Garnet, Garnet Sand, Almandine Garnet, GMA Garnet, Garnet Abrasive, 1302-62-1
GARNET – GARNET
1. CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND DEFINITION
| Parameter |
Information |
| Chemical Name |
Garnet (Almandine) |
| Other Names |
Garnet Sand, Almandine Garnet, GMA Garnet™, Garnet Abrasive, Garnet Blasting Media |
| Mineral Group |
Nesosilicate |
| Crystal Structure |
Isometric (cubic) |
| Chemical Formula |
Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ (for Almandine) |
| CAS Number |
1302-62-1 (Almandine Garnet) |
| EC Number (EINECS) |
215-114-8 |
| Appearance |
Red, brown, green, black, pink crystalline powder/granules |
| Odor |
Odorless |
| Physical State (20°C) |
Solid (powder / granules) |
2. WHAT IS GARNET?
Garnet is a naturally occurring group of nesosilicate minerals. It includes various species such as almandine (Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃), pyrope (Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃), and spessartine (Mn₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃). The most commonly used industrial type is almandine garnet. Due to its high hardness, sharp edges, and chemical stability, it is widely used in abrasive blasting, waterjet cutting, filtration, and abrasive product applications.
3. GARNET TYPES
| Type |
Formula |
Color |
CAS Number |
Use |
| Almandine |
Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
Red-brown |
1302-62-1 |
Industrial abrasive |
| Pyrope |
Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
Deep red |
1302-64-3 |
Jewelry |
| Spessartine |
Mn₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
Orange-red |
1302-64-3 |
Jewelry |
| Andradite |
Ca₃Fe₂(SiO₄)₃ |
Green-yellow |
1302-66-5 |
Industrial |
| Grossular |
Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
Green-yellow |
1302-64-3 |
Jewelry |
| Uvarovite |
Ca₃Cr₂(SiO₄)₃ |
Green |
- |
Jewelry |
4. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Value |
| Appearance |
Red, brown, green, black, pink crystalline powder/granules |
| Hardness (Mohs) |
6.5 – 7.5 |
| Hardness (HRC - GL Type) |
52 – 60 HRC |
| Hardness (HRC - GP Type) |
40 – 53 HRC |
| Density |
3.5 – 4.3 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point |
~1,300 °C |
| Grain Size |
Mesh 12/20 → 0.50 – 1.20 mm / Mesh 240 → 0.045 – 0.10 mm |
| Crystal Structure |
Isometric (cubic) |
| Refractive Index |
1.78 – 1.89 |
| Magnetic Properties |
Slightly magnetic (due to iron content) |
| Color |
Red, brown, green, black, pink |
5. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (Almandine Garnet)
| Component |
Formula |
Percentage (%) |
| Silicon Dioxide |
SiO₂ |
~35 |
| Iron Oxide |
Fe₂O₃ |
~33 |
| Aluminum Oxide |
Al₂O₃ |
~23 |
| Magnesium Oxide |
MgO |
~7 |
| Manganese Oxide |
MnO |
~1 |
| Calcium Oxide |
CaO |
~1 |
6. GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION
| Mesh Grade |
Grain Size (mm) |
Grain Size (μm) |
Application |
| 12/20 |
0.50 – 1.20 |
500 – 1200 |
Heavy blasting |
| 20/40 |
0.30 – 0.85 |
300 – 850 |
General blasting |
| 30/60 |
0.20 – 0.60 |
200 – 600 |
Fine blasting |
| 60/90 |
0.10 – 0.25 |
100 – 250 |
Precision surface finishing |
| 120/240 |
0.045 – 0.10 |
45 – 100 |
Waterjet cutting, filtration |
| 240 |
0.045 – 0.10 |
45 – 100 |
Fine filtration |
7. APPLICATIONS
7.1. Industrial Blasting
| Application |
Description |
| Paint Removal |
Removal of paint, varnish, and coatings from surfaces |
| Rust Removal |
Removal of rust and oxide layers from metal surfaces |
| Coating Removal |
Removal of old coatings |
| Single-Use Systems |
One-time use blasting media |
| Reclaimable Systems |
Reusable blasting media |
7.2. Waterjet Cutting
| Application |
Description |
| Metal Cutting |
Stainless steel, aluminum, titanium cutting |
| Glass Cutting |
Flat glass, tempered glass, optical glass cutting |
| Stone Cutting |
Marble, granite, natural stone cutting |
| Composite Cutting |
Carbon fiber and composite material cutting |
| Precision Cutting |
High-precision applications |
7.3. Water Filtration
| Application |
Description |
| Multi-media Filtration |
Sediment capture in multi-layer filter systems |
| Wastewater Treatment |
Industrial and municipal wastewater treatment |
| Groundwater Treatment |
Particle removal from groundwater |
| Process Water |
Industrial process water filtration |
7.4. Abrasive Products
| Application |
Description |
| Sandpaper |
Wood, metal, plastic sanding |
| Abrasive Discs |
Grinding and cutting discs |
| Abrasive Belts |
Wide belt sanding systems |
| Polishing Stones |
Surface polishing and finishing |
7.5. Metallurgy
| Application |
Description |
| Surface Preparation |
Surface cleaning before coating |
| Pre-Weld Cleaning |
Preparation of welding surfaces |
| Passivation |
Metal surface passivation processes |
7.6. Jewelry and Gemstones
| Application |
Description |
| Almandine |
Red-brown gemstone |
| Pyrope |
Deep red gemstone |
| Spessartine |
Orange-red gemstone |
| Grossular |
Green-yellow gemstone |
8. ADVANTAGES OF GARNET
| Advantage |
Description |
| High Hardness |
Mohs 6.5-7.5 provides effective abrasion |
| Sharp Edges |
Sharp abrasive edges from natural fracture |
| Low Dust Generation |
Less dust in the working environment |
| Recyclability |
Can be used multiple times |
| Chemical Stability |
Resistant to acids and bases |
| Low Free Silica |
Low silicosis risk |
| Environmentally Friendly |
Natural mineral, non-toxic |
| Cost Effective |
Economical compared to other abrasives |
9. ALTERNATIVES AND COMPARISON
| Alternative |
Property / Difference |
Comparison with Garnet |
| Aluminum Oxide |
Harder, difficult to reclaim, suitable for stainless steel |
Garnet is softer, lower dust, more economical |
| Steel Grit / Shot |
More aggressive, high iron content |
Garnet leaves no marks on stainless, less metal contamination |
| Silicon Carbide |
Very hard, expensive, for precision cutting |
Garnet is more economical, medium hardness |
| Glass Beads |
Soft, for surface polishing |
Garnet is harder, more aggressive cleaning |
| Sand |
Low cost, high free silica |
Garnet has low silica, environmentally friendly |
10. PRODUCTION AND SOURCES
10.1. Natural Sources
| Source Type |
Regions |
| Alluvial Deposits |
India, Australia, USA |
| Hard Rock Deposits |
China, South Africa, Australia |
10.2. Processing Stages
| Stage |
Description |
| 1. Crushing |
Crushing of large rocks |
| 2. Screening |
Size classification |
| 3. Magnetic Separation |
Separation of iron content |
| 4. Washing |
Removal of impurities |
| 5. Drying |
Moisture reduction |
| 6. Sizing |
Separation into precise mesh grades |
10.3. Leading Manufacturers
| Manufacturer |
Region |
| GMA Garnet Group |
Australia, USA, South Africa |
| Barton International |
USA |
| Indian Garnet Sand Company |
India |
| V.V. Mineral |
India |
11. SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| Hazard |
Low toxicity |
| Dust |
Inhalation may cause respiratory irritation |
| Free Silica |
Low (< 1%) |
| Silicosis Risk |
Very low |
| Skin Contact |
May cause mechanical irritation |
| Eye Contact |
May cause mechanical irritation |
| Ingestion |
Low toxicity |
| Carcinogenicity |
Not classified |
| Mutagenicity |
Negative |
11.1. FIRST AID MEASURES
| Route of Exposure |
Action |
| Inhalation |
Remove to fresh air. If respiratory irritation, seek medical attention. |
| Skin Contact |
Wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| Eye Contact |
Rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. |
| Ingestion |
Rinse mouth. Drink plenty of water. Seek medical attention. |
12. STORAGE AND HANDLING
| Parameter |
Information |
| Storage Conditions |
Cool, dry, well-ventilated area |
| Container Requirements |
Tightly closed, original packaging |
| Protect From |
Moisture, excessive heat, acids |
| Shelf Life |
Unlimited (with proper storage) |
| Dust Precautions |
Prevent dust formation; use respiratory protection |
13. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| UN Number |
Not regulated (not a hazardous material) |
| Hazard Class |
Not applicable |
| Packing Group |
Not applicable |
| ADR/RID |
Not regulated |
| IMDG Code |
Not regulated |
| IATA (Air) |
Not regulated |
| Marine Pollutant |
No |
14. PACKAGING OPTIONS
| Packaging Type |
Quantity |
Material |
| Big Bag |
500-1000 kg |
Polypropylene |
| Plastic Bucket |
5-25 kg |
HDPE |
| Kraft Bag |
25 kg |
Kraft + PE liner |
| Plastic Bag |
5-25 kg |
HDPE/LDPE |
15. REGULATORY STATUS
| Region / Authority |
Status |
| European Union (REACH) |
Registered substance |
| USA (EPA TSCA) |
Listed on TSCA inventory |
| Turkey |
Registered substance |
16. OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS
| Type |
Name |
| Turkish Names |
Garnet, Almandin Garnet, Garnet Kumu |
| English Names |
Garnet, Almandine Garnet, GMA Garnet™, Garnet Abrasive, Garnet Blasting Media |
| CAS Numbers |
1302-62-1 (Almandine), 1302-66-5 (Andradite), 1302-64-3 (Grossular) |
17. SUMMARY AND CRITICAL WARNINGS
Product Summary
| Parameter |
Value |
| Product |
Garnet (Almandine) |
| CAS Number |
1302-62-1 |
| Formula |
Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
| Hardness (Mohs) |
6.5 – 7.5 |
| Density |
3.5 – 4.3 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point |
~1,300 °C |
| Primary Applications |
Blasting, waterjet cutting, filtration, abrasives |
CRITICAL WARNINGS
1. Grain Size Selection: Select the appropriate grain size based on application. Coarse mesh (12/20) for heavy blasting, fine mesh (240) for waterjet cutting and filtration.
2. Low Free Silica: Garnet has low free silica content (<1%). Silicosis risk is low.
3. Recycling: Garnet can be recycled multiple times. Reduces costs in reclaimable systems.
4. Stainless Steel Applications: Due to iron content, use caution on stainless steel surfaces. May cause iron contamination.
5. Waterjet Cutting: In waterjet cutting, garnet provides high cutting speed and precision. Select appropriate grain size and pressure for optimal performance.
6. Storage: Store in a dry environment. Moisture may negatively affect flowability and performance.
7. Environmentally Friendly: Natural mineral, non-toxic. Complies with environmental regulations.
8. Consumer Information: Garnet types used in jewelry (pyrope, spessartine, grossular) are different from industrial garnet.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and is prepared based on available technical data. The user is responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their specific application and for complying with all local, national, and international regulations. For complete safety, storage, use, handling, disposal, and regulatory compliance information, refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier. This document is not a substitute for professional or medical advice.
