| M Sand (Manufactured Sand) |
River Sand |
| Manufactured in factory. |
Naturally available on river banks. |
| Angular and has rougher texture. Angular aggregates demands more water. Water demand can be compensated with cement content. |
Smoother texture with better shape. Demands less water. |
| Moisture is available only in water washed M Sand. |
Moisture is trapped in between the particles which is good for concrete purposes. |
| Higher concrete strength compared to river sand used for concreting. |
Lesser concrete concrete compared to M Sand |
| Zero silt |
Minimum permissible silt content is 3%. Anything more than 3% is harmful to the concrete durability. We can expect 5 – 20% slit content in medium quality river sand. |
| Since it is artificially manufactured. |
1 – 6% of minimum over sized materials can be expected. Like pebble stones. |
| Marine Products 0% |
1 – 2% like sea shells, tree barks etc., |
| Though M Sand uses natural coarse aggregates to form, it causes less damage to environment as compared to river sand. |
Harmful to environment. Eco imbalances, reduce ground water level and rivers water gets dried up. |
| Probability of adulteration is less. |
High probability of adulteration since filtered sand (a type of pre-washed sand which contains high silt contents) are mixed together. As a rule, supply shortage always brings adulterer products to the market. |
| Highly recommended for RCC purposes and brick/ block works. |
Recommended for RCC, plastering and brick/ block work. |
| Better quality control since manufactured in a controlled environment. |
No control over quality since it is naturally occurring. Same river bed sand can have differences in silt contents. |
