Cluster B2 · Technical Specifications
Black Beauty Blasting Media Specifications: Technical Data Sheet Breakdown
A complete parameter-by-parameter guide to Black Beauty coal slag technical data sheets — hardness, gradation, chemistry, specific gravity, and how to compare suppliers using TDS data.
1. Why Technical Data Sheets Matter in Procurement
In industrial blasting procurement, brand names are marketing; technical data sheets are evidence. A project specification requiring “Black Beauty-grade coal slag compliant with SSPC AB 1” does not guarantee that every bag delivered from every supplier meets the same performance standard. The Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and accompanying Certificate of Conformance (CoC) are the documents that demonstrate compliance — and the documents that protect you legally if a coating failure occurs on your project.
This guide decodes every parameter you will encounter in a Black Beauty TDS, explains what each parameter measures and why it matters, and provides a framework for comparing competing supplier data sheets objectively. For the broader purchasing guide, see: Black Beauty Abrasive Blasting Media: The Complete Buyer’s Guide.
2. Physical Properties Explained
| Paramètres | Typical Value | Test Method | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dureté Mohs | 6.0 – 7.0 | Mohs scratch test (comparative scale) | Determines cutting ability. Higher hardness = faster cutting of harder substrates. Coal slag at 6–7 is sufficient for steel but softer than garnet (7.5–8.5) or Al₂O₃ (9.0) |
| Gravité spécifique | 2.6 – 2.9 g/cm³ | ASTM C128 / pycnometer | Influences particle kinetic energy at a given blast velocity. Higher SG = more impact energy per particle. Affects coverage rate calculations |
| Densité en vrac | 85 – 100 lb/ft³ (1,360–1,600 kg/m³) | ASTM C29 (jigged/loose) | Determines volume per unit weight — affects pot-loading volumes, bag weights, and freight cost calculations |
| Teneur en eau | < 0.5% | Oven drying / moisture balance | Excess moisture causes clumping in blast pots, inconsistent media flow, and accelerated nozzle corrosion. Critical for consistent blasting performance |
| Forme des particules | Angular (conchoidally fractured) | Visual/microscopy (ASTM F1559) | Angular particles create deeper anchor profiles and faster cutting than rounded particles at the same mass and velocity. The defining morphological advantage of coal slag over spherical media |
3. Particle Size and Gradation Data
Particle size distribution is specified as a mesh fraction (e.g., 12/40) and confirmed by sieve analysis according to ASTM C136 or equivalent. The TDS should show the percentage of material passing and retained at each intermediate sieve, not just the nominal upper and lower bounds. A tightly controlled distribution produces consistent anchor profiles; a wide, poorly controlled distribution produces variable and unpredictable profiles.
| Grade | Mesh Range | Min. % on Coarser Sieve | Max. % Passing Finer Sieve | Typical Median Particle Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Fine | 30/60 | 95% retained on 60-mesh | <5% passing 60-mesh | ~0.40 mm |
| Fine | 20/40 | 95% retained on 40-mesh | <5% passing 40-mesh | ~0.60 mm |
| Medium | 12/40 | 90% retained on 40-mesh | <5% passing 40-mesh | ~0.90 mm |
| Coarse | 8/16 | 95% retained on 16-mesh | <5% passing 16-mesh | ~1.70 mm |
What to look for in the sieve data: The percentage of fines (material passing the lower mesh boundary) is the most important quality indicator. High fines content increases dust generation, reduces effective cutting particles, and can cause media bridging in blast pots. Premium suppliers keep fines below 3%; acceptable suppliers below 5%. Reject any TDS showing fines above 8%.
4. Chemical Composition Parameters
| Paramètres | Acceptable Range | Test Method | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Crystalline SiO₂ | < 0.1% | X-ray diffraction (XRD) — NIOSH 7500 | The primary health compliance parameter. Must be confirmed by XRD, not just total silica. Amorphous and crystalline silica cannot be distinguished by chemical analysis alone |
| Total SiO₂ | 40–55% | X-ray fluorescence (XRF) | Total silica content; the bulk of this is amorphous (non-hazardous glass) from the slag vitrification process |
| Al₂O₃ | 20–28% | XRF | Higher alumina correlates with better hardness and cutting speed. Premium grades should be at the upper end of this range |
| Fe₂O₃ / FeO | 10–18% | XRF | Iron oxide content is responsible for the characteristic dark color and contributes to specific gravity |
| CaO + MgO | 4–10% | XRF | Calcium iron silicate grades (higher CaO) demonstrate improved durability; relevant for suppliers marketing “Platinum” or enhanced-durability variants |
| Conductivity | < 1,000 μS/cm (SSPC AB 1 limit) | ASTM D1125 or equivalent water extract conductivity test | High conductivity indicates soluble salt content — ionic contaminants that accelerate corrosion under coatings. Critical for immersion and marine applications |
| Oil Content | None detectable | Solvent extraction / visual observation | Oil contamination on abrasive media transfers to the blasted surface, catastrophically reducing coating adhesion |
5. Performance Parameters: Profile and Productivity
| Paramètres | Value Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor Profile at Rated Parameters | 1.0–6.0 Mil (grade-dependent) | Must be measured empirically on the specific substrate under the specified blasting conditions; TDS values are starting references, not guarantees on every substrate |
| Coverage Rate (approximate) | 50–100 ft²/hr per nozzle (grade and condition dependent) | Field productivity benchmark; varies significantly with substrate condition, nozzle pressure, and operator technique |
| Media Consumption Rate | 0.4–0.8 lb/ft² (maintenance blasting) | Higher for heavily corroded substrates; lower for lightly rusted or previously primed surfaces |
| Reuse Cycles | 1 (disposable) to 2 (reclaim room) | Coal slag fractures on impact; very limited reusability compared to steel grit or aluminum oxide |
6. Compliance Parameters
A complete TDS from a reputable supplier will include compliance statements for all applicable standards. At minimum, look for:
- SSPC AB 1 compliance statement — with the relevant test data (conductivity, oil content, particle size) confirming compliance
- TCLP test results — EPA Method 1311 results for the eight RCRA characteristic metals (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver)
- MIL-A-22262B(SH) QPL listing — for Extra Fine and Fine grades where military contracts require this
- Free silica XRD results — batch-specific or representative production sample results; must specify “free crystalline silica by XRD” not “total silica”
7. Full TDS by Grade: Reference Tables
| Property | Extra Fine (30/60) | Fine (20/40) | Medium (12/40) | Coarse (8/16) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dureté Mohs | 6-7 | 6-7 | 6-7 | 6-7 |
| Specific Gravity (g/cm³) | 2.6–2.9 | 2.6–2.9 | 2.6–2.9 | 2.6–2.9 |
| Bulk Density (lb/ft³) | 88–95 | 88–98 | 90–100 | 88–98 |
| Teneur en eau | <0.5% | <0.5% | <0.5% | <0.5% |
| Free Crystalline SiO₂ | <0.1% | <0.1% | <0.1% | <0.1% |
| Anchor Profile (Mil) | 1.0–2.6 | 2.0–3.8 | 3.0–4.8 | 4.0–6.0+ |
| Min. Nozzle Orifice | 1/8 in. | 3/16 in. | 1/4 in. | 5/16 in. |
| MIL-A-22262B Qualified | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| SSPC AB 1 Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
8. How to Compare Supplier TDS Data
When evaluating multiple suppliers, use this prioritized comparison framework:
- Verify free silica by XRD — ensure the test method is X-ray diffraction (NIOSH Method 7500), not total silica by wet chemistry
- Check fines content — the percentage of material below the nominal lower mesh boundary; lower is better
- Review TCLP results — all eight characteristic metals should be well below EPA thresholds; request actual numeric results, not just “passes TCLP”
- Confirm conductivity — SSPC AB 1 limit is 1,000 μS/cm; premium suppliers typically show <500 μS/cm
- Assess alumina content — suppliers sourcing from higher-alumina coal sources will show Al₂O₃ in the 24–28% range; lower-alumina sources (20–22%) will produce slightly slower cutting
- Verify oil-free certification — any detectable oil content in the media is disqualifying for most coating applications
9. Red Flags in TDS Documentation
- Free silica reported as “total silica” — these are completely different parameters
- No TCLP numeric data — “TCLP non-hazardous” without actual test results is unverifiable
- Missing sieve distribution data — a single mesh range designation without intermediate sieve percentages cannot confirm gradation quality
- No SSPC AB 1 compliance statement or test date — specification-grade projects require current conformance data, not historical documentation
- Conductivity data missing — particularly concerning for marine or immersion-service applications where ionic contamination is critical
Part of the Black Beauty Knowledge Series by Jiangsu Henglihong Technology Co., Ltd.
Return to the overview: Complete Buyer’s Guide · Related: Grit Size Chart · Safety & Compliance Data
Return to the overview: Complete Buyer’s Guide · Related: Grit Size Chart · Safety & Compliance Data
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