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 |
| 4 | 3.5 | 5600~4750 | 0.187 (nom.) |
| 5 | 4 | 4750~4000 | 0.157 |
| 6 | 5 | 4000~3350 | 0.132 |
| 7 | 6 | 3350~2800 | 0.111 |
| 8 | 7 | 2210 | 0.087 (av.) |
| 10 | 8 | 1854 | 0.073 |
| 12 | 10 | 1600 | 0.063 |
| 14 | 12 | 1346 | 0.053 |
| 16 | 14 | 1092 | 0.043 |
| 20 | 16 | 940 | 0.037 |
| 24 | 20 | 686 | 0.027 |
| 30 | 25 | 559 | 0.022 |
| 36 | 30 | 483 | 0.030 |
| 46 | 40 | 356 | 0.014 |
| 54 | 45 | 305 | 0.012 |
| 60 | 50 | 254 | 0.010 |
| 70 | 60 | 203 | 0.008 |
| 80 | 70 | 165 | 0.0065 |
| 90 | 80 | 145 | 0.0057 |
| 100 | 100 | 122 | 0.0048 |
| 120 | 120 | 102 | 0.0040 |
| 150 | 140 | 89 | 0.0035 |
| 180 | 170 | 76 | 0.0030 |
| 220 | 200 | 63 | 0.0025 |
Micro Grit Conversion Chart
| Grit | Mesh | Microns | Inches |
| 240 | 200 | 50- 53.5 | 0.00200 |
| 280 | 40.5- 44.0 | 0.00154 | |
| 320 | 32.5- 36.0 | 0.00122 | |
| 360 | 25.8- 28.8 | ||
| 400 | 20.6- 23.6 | 0.00087 | |
| 500 | 16.7- 19.7 | 0.00075 | |
| 600 | 13.0- 16.0 | 0.00063 | |
| 700 | 0.00055 | ||
| 800 | 9.8- 12.3 | 0.00047 | |
| 900 | 0.00035 | ||
| 1000 | 6.8- 9.3 | 0.00028 | |
| 1200 | 4.5- 6.5 | ||
| CF1 | 48 | 0.00189 | |
| F | 40 | 0.00160 | |
| FF | 33 | 0.00130 | |
| FFF (Coarse) | 25 | 0.00099 | |
| FFF | 19 | 0.00075 | |
| FFFF | 11 | 0.00043 |
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 Type | Uses | Popular Grit Sizes | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Aluminum Oxide | Etching, Paint Removal, Surface Preparation | 80-100 | Angular |
| White Aluminum Oxide | Etching, Honing, Polishing, Surface Preparation | 240 | Angular |
| Glass Beads | All purpose abrasive, frosting glass, demurring | 40-325 | Round |
| Silicon Carbide | Etching hard metals & stone, frosting & etching | 24-100 | Sharp |
| Blasting Garnet | Surface cleaning & Light Deburring | 55 | Sub-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.