What is the difference between artificial sand and natural sand?

What is Artificial Sand

Artificial sand be called manufactured sand or crushed sand, Its source is a quarry. It is manufactured by Crushing rocks, quarry stones or larger aggregate pieces into sand size particles in a factory or quarry.

Artificial Sand VS Natural Sand

Parameters Artificial Sand(M Sand) Natural Sand(River Sand)

Process Manufactured in factory. Naturally available on river banks.

Shape Artificial Sand(M Sand) The shape of crushed sand is cubical and angular and has a rough texture and hence better for concrete.

Shape Natural Sand(River Sand) Smoother texture with better shape. Demands less water.

Concrete Strength Artificial Sand(M Sand) Higher concrete strength compared to river sand used for concreting.

Concrete Strength Natural Sand(River Sand) Lesser concrete concrete compared to M Sand

Eco Friendly Artificial Sand(M Sand) Though manufactured sand uses natural coarse aggregates to form, it causes less damage to environment as compared to river sand.

Eco Friendly Natural Sand(River Sand) Harmful to environment. Eco imbalances, reduce ground water level and rivers water gets dried up.

Applications Artificial Sand(M Sand) Highly recommended for RCC purposes and brick/ block works.

Applications Natural Sand(River Sand) Recommended for RCC, plastering and brick/ block work.

Quality Artificial Sand(M Sand) Better quality control since manufactured in a controlled environment.

Quality Natural Sand(River Sand) No control over quality since it is naturally occurring. Same river bed sand can have differences in silt contents.

Particle passing 75 micron Artificial Sand(M Sand) Up to 15% (IS: 383 – 1970)

Particle passing 75 micron Natural Sand(River Sand) Up to 3% (IS:383 – 1970)

Why Artificial Sand Is A Profitable Business

Manufactured sand is produced by passing boulders and stones. It goes through sand making machine for size reduction. Artificial sand making has a bright future in the construction industry. The demand for artificial sand is increasing rapidly. Here are the few reasons why artificial sand making has a good market opportunity in India.

At present, the artificial sand is nearly 50% cheaper than river sand. The river sand is being sold at around Rs 1,300 a tonne. The artificial sand is sold for half a price.

The presence of other impurities such as coal, bones, shells, mica and silt etc makes it inferior for the use in cement concrete. The decay of these materials shortens the life of the concrete. It because of the weathering effects.

Nowadays, the Government has put a ban on lifting sand from River bed.