ilmenite tailings are a granite dark gray and brown mineral and constitute a waste product of a beneficiation plant of an ilmenite ore ( fetio 3 ) metallurgical complex . the extracted ore from the mine , containing mainly anorthosite combined with iron and titanium oxides , is first crushed and , then , separated mechanically with spirals . the lightest particles , containing mainly silicates , go directly to the tailings while the heaviest particles , containing mainly ilmenite , are sent to rotary dryers . during the drying process , hematite ( fe 2 o 3 ) and pyrite ( fes 2 ) are transformed into magnetite ( fe 3 o 4 ) with magnetic properties . titanium is bonded chemically to the iron oxides . the magnetic and non - magnetic parts of the ore are separated through a magnetic separator . the magnetic ore , containing mainly the iron and titanium oxides , is sent to the reduction plant of the metallurgical complex to be melted , separated , and purified while the non - magnetic part , containing mainly silicates , goes to the tailings . to be used for blast cleaning , the ilmenite tailing is preferably washed , dried , and screened . it was surprisingly been found that ilmenite tailing can be used for blast cleaning since it is characterized by a high hardness giving a high impact resistance ( 6 . 0 - 6 . 5 mohs for the ilmenite tailing comparatively to 6 . 5 - 7 . 0 mohs for silica sand ). its density is approximately 1500 kg · m − 3 . moreover , it respects the governmental norms for dust emissions since silica is strongly bonded with other compounds or elements ( sodium , aluminum , potassium , magnesium , iodine , and fluorine ). consequently , free silica released is low . furthermore , environmental norms for dust emission are met for silver , aluminum , arsenic , barium , calcium , cadmium , cobalt , chrome , copper , iron , lithium , magnesium , manganese , nickel , lead , tellurium , titanium , thallium , and zinc . finally , ilmenite tailing is cost efficient since it is a waste from a previous industry and no further fragmentation ( crushing or grinding ) or complex treatment is required . to improve blast cleaning efficiency , the ilmenite tailing particles are preferably screened and separated in different sizes . in accordance with the invention , the maximum efficiency is reached for particles between 10 mesh and 250 mesh ( 1 . 68 mm and 68 μm ). the bigger particles are efficient to clean objects that are covered with a thick or highly adhesive layer of oxides while the finer ones are efficient to clean objects that are covered with a thin or new layer of oxides . using bigger particles requires a bigger nozzle diameter . for example , ilmenite tailing particles characterized by 60 % of the particles retained on 10 mesh to 20 mesh ( 1 . 68 mm to 841 μm ) sieves can be used to eliminate thick or highly adhesive rust from an object . to blast the particles on the object , a nozzle with a minimum diameter of ¼ ″ ( 0 . 635 cm ) is recommended . to eliminate rust from trucks , industrial equipment , or in deep cavities ( hollow ), ilmenite tailing particles characterized by 60 % of the particles retained on 20 mesh to 30 mesh ( 841 μm to 550 μm ) sieves are used and a nozzle with a minimum diameter of { fraction ( 3 / 16 )}″ ( 0 . 476 cm ) is recommended . for bridges , boats , heavy machinery , trucks , and industrial equipment , ilmenite tailing particles characterized by 60 % of the particles retained on 16 mesh to 60 mesh ( 1 mm to 250 μm ) sieves are used and a nozzle with a minimum diameter of { fraction ( 3 / 16 )}″ ( 0 . 476 cm ) is also recommended . ilmenite tailing particles characterized by 60 % of the particles retained on 30 mesh to 60 mesh ( 550 μm to 250 μm ) sieves or 35 mesh to 70 mesh ( 420 μm to 200 μm ) sieves give good results for new steel , cars , and weak rust when it is blasted with a { fraction ( 3 / 16 )}″ nozzle minimum . it should be well understood that the previous illustrations are given as examples . a person skilled in the art might envisage several variants for specific applications . therefore , the previous description should be considered as illustrations of invention rather than limitative uses . for good results , the ilmenite tailings must be kept dry and not contaminated to ensure a continuous flow . a small sieve is recommended on the ilmenite tailing tank to avoid too larger particles . the ilmenite tailing is non - explosive , uninflammable , stable under normal operating conditions . it does not present specific danger for health , except when small particles are located in the eyes . in this case , normal medical cares should be applied . in case of accidental discharge , the same procedures than for the sand should be applied . similar precautions as a person skilled in the art would apply for other blasting abrasives should be applied when using ilmenite tailings for blast cleaning . it is understood that the invention is not limited to the above preferred embodiments and that it covers any modifications thereto , within the scope of the appended claims .