The selection of sand is one of the major tasks during construction. In the construction industry, the quality and type of sand used play a crucial role in determining the strength and durability of the structure. Two commonly used sands are M Sand (Manufactured Sand) and P Sand (Plastering Sand). Both these sands are produced using advanced technology to ensure consistency and quality, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.
Read this blog to understand the difference between M Sand and P Sand.
What is M Sand (Manufactured Sand)?
M-sand’s full form is manufactured sand. As the name implies, M Sand is an artificially produced alternative to natural river sand, made by crushing hard granite stones into fine aggregates. It is used as a construction material in place of river sand, particularly for concrete, mortar, and block work.
M Sand Production Process
The production process involves the following major stages:
- Crushing: Large stones are fed into crushers, such as Vertical Shaft Impact (VSI) crushers, to break them down into smaller aggregates.
- Further Crushing: The aggregates are then further crushed to achieve the desired sand size using machines like Rotopactors.
- Screening and Grading: The crushed material is screened to separate particles by size, ensuring only sand-sized grains are selected.
- Washing: Finally, the sand is washed to remove dust, clay, and other impurities, resulting in clean, high-quality construction sand.
Properties of M-Sand:
- Grain Shape: M Sand particles are typically cubical or angular, providing a rough texture. This shape allows for better bonding in concrete compared to the rounded grains of river sand.
- Gradation and Particle Size: M Sand is finely graded, with most particles ranging from 150 microns to 4.75 mm, conforming to Indian Standards (IS 383:2016) for concrete and masonry applications.
- Density: The density of M Sand falls between the range of 1,750 to 1,850 kg/m³.
- Specific Gravity: The specific gravity of M Sand will depend on the source of the boulder or rock from which it was derived. However, generally, the specific gravity of M Sand is between 2.5 and 2.9.
- Low Silt and Clay Content: The washing process ensures that M Sand contains very little silt or clay—usually less than 3%—making it cleaner than natural river sand.
- Strength and Durability: The angular shape and purity of M Sand contribute to higher compressive and flexural strength in concrete, enhancing durability and structural integrity.
Common Uses of M-Sand:
M sand is a popular alternative to the scarce and costly river sand. It is widely used in mortar and concrete mixtures. They are commonly used in concrete work, Brick/block masonry, and RCC structures.
Advantages of M-Sand:
- Eco-Friendly Alternative: Reduces reliance on river sand, conserving natural resources.
- Consistent Quality: Uniformly graded and quality-controlled for reliable performance.
- Improved Strength & Workability: Angular particles enhance bonding in concrete mixes.
What is P Sand (Plastering Sand)?
P Sand, or Plastering Sand, is a fine-grade manufactured sand specifically produced for plastering applications in construction. It is made by crushing granite rocks into fine particles and then carefully grading and washing them to remove impurities like dust, clay, and silt. It is specifically engineered to provide optimal consistency and fineness, ensuring superior bonding and a smooth finish in the construction.
P Sand Production Process
- Selection of Raw Material: You need to choose high-quality, impurity-free rocks as the source material.
- Crushing: The rocks will be crushed in multiple stages using primary, secondary, and tertiary crushers to achieve a particle size of less than 2.36 mm.
- Screening: The crushed material is passed through vibrating screens to separate and grade the particles by size, ensuring only the finest grains are selected for plastering use.
- Washing: The sand is washed thoroughly to remove silt, clay, dust, and other impurities, resulting in a clean product with low contamination.
- Drying and Grading: The final product is dried and further graded to achieve uniformity and make storage easier.
Properties of P-sand:
- Ultra-Fine Texture: P Sand consists of very fine particles, typically between 0.15 mm and 2.36 mm, which makes it much finer than M Sand or regular river sand.
- Smooth Finish: Its fine and uniform granules help create a smooth, even surface when used for plastering, making it ideal for finishing walls and ceilings.
- Low Impurities: The extensive washing and grading processes ensure that P sand has minimal clay, silt, and dust, reducing the risk of weak plaster or surface defects.
- Density: The density of P Sand ranges between 1,440 to 1,710 kg/m³.
- Specific Gravity: Its specific gravity is typically around 2.63 to 2.6.
- Better Water Retention: The fine particles of P sand help retain water in the plaster mix, enhancing workability and enabling smoother application.
Common Uses of P-sand:
P Sand is primarily used for plastering both inside and outside surfaces of buildings, ensuring a level and attractive finish. Also, it is the preferred choice for projects where a flawless, smooth surface is required before painting or decorative treatments.
Advantages of P-sand:
- Minimizes Cracks: Fine, uniform grains ensure a dense mix that reduces drying cracks.
- Stronger Bonding: Clean texture improves adhesion with cement for a durable finish.
- Smooth Application: High water retention offers better workability and a polished surface.
Key Differences Between M Sand and P Sand
| Parameter | M Sand (Manufactured Sand) | P Sand (Plastering Sand) |
| Manufacturing | M Sand is made by crushing hard stones like granite or basalt into small pieces using machines. | P Sand is made by further processing and filtering sand to make it much finer and smoother, often using extra washing and grading steps. |
| Grain Size | The grains of M Sand are bigger and rough, usually ranging from 0.15 mm to 4.75 mm in size. | The grains of P Sand are very fine and soft, usually less than 2.36 mm and often close to 0.15 mm. |
| Texture | M Sand feels rough and the grains are sharp and angular because they are machine-crushed. | P Sand feels smooth and soft, with rounded grains, making it pleasant to touch and easy to spread. |
| Applications | M Sand is mainly used for making concrete, building walls, and other structural works where strength is needed. | P Sand is mainly used for plastering walls and ceilings, giving a smooth finish to surfaces. |
| Strength Provided | M Sand helps in making strong concrete and structures because of its rough texture and size. | P Sand is not used for adding strength but for creating smooth and even wall surfaces. |
| Water Requirement | M Sand absorbs less water, so less water is needed when mixing it for construction. | P Sand absorbs a bit more water, which helps in spreading it smoothly during plastering. |
| Cleanliness | M Sand has very little silt or clay, usually less than 3%, because it is washed during production. | P Sand is even cleaner, with almost no silt or clay, because it is specially washed and filtered. |
| Cost | M Sand is usually cost effective (Costs around ₹1400 – ₹1800 per cubic meter (approx.)) because it is produced in large quantities for general construction. | P Sand is a bit more expensive due to the extra processing needed to make it very fine and clean. (Costs ₹1500 – ₹2200 per cubic meter (approx.)) |
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice between M Sand and P Sand depends on your project’s purpose, material requirements, and finish expectations.
- For structural works such as concrete, foundations, and RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) structures, M-sand is ideal. Its coarser texture and high compressive strength make it perfect for load-bearing construction, ensuring durability and stability.
- For plastering applications, P Sand is the right choice. Its fine, uniform particles provide excellent workability and a smooth, crack-free wall finish, making it perfect for both interior and exterior surfaces. For those searching “M Sand or P Sand for plastering” or “which sand is better for plaster,” P Sand is the perfect option for smooth, aesthetic wall finishes.
Common Myths about M sand and P sand
Myth 1: M Sand is Inferior to River Sand.
No. M sand actually offers higher compressive and flexural strength compared to river sand, thanks to its angular and rough texture, which ensures superior bonding with cement and aggregates. Its consistent quality, minimal impurities, and better gradation make it more ideal for strong, durable concrete structures than river sand.
Myth 2: P Sand cannot be used for concrete.
Yes. Using P sand in concrete can compromise structural integrity, but for wall plastering and aesthetic finishes, it is the superior choice.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between M Sand and P Sand is crucial for selecting the right option for your construction needs. M Sand, with its robust strength and durability, is ideal for structural applications such as concrete production and bricklaying. On the other hand, P Sand, with its fine and smooth texture, is perfect for plastering and masonry work, ensuring a flawless and even finish. You can hire an expert construction company to make your work easier. They help you choose the appropriate type of sand for each application and ensure the quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal of your construction projects.
FAQs
No, M Sand is not considered good for plastering. Its coarse texture and angular shape prevent it from providing good adhesion properties. Thus, M Sand will not be able to offer the smooth finish typically expected of a good plastering sand material.
M Sand’s quality can be checked via visual inspection or laboratory analysis. If you cannot do laboratory analyses like sieve analysis, fineness modulus, or strength tests, you can use visual inspection techniques on-site. Some visual methods include examining the color, texture, and presence of dirt in the sand. If the color is grey or off-white, the texture is rough and angular, and there is not much dirt in the sand, it can qualify as a good quality M Sand.
Hemali Patel