groundsand

Groundsand is a milled sand product formed by grinding natural sand or silica-bearing rock into defined particle-size fractions for industrial use. The term is used across several sectors, and specific grades may vary by supplier or region.

Forms and composition: Groundsand typically exists as ground silica sand or ground quartz. Common grades range from coarse to fine, chosen to suit applications such as fillers, extenders, or abrasives. The material is predominantly silicon dioxide but may include trace minerals; purity and moisture content affect performance.

Production and processing: Raw material may be natural sand or crushed rock. Milling equipment such as hammer mills or ball mills reduces particle size, followed by sieving or air classification to achieve the target distribution. Some grades are washed, dried, or chemically treated to remove impurities or alter surface properties.

Applications: It serves as a filler or fine aggregate in concrete and asphalt, as an abrasive in blasting or polishing, as a filtration medium, or as a filler in polymers and coatings. In horticulture, certain grades are used as soil amendments where appropriate, while others are avoided due to silica content.

Standards and safety: Specifications are defined by industry standards and regional authorities. Because crystalline silica exposure can pose health risks, workplaces implement dust control, ventilation, and protective equipment protocols; compliance with relevant testing and labeling is commonly required.

See also: silica sand, quartz sand, sandblasting, fillers.