Many people see sand as just something you toss in a sandbox or mix into concrete, but in industrial applications, sand is a valuable raw material with varying physical and chemical characteristics that make it suitable for specific processes. Choosing the wrong type of sand can cause defective products, safety hazards, and even regulatory complications.
Industrial sand basics
When you need sand for an industrial application, you need the right sand. Not all types are created equal. Whether you’re using it for filtration media, molding mixes, refractory linings, or engineered glass, you need high-purity silica sand with properties that perform best for your use case.
Industrial sand comes in a variety of grades, each containing a different silica content, particle size, shape, and impurity level – all elements that impact performance.
- Grain size and distribution. Sand with a high silica content is essential for glass and structural stability in refractories.
- Purity and chemical composition. Impurities like iron, aluminum, or carbon make glass cloudy and can cause discoloration.
- Shape. The correct shape depends on what it’s being used for. Round grains improve flow but can weaken mechanical interlock. Angular grains strengthen concrete but can reduce flow in casting mixes.
The qualities of industrial silica sand vary by source and processing method. Manufacturers use washing and chemical treatments to adjust the properties as needed. That’s why it’s critical to obtain sand with the right qualities based on your needs to avoid problems.
Sand quality matters in glass manufacturing
Most glass is made from high-purity silica sand that meets strict impurity and particle size requirements. This ensures optical clarity and a solid structure. For example, silica sand is typically melted with soda ash and limestone to create windowpanes and automotive glass, but it needs to be 95% pure. Anything less can create bubbles and defects that impact transparency.
In specialty applications like fiber optics, silica sand needs to be low in iron specifically to avoid discoloration. Glass quality is only as good as the sand used to create it.
Sand is the backbone of casting
Thanks to its thermal stability and strength, sand is used as material to make molds for automotive parts and industrial machinery. Molds and cores are made from sand bound with resins or clay that can withstand molten metal temperatures. This requires a specific particle size.
Even high-quality silica sand will expand when exposed to heat, which can cause defective casting. In this case, sand with controlled expansion is ideal. Using the right sand grade will produce fewer defective castings and lower scrap rates.
Sand plays a huge role in water filtration
Sand is used to filter water in municipal water plants, pool filters, industrial water recycling, breweries, wastewater treatment, and closed-loop cooling systems. It’s an ideal medium for capturing suspended solids without altering the water chemistry. When graded, silica sand acts as a barrier that traps particulates. Sand doesn’t react with disinfectants or alter the pH of the water, so it doesn’t disrupt the function of treatment chemicals.
Sand is essential in construction
Sand is the perfect way to fill the void between aggregates in concrete and asphalt mixes. This strengthens packing density and increases the durability of the end result. Sand is also used in specialty building materials like stucco and roofing shingles to enhance texture and add weather resistant properties.
Energy industries use sand
The oil and gas industry uses a specific grade of sand called “frac sand.” This specific grade resists being crushed and is packable under extreme pressures. It’s used to hold open fractures in shale so oil and gas can flow.
Four important tips for choosing the right sand
1. Beach sand isn’t an option
Beach sand usually fails to meet industrial specs for any application. It’s not usually high enough in silica and the grain qualities are a mismatch.
2. MSDS information is important
Before purchasing sand from any supplier, request the material safety data (MSDS) information to verify grain size distributions and performance tests.
3. Analyze the lifecycle cost
You can find cheap sand but you’ll pay the price in defects, downtime, and regulatory fines that can cost you even more.
4. Prioritize safety
Silica dust is a known health hazard that can cause silicosis. Always wear a proper mask when handling industrial sand and enforce a mask policy for all employees.
Sand isn’t as simple as it looks
Unlike the sand you enjoy at the beach, industrial sand is a highly specialized material with varying qualities tailored to support specific needs. Understanding these qualities and sourcing the right grade is essential for ensuring optimal performance and operational efficiency.
