting media guide shows the many blast media types available. Each has a set of specific uses and characteristics.  When you are sandblasting material, make sure it is done correctly.  Specific abrasive media are used where another type cannot.  Some basic information about abrasive blasting media will help.

What is abrasive grit anyway?

Basically it tells you how aggressive the media is.  The more aggressive the grit, the abrasive media, the more work it can perform on the surface.  We go into this in extreme detail in this article. However, the question, “How is grit measured” is easy when you can see how it converts to other units.  Some prefer to convert grit to micron and others micron to grit.  This is the purpose of the tables above, easily convert between the two.  These charts are also often referred to as a grit size chart.

Grit Size Chart

Grit

Mesh

Microns

Inches

43.55600~47500.187 (nom.)
544750~40000.157
654000~33500.132
763350~28000.111
8722100.087 (av.)
10818540.073
121016000.063
141213460.053
161410920.043
20169400.037
24206860.027
30255590.022
36304830.030
46403560.014
54453050.012
60502540.010
70602030.008
80701650.0065
90801450.0057
1001001220.0048
1201201020.0040
150140890.0035
180170760.0030
220200630.0025

Micro Grit Conversion Chart

Grit

Mesh

Microns

Inches

24020050- 53.50.00200
280 40.5- 44.00.00154
320 32.5- 36.00.00122
360 25.8- 28.8 
400 20.6- 23.60.00087
500 16.7- 19.70.00075
600 13.0- 16.00.00063
700  0.00055
800 9.8- 12.30.00047
900  0.00035
1000 6.8- 9.30.00028
1200 4.5- 6.5 
CF1 480.00189
F 400.00160
FF 330.00130
FFF (Coarse) 250.00099
FFF 190.00075
FFFF 110.00043

Sieve Sizes

For grit sizes below 240, physical screens can be used to measure grit.  Sieve sizes vary and depending upon the number of screens per inch.  Of course, there are more technical resources on this topic, but basically the holes in the sieve screens are 0.0331 inches.  Abrasive grit articles that pass through that screen must be, of course, smaller than that diameter fall through.  Some particles go through some do not.  Therefore a grit number represents a range of particle sizes.

Sandblasting Media Guide:  Sandblast Media Chart

When it comes to sandblasting material, a specific type of media might be useful for some. However, it really comes down to an easy to follow sandblasting media chart.  We hope it lays out sandblasting media in an easy to understand format.  A popular question is “What is the best sandblasting media for rust removal?” And of course, the answer is – “It depends.”  How thick is the rust, what type of pattern do you want left, what type of blasting system do you have?  It is difficult to give an exact answer without details.  So, we encourage you to contact us and we can help determine the best media choice for your specific situation.

Media TypeUsesPopular Grit SizesShape
Brown Aluminum OxideEtching, Paint Removal, Surface Preparation80-100Angular
White Aluminum OxideEtching, Honing, Polishing, Surface Preparation240Angular
Glass BeadsAll purpose abrasive, frosting glass, demurring40-325Round
Silicon CarbideEtching hard metals & stone, frosting & etching24-100Sharp
Blasting GarnetSurface cleaning & Light Deburring55Sub-Angular

Sandblaster Media | Sandblasting Sand for Sale

Even in our sandblasting media guide, we get a lot of grief on this one.  If it’s called a sandblaster, then why don’t you have sandblaster sand for sale?  First, silica sand is known to be a health hazard.  Silicosis is a condition in the lungs that is a very serious concern.  Hence, we have never and will never recommend sand as an abrasive in a blast cabinet.  Next, despite the lack of silica in some sand, we prefer to avoid it altogether.  Finally, we offer alternatives to sandblasting sand.  No abrasive is safe – always read the manuals, always read and understand the risks, and remember you are always ultimately responsible for your own health and safety.