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BlastOne has been working as a distributor of GMA Garnet for over 40 years!
Over the last 20 years GMA Garnet has become the primary abrasive used for sandblasting in Australia and New Zealand. BlastOne has helped contractors on different projects across the globe, and we understand the requirements that different projects bring. We trust this article helps you to understand what grade we recommend for your application.
While there is no such thing as a does-all sandblasting abrasive, Australian GMA Garnet comes closest. It has been the abrasive of choice for blasting multiple materials – steel, aluminium, stainless steel, glass. It has performed tasks as varied as frosting glass, cleaning up stainless steel after TIG welding, and removing corrosion on marine vessels.
The Power of GMA Garnet as a Blasting Abrasive
Also known as the Almadine garnet, is a versatile and durable type of garnet that is gaining popularity in the blasting industry. This garnet is known for its bright pink colour, high hardness, and ability to effectively remove surface contaminants.
Characteristics of GMA Garnet for Blasting
An ideal choice for blasting abrasives due to its unique characteristics. Some of the key advantages of using it for blasting include:
- Hardness: GMA Garnet™ is harder than most other abrasives, producing a deeper, more consistent profile when blasted at the same pressure.
- Durability: GMA Garnet™ is tougher than most other abrasives, reducing the tendency to fracture on impact, resulting in deeper profiles and higher efficiency blasting.
- Low Dust Generation: GMA Garnet™ is sub-angular in shape, with enough edges to create deep profiles while minimising embedment.
- Low Profile: GMA’s heavier, denser abrasive grains outperform less dense abrasives, delivering more energy to the surface and creating deeper, consistent anchor profiles when blasted at the same pressure.
The GMA Garnet™ Advantage
Australian GMA Garnet™ is a strong natural mineral that outperforms other abrasives when used in conjunction with the recommended equipment and air pressure. Due to the inherent strength in Hardness, Toughness (low friability), Density and Angularity, our products perform efficiently when blasted. This results in higher productivity, minimal dust, and a cleaner, uniform surface finish, ready for coating.
1. Hardness
GMA Garnet™ has a higher relative resistance to abrade a surface compared to other abrasives.
2. Toughness
To remove surface coatings effectively, an abrasive must be tough enough to resist fracturing on impact.
3. Angularity
Angular grains produce a sharper anchor profile, whilst rounded grains produce a more even, smooth profile.
4. Density
GMA’s heavier, denser abrasive grain outperforms a less dense abrasive. GMA Garnet™ grains create a deeper, consistent anchor profile when blasted at the same pressure.
Multi-Dimensional Engineered Blends
Typical blasting abrasive media is generally one-dimensional, consisting of either concentrated coarse particles or concentrated finer particles.
Having a wider particle size distribution from GMA Engineered Blends helps optimize blasting performance as they are formulated to ‘cut & clean’ faster than traditional one dimensional abrasive products. Coarser particles effectively ‘cut’ through the coating and generate the required profile depth, while finer particles ‘clean’ the anchor profile and improve the efficiency of the blasting process.
Knowledge & Learning
Videos from the Experts
How to | Primed Insights | Safety Tips
3 Tips for recycling abrasive on jobsites
Abrasive Contaminants Left on Blasted Surface
How Using The Correct Abrasive Grade Improves Nearly Everything
Understanding Abrasive Sizing for Sand Blasting
ANGULARITY: A Growing Sandblasting Spec
Abrasive Particle Size Testing
GMA More than just Australian Garnet
Low Dust Blasting with GMA Australian Garnet
GX-GMA GARNET vs. SLAG ABRASIVE
Our Abrasive Blast Product Line
When selecting an abrasive, consider the following
- What production rate do I want out of my sandblasting abrasive? Australian GMA Garnet quality may cost a little more in the bag, however in a tuned blast system the consumption rate will ensure that it is more economical in use.
- How efficient is the sandblasting media I am considering using? While one abrasive may be cheaper than another, does the more expensive abrasive media blast the same area with less material? An abrasive with a slightly higher cost but a much lower consumption rate will be more economical to use.
- What type of surface finish do I require from my sandblasting abrasive? Am I blasting to prepare the surface prior to being coated? Or am I blasting to create a surface finish?
- What is the material being blasted? Is it soft? Or is it hard? Will my preferred abrasive media stain it?
Each abrasive has a specific advantage which will weight the purchase decision in its favor. Want a regular consistent profile with no rogue peaks? Choose Australian GMA Garnet. Want a sharp angular profile for hot metal spray to lock into? Choose aluminium oxide. Wanting to blast food processing machinery and don’t want any rust stains? Choose stainless steel shot. Got a 100% recovery blast chamber and want to recycle your abrasives many times? Choose steel grit.
Standard packaging for sandblasting media includes 25kg, 1 tonne, and 2 tonne bags. BlastOne has distribution facilities throughout Australia.
SELECTING THE RIGHT GARNET FOR THE JOB
ToughBlast™ Your Engineered Blend for Tough Coating Removal Jobs NEW
Product and Features
Surface Profile
Blasting Rates
Consumption Rate
Industry Application
Medium to heavy industrial maintenance: 2 to 3 coating systems and thick rigid coatings.
70 - 90 μm
Up to 30 m2/hr
As low as 16 kg/m2
Oil & Gas (Onshore/Offshore), Shipyards, Bridges, Military, Tank Chemical Liners.
PremiumBlast™ Your Versatile Maintenance Grade Abrasive
Product and Features
Surface Profile
Blasting Rates
Consumption Rate
Industry Application
Removal of medium coatings and/or medium rust.
55 - 75 μm
Up to 20 m2/hr
As low as 19 kg/m2
Refinery, Water Storage, Tank Farms, Energy Generation, Pipelines
SpeedBlast™ Your Fast Cleaning General Purpose Abrasive
Product and Features
Surface Profile
Blasting Rates
Consumption Rate
Industry Application
Efficient general industrial maintenance/light coatings and new construction abrasive.
50 - 65 μm
Up to 25 m2/hr
As low as 10 kg/m2
Refinery, Water Storage, Tank Farms, Energy Generation, Pipelines
NewSteel™ Your Abrasive for New Build Jobs
Product and Features
Surface Profile
Blasting Rates
Consumption Rate
Industry Application
Unrivalled speed in removing mill scale, and light rust for new construction projects.
40 - 60 μm
Up to 35 m2/hr
As low as 7 kg/m2
New Builds/New Construction - Oil & Gas, Refineries, Pipelines, Structural Steel
Blasting rates are based on millscale removal and surface preparation. The information and performance data stated are provided as a general purpose guide. Abrasive blasting rates and consumption vary from project to project. Actual project and productivity results could be materially different from projected results expressed or implied.
Customer Testimonials
The Original Australian GMA Garnet Abrasive Supplier!
The Australian GMA Garnet is an excellent choice for blasting abrasives due to its hardness, durability, low dust generation, and angular shape. With its ability to improve surface quality, increase productivity, and reduce environmental impact, versatile and powerful tool for any blasting application. If you are looking for a reliable and effective blasting abrasive, consider this incredible media.
BlastOne® Australia, supplies quality blasting abrasives, Surface Preparation and Corrosion Control equipment, in many different industries including Oil & Gas, Mining, Structural Steel Fabrication,
Water Infrastructure, Marine and Bridge Refurbishment work.
Melbourne: 1800 190 190 Adelaide: 08 8292 2000
Brisbane: 07 3329 5000 Darwin: 08 8989 6000
Mackay: 07 4968 4000 Melbourne: 03 8343 0300
Newcastle: 02 9193 9080 Perth: 08 9350 5940
Sydney: 02 9193 9000
