On the friability of mussel shells as abrasive

The spread of raft-farming mussels in river estuaries around the world produces about 1.4 million tons shell waste which mainly ends up landfills. In addition, United Nations and European Union promote sustainable development goals (SDG) for food production, requires adequate management to analyse life cycle reuse goods materials. This work proposes use shells by-products created by canning industry as abrasive sandblasting process. One main characteristic grains is friability, determines behaviour Shells need be prepared before using sandblasting, a conditioning that involves cleaning, grinding sieving shells. purpose this examine friability mussel from two points view, effect cleaning process comparison with common material, garnet. characterisation allows foresee define most suitable applications. obtained results reveal garnet four times more friable than thanks biocomposite nature. interesting feature enlarges sand close cycles foresees promising future new abrasive.