Silicon Carbide

Silicon Carbide is manufactured from a high heat reaction of silica sand and carbon. While silicon carbide and silica share similar chemistry, Silicon Carbide used in abrasive blasting contains less than 1% free silica. Free silica or silicon dioxide is the compound that should be avoided (due to risk of silicosis) and not inhaled as a fine particulate. Details about Silicon Carbide can be found on a previous post.

Blast Cleaning Steel

Historically, steel has been blasted using silica sand. For obvious health reasons (potential silicosis hazard), silica is not a safe media to use. Many industrial contractors, municipalities and military facilities are now using Crushed Glass Grit to blast steel.

Crushed Glass Grit will remove paint, dirt, soils and rust leaving a 'white' metal surface. Depending on the grit size used, a micro-finish can be achieved so that the steel can be immediately primed and painted with no further preparation.

Produced from recycled bottle (mostly) glass, Crushed Glass Grit contains no free silica, heavy metals and is approved in many of the most stringent air quality districts. Crushed Glass Grit is also considered a green blasting media since it is 'neutral' to the environment.