Contact Us
Contact Us

FAQs

High Productivity

GMA is much more expensive than other non-garnet abrasives on the market. Why should I consider it?

While GMA Garnet can be 3-5 times more expensive initially compared to other non-garnet abrasives, its performance, lower consumption rates, and recyclability lead to overall cost savings. GMA Garnet’s efficiency means you use less abrasive to achieve the desired surface profile, and its durability allows for multiple reuses, reducing the need for frequent replenishment. Measuring the cost of an abrasive per unit area instead of per unit weight shows that GMA Garnet's superior cutting ability and durability result in lower overall consumption. Additionally, its low dust generation enhances visibility and safety, accelerating project completion and reducing cleanup costs. These factors, combined with savings on labor, equipment wear and tear, and disposal costs, make GMA Garnet a cost-effective choice in the long run. You can validate these benefits using our TruCost Abrasive Blasting Calculator and reviewing our case histories.

GMA Garnet™ improves productivity through high blasting speed and efficiency. Its hardness and angularity ensure rapid cutting and consistent surface profiles, reducing the time needed for surface preparation. Lower dust generation enhances visibility, allowing operators to work more accurately and quickly, with fewer stoppages waiting for dust to clear. 

These factors combine to increase overall productivity, enabling faster project completion and lower labor costs. In addition, the reduced need for cleanup and equipment maintenance further boosts productivity and cost savings.

Find out more about lowering total costs.

It's important to note that not all garnet abrasives are created equal. GMA Garnet is renowned for its consistent quality, superior hardness, and engineered blends that optimize both cutting and cleaning power. If you haven’t experienced high productivity with other garnet abrasives, it could be due to variations in quality and performance. GMA Garnet stands out because of its uniform particle size distribution, high purity, and low dust generation, which contribute to faster blasting speeds and more efficient operations. We offer testing and demonstration opportunities to showcase GMA Garnet's superior performance. Our technical experts can assist you in adjusting your equipment and optimizing your blasting setup to achieve maximum productivity. By switching to GMA Garnet, you can benefit from its lower consumption rates, reduced equipment wear and tear, quicker cleanup times, and expert guidance, leading to significant cost savings and improved overall productivity. This makes GMA Garnet a worthwhile investment, even if other garnet abrasives haven't met your expectations.

While local availability and low transportation costs are advantages, the overall benefits of GMA Garnet can outweigh these factors. GMA Garnet’s lower consumption rates, recyclability, and higher blasting efficiency lead to significant cost savings on material and labor. Reduced dust levels improve operational safety and environmental compliance, potentially lowering regulatory costs and health risks. The consistent performance of GMA Garnet leads to higher quality results and customer satisfaction. When considering the total cost of ownership, which includes labor, equipment costs, cleanup, and recyclability, GMA Garnet often proves to be more economical and efficient. The long-term savings and improved productivity make GMA Garnet a valuable investment.
GMA provides comprehensive support, including technical advice, product training, and on-site assistance to help customers optimize their blasting operations for maximum productivity and efficiency. Our technical experts can assist you in adjusting your equipment and optimizing your blasting setup to achieve the best results with GMA Garnet.
GMA Garnet impacts overall project costs by reducing consumption rates, minimizing downtime due to fewer abrasive replenishments, and lowering cleanup and disposal costs due to its low dust generation. Its high efficiency and recyclability lead to direct material cost savings and less wear and tear on equipment, further reducing maintenance expenses. These combined factors contribute to significant cost savings over the duration of a project.
The TruCost Abrasive Blasting Calculator provides a comprehensive analysis of total project costs by considering various factors such as labor, material, equipment, disposal, and project specifications. By inputting details about your project, you can see a high-level cost comparison between GMA Garnet and alternative abrasives. This tool uses rigorous product testing and independent third-party analysis to give you an accurate and detailed cost breakdown, helping you make an informed decision. The calculator presents the data in easy-to-understand charts and tables, and you can download the report as a PDF for future reference.

Lower Consumption

What factors affect abrasive consumption rates, and how does the hardness of GMA Garnet impact its consumption compared to slag abrasives?

Several factors influence abrasive consumption rates, including the type and hardness of the abrasive, blasting pressure, the distance between the nozzle and the surface, surface conditions, and the presence of coatings or contaminants. GMA Garnet, with a hardness of 7.5-8.0 on the Mohs scale, is significantly more durable than slag abrasives. This increased durability means GMA Garnet breaks down less during use, resulting in lower consumption rates. In contrast, slag abrasives break down more quickly, requiring more frequent replenishment and leading to higher overall consumption.

Yes, GMA Garnet is highly recyclable and can be reused multiple times without significant performance loss. This ability to recycle reduces the need for fresh abrasive, significantly lowering overall consumption rates and costs. Additionally, GMA Garnet offers a Return Program, where spent abrasive is collected, cleaned, and reprocessed for further use. This program ensures high recovery rates and maximizes the usability of each batch of abrasive, further driving down consumption and associated costs. Slag abrasives, however, are less recyclable due to their rapid breakdown and higher dust generation, leading to higher consumption and disposal costs. Refer to your GMA Sales Representative for more information on this program.

GMA Garnet’s lower consumption rate leads to substantial cost savings across several areas. Firstly, less abrasive is used per project, resulting in direct material cost savings. Additionally, the reduced need for frequent abrasive replenishment minimizes downtime, lowering labor costs and increasing operational efficiency. The high recyclability of GMA Garnet further reduces material costs as it can be reused multiple times. Lower dust generation improves visibility and safety, reducing cleanup time and costs. Additionally, less wear and tear on equipment due to lower dust levels and less abrasive usage translates to lower maintenance and replacement costs. These combined factors contribute to significant overall cost savings.

GMA Garnet typically results in much lower consumption rates compared to slag abrasives. Due to its superior hardness and durability, GMA Garnet lasts longer and can cut through tough coatings more efficiently, meaning you need significantly less abrasive to complete a job. In many cases, using GMA Garnet can reduce abrasive consumption by up to 3 times or more compared to slag abrasives. This reduced consumption translates into fewer material purchases, lower transportation costs, and less frequent need for abrasive replenishment, ultimately leading to substantial cost savings and improved project efficiency.

Low Dust Blasting

Why is dust generation an important factor in abrasive blasting operations?

Dust generation significantly impacts the safety, visibility, and environmental conditions of the worksite. High levels of dust can disrupt other trades, contaminate the site, and pose severe health risks to workers. Dust can carry toxic particles such as arsenic, cadmium, and beryllium, which can cause lung damage and other serious health issues if inhaled.

Using an abrasive that produces less dust, like GMA Garnet™, improves visibility, creates a safer work environment, and reduces contamination risks.

Dust generation significantly impacts the safety, visibility, and environmental conditions of the worksite. High levels of dust can disrupt other trades, contaminate the site, and pose severe health risks to workers. Dust can carry toxic particles such as arsenic, cadmium, and beryllium, which can cause lung damage and other serious health issues if inhaled.

Using an abrasive that produces less dust, like GMA Garnet™, can improve visibility, create a safer work environment, and reduce contamination risks.

Using GMA Garnet for abrasive blasting offers several benefits related to dust control:

  • Reduced Dust Production: GMA Garnet generates up to 80% less dust than slag abrasives, reducing contamination and health risks.
  • Improved Visibility: Lower dust levels enhance operators’ visibility, allowing for more precise and efficient blasting.
  • Safer Environment: Less dust means a safer environment for nearby workers, reducing their exposure to hazardous particles.
  • Easier Containment: The dust produced by GMA Garnet is easier to contain and manage, minimizing the impact on other trades and surrounding areas.
Yes, GMA Garnet is ideal for use in enclosed or confined spaces due to its low dust generation. This improves visibility and air quality, making it safer for operators working in such conditions.

Worker Safety

Why is dust generation an important factor in abrasive blasting operations?

Dust generation significantly impacts the safety, visibility, and environmental conditions of the worksite. High levels of dust can disrupt other trades, contaminate the site, and pose severe health risks to workers. Dust can carry toxic particles such as arsenic, cadmium, and beryllium, which can cause lung damage and other serious health issues if inhaled. Therefore, using an abrasive that produces less dust, like GMA Garnet, can improve visibility, create a safer work environment, and reduce contamination risks.

GMA Garnet produces up to 80% less dust compared to slag abrasives. Slag abrasives, being waste products of burning coal or producing metals, are highly friable and shatter into fine particles upon impact, creating large amounts of dust. This dust can reduce visibility, contaminate the site, and expose workers to harmful heavy metals. In contrast, GMA Garnet is much tougher and more resistant to fracturing, resulting in significantly less dust production, making it a cleaner and safer option for abrasive blasting.

Using GMA Garnet for abrasive blasting offers several benefits related to dust control:

  • Reduced Dust Production: GMA Garnet generates up to 80% less dust than slag abrasives, reducing contamination and health risks.
  • Improved Visibility: Lower dust levels enhance visibility for operators, allowing for more precise and efficient blasting.
  • Safer Environment: Less dust means a safer environment for nearby workers, reducing their exposure to hazardous particles.
  • Easier Containment: The dust produced by GMA Garnet is easier to contain and manage, minimizing the impact on other trades and surrounding areas.
GMA Garnet reduces occupational hazards by generating less dust, which minimizes respiratory risks and improves visibility. This leads to a safer working environment and reduces the likelihood of accidents and health issues.

Surface Quality

I can achieve the surface profile required with “cheaper” abrasives; why should I use GMA Garnet and get the same result?

While cheaper abrasives may meet your needs, GMA Garnet offers significant advantages:

  • Superior Performance: GMA Garnet provides a more consistent surface profile and higher quality finish due to its uniform particle size and superior hardness. This improves coating adhesion and the longevity of treated surfaces.
  • Lower Consumption Rates: GMA Garnet’s hardness and durability mean it breaks down less during use, resulting in lower consumption rates and material costs.
  • Recyclability: GMA Garnet can be recycled multiple times without significant performance loss, unlike cheaper abrasives that break down quickly. Our Return Program ensures high recovery rates, maximizing usability.
  • Health and Safety: GMA Garnet generates significantly less dust, improving visibility, reducing respiratory hazards, and contributing to a cleaner work environment.
  • Cost Savings: Lower consumption rates, reduced downtime for abrasive replenishment, and decreased cleanup costs translate to substantial overall savings. Less wear and tear on equipment due to lower dust levels also reduces maintenance and replacement costs.
  • Environmental Impact: GMA Garnet is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, with high recyclability reducing waste and environmental footprint.
  • Technical Support: GMA provides a dedicated technical team to assist you in optimizing your blasting equipment and techniques, ensuring you achieve the best results and enhance productivity.
As a contractor, you can work with the asset owner or engineering firm to address concerns. Involving GMA’s technical team can help conduct testing protocols with your abrasive supplier and coating manufacturer. Our experts can assist in adjusting equipment settings and optimizing blasting techniques to ensure that GMA Garnet meets the required specifications. Using GMA Garnet can also contribute to better coating longevity and extended maintenance schedules, saving money over time. By providing solid advice and innovative solutions, you position yourself as a contractor or supplier of choice, enhancing your reputation and customer satisfaction.

Focusing on surface preparation is crucial for the success of your project:

  • Preventing Coating Failures: Up to 80% of coating failures are due to inadequate surface preparation. Proper surface preparation ensures the substrate is clean, dry, and properly profiled, essential for effective coating adhesion. Contaminants like dust, oils, and rust can cause adhesion failures and under-coating corrosion if not properly removed.
  • Cost Efficiency: Although surface preparation can represent 30% to 60% of the total project cost, this investment is crucial for long-term savings. Proper surface preparation enhances coating performance and longevity, reducing the need for costly repairs and maintenance.
  • Improved Coating Longevity: Effective surface preparation ensures coatings adhere well and function as intended, leading to extended maintenance schedules and better overall durability of the coated surfaces. This not only saves money but also enhances the reliability and performance of the coated structure.
  • Technical Support and Compliance: If specifications require certain profile heights and preparation techniques, involving technical experts like those from GMA can help ensure compliance. GMA can assist with testing protocols and optimizing blasting techniques to meet specifications, leading to better results and making you a contractor or supplier of choice.
  • Enhanced Reputation: Focusing on proper surface preparation positions you as a knowledgeable and reliable contractor, enhancing your reputation with asset owners and engineering firms, potentially leading to more business opportunities.

While we may offer some 20/40 or 30/60 mesh products, the market has evolved to favor engineered blends that provide superior performance and efficiency. These traditional mesh sizes were originally developed to support general production and processing needs. In contrast, GMA Garnet's engineered blends are specifically designed for optimal cutting efficiency and cleaning power, tailored to achieve precise specifications. Here’s how you can transition to GMA Garnet while maintaining your specifications:

  • Engineered Blends: Our range of engineered blends is designed to meet and often exceed industry standards. These blends provide the ideal balance between cutting speed and surface finish, ensuring that you achieve the desired surface profile and cleanliness.
  • Technical Consultation: Our technical experts can help identify the GMA Garnet product that best matches your requirements. They can provide detailed information on how our blends can be used to achieve your specific specifications.
  • Testing and Demonstrations: We offer testing and demonstration services to show how our products perform under your specific conditions. This will allow you to see firsthand how GMA Garnet can meet or exceed your current specifications.
  • Equipment Adjustment: To optimize the use of our engineered blends, we can assist you in adjusting your blasting equipment. Proper nozzle selection, pressure settings, and blasting techniques can significantly enhance performance with GMA Garnet.
  • Market Evolution: The shift from traditional mesh sizes to engineered blends reflects advancements in abrasive technology aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs. GMA Garnet’s blends are designed for specific functions, ensuring you achieve the precise results needed for your applications.

 

By utilizing our engineered blends and leveraging our technical support, you can ensure that your blasting operations stay within specifications while benefiting from improved productivity, lower consumption rates, and overall cost savings. GMA Garnet's advanced abrasives offer a modern solution tailored to the evolving needs of the market.

Sustainability

How does GMA Garnet contribute to asset and coating integrity?

GMA Garnet’s superior hardness and angularity ensure a consistent surface profile, which is crucial for optimal coating adhesion. This results in enhanced coating integrity and longevity, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and repairs. Additionally, GMA Garnet produces less embedment and a uniform finish, further improving the quality and durability of the coating. This contributes to better asset protection and extended service life.

GMA Garnet offers significant environmental, health, and safety benefits:

  • Environmental Benefits: GMA Garnet is a natural, non-toxic mineral with high recyclability, reducing waste and the environmental footprint of abrasive blasting operations.
  • Health Benefits: Lower dust generation reduces the risk of respiratory issues for workers and minimizes exposure to hazardous substances.
  • Safety Benefits: Improved visibility due to reduced dust levels enhances operational safety, allowing for more precise and efficient blasting. This leads to a cleaner and safer work environment.

GMA’s disposal solutions and rewards program, available in the Middle East, GAC, and parts of the USA, offer several benefits:

  • Disposal Solutions: GMA provides environmentally friendly disposal options for spent garnet, ensuring safe and responsible waste management.
  • Rewards Program: GMA’s Return Program allows customers to send used garnet for reprocessing. This not only reduces disposal costs but also provides an opportunity to receive rewards or rebates based on the volume of garnet returned. This program encourages sustainable practices and helps lower overall operational costs.
Customers send used garnet from waterjet cutting or abrasive blasting operations to one of GMA's collection points. The used garnet is then reprocessed in state-of-the-art facilities. To ensure the garnet is safe for transport and processing, a 100-gram sample must be tested with a third-party environmental laboratory for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA 8 Metals) via Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) analysis. Additionally, a Sieve Analysis is conducted to determine if the garnet is viable for reprocessing. If suitable and safe, GMA will issue a return authorization after completing a simple Garnet Profile Form.
GMA reprocesses the spent garnet in the same way as freshly mined garnet, adhering to strict standards and testing protocols to ensure high quality. This process ensures the reused garnet meets the same performance criteria as new garnet.
The poor quality of recycled garnet you experienced was likely due to dry recycling methods. GMA uses both wet and dry processes similar to those used for virgin material, ensuring high-quality reprocessed garnet. Advancements in processing technology and rigorous testing ensure that GMA's recycled garnet performs comparably to new garnet.
GMA's recycling process restores abrasive to a like-new state. The reprocessed garnet meets military specifications, Qualified Products List (QPL) standards, and California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval, guaranteeing its quality and performance. This ensures compliance with stringent specifications and provides assurance of the garnet's efficacy.
GMA operates laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technology and employs rigorous testing protocols. Additionally, reputable third-party testing is utilized to verify the quality and performance of the reprocessed garnet. This thorough quality control process ensures that the recycled garnet meets the high standards required for effective abrasive blasting and cutting.
Yes, you can return your used garnet to us through our Garnet Return Program, provided it is GMA product. We ensure the purity and quality of the returned garnet because we know the source. However, not all US states and locations qualify for the program due to high logistics costs. Please contact GMA to determine if you qualify for the return garnet program and to understand the specific requirements and logistics involved.

Lower Overall Project Costs

Addressing Concerns About GMA Garnet Pricing and Project Costs

GMA Garnet pricing is significantly higher than other abrasives. How can it possibly be cheaper for a project?

While GMA Garnet has a higher upfront cost compared to other abrasives like slag, the true cost of a project involves more than just the price per ton of abrasive. GMA Garnet’s superior efficiency, lower consumption rates, reduced labor costs, decreased equipment wear, and minimal cleanup expenses can result in overall project costs that are lower than those using cheaper abrasives. The key is that GMA Garnet delivers more value per pound used, meaning you need less material to achieve the same or better results, which can lead to substantial savings across the entire project.

Additionally, GMA offers technical support to help you optimize your blasting process. If you’re skeptical about the potential savings, GMA can arrange a demonstration or trial against your current abrasive. This will allow you to see firsthand the difference GMA Garnet can make. We also provide training for your project team to ensure they are fully equipped to maximize the benefits of using GMA Garnet. It’s important to note that there is a technical difference between blasting with garnet and slags, and our experts are available to guide your team through the transition to ensure you get the most out of the switch.

Consider a scenario where you use GMA Garnet versus a cheaper slag abrasive. With GMA Garnet, the consumption rate is much lower due to its durability and cutting efficiency. For example, if a project using slag requires 10 tons of abrasive, the same project might only need 3-4 tons of GMA Garnet. Additionally, GMA Garnet generates less dust, reducing cleanup time and costs. It also causes less wear and tear on equipment, lowering maintenance costs. When you factor in reduced labor hours due to faster blasting speeds and the ability to recycle GMA Garnet multiple times, the overall savings can outweigh the initial higher cost.
The TruCost Abrasive Blasting Calculator is designed to give you a comprehensive comparison of project costs when using GMA Garnet versus other abrasives. It takes into account all relevant factors, including labor, material consumption, equipment costs, disposal, and project specifications. By entering your specific project details, the calculator provides a clear and accurate cost analysis that often shows how GMA Garnet’s efficiency and other cost-saving benefits can result in a lower total project cost, even when starting with a higher price per ton.
GMA Garnet’s efficiency comes from its hardness, angularity, and consistent particle size, which allow it to cut through tough coatings more quickly and with fewer passes. This means you complete the job faster, reducing labor hours and equipment usage. The reduced dust generation also means less time spent on cleanup and lower risks of equipment clogging or damage, further decreasing overall costs. While the initial price of GMA Garnet may be higher, these efficiencies often lead to significant savings in the total cost of a project.

Yes, cheaper slag abrasives often come with hidden costs that can increase your overall project expenses. These include:

  • Higher Consumption Rates: Cheaper abrasives may break down faster, requiring more material to complete the job.
  • Increased Cleanup and Disposal Costs: Higher dust levels from slag abrasives lead to more extensive cleanup efforts and higher disposal costs.
  • Reduced Reuse: Slag abrasives generally go into roadbase and cannot be recycled.  Garnet can be reprocessed 3-5 times and reused as another abrasive in abrasive blasting or waterjet cutting.
  • Greater Equipment Wear: The abrasiveness and dust from slag can cause more wear and tear on blasting equipment, leading to increased maintenance and replacement costs.
  • Potential Health and Safety Risks: Slag abrasives often contain contaminants that can pose health risks to workers, possibly resulting in higher healthcare costs.

Speak to your local GMA Garnet™ expert

Contact us
eyebrow

Lorem ipsum dolor sit

Donec consequat dolor vulputate enim rhoncus, non maximus ligula venenatis?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eget maximus sem. Suspendisse eget felis dolor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam egestas justo vitae tempus interdum. Etiam blandit et lectus non malesuada.

Sed lacinia ex id risus scelerisque fermentum. Praesent tellus tortor, placerat vitae nulla a, fringilla rutrum ex. Nunc semper et risus sed convallis. Morbi sollicitudin aliquam felis a faucibus. Nullam ut dictum elit, et feugiat elit.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eget maximus sem. Suspendisse eget felis dolor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam egestas justo vitae tempus interdum. Etiam blandit et lectus non malesuada.

Sed lacinia ex id risus scelerisque fermentum. Praesent tellus tortor, placerat vitae nulla a, fringilla rutrum ex. Nunc semper et risus sed convallis. Morbi sollicitudin aliquam felis a faucibus. Nullam ut dictum elit, et feugiat elit.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eget maximus sem. Suspendisse eget felis dolor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam egestas justo vitae tempus interdum. Etiam blandit et lectus non malesuada.

Sed lacinia ex id risus scelerisque fermentum. Praesent tellus tortor, placerat vitae nulla a, fringilla rutrum ex. Nunc semper et risus sed convallis. Morbi sollicitudin aliquam felis a faucibus. Nullam ut dictum elit, et feugiat elit.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec eget maximus sem. Suspendisse eget felis dolor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam egestas justo vitae tempus interdum. Etiam blandit et lectus non malesuada.

Sed lacinia ex id risus scelerisque fermentum. Praesent tellus tortor, placerat vitae nulla a, fringilla rutrum ex. Nunc semper et risus sed convallis. Morbi sollicitudin aliquam felis a faucibus. Nullam ut dictum elit, et feugiat elit.