Anyone have experience with machining carbon fiber?
I have read that power tool machining (rather than hand hacksawing with an abrasive blade)
produces a lot of highly irritating (fiber glass like) particles.
The safety of working with such material is two-fold, I think:
protect yourself (or not, but we warned you) and
keep the Hive free of contamination (and we know how carefully some areas are cleaned after use (just sayin’))
to prevent exposure of bystanders.
Anyway,
http://rhinocarbonfiber.com/carbon-fiber-safety.html
suggests the (edited) following:
The principal health hazards of carbon fiber handling are due to mechanical irritation and abrasion similar to that of glass fibers.
…the fibers can easily become a fine dust during cutting, machining or mechanical finishing and can then be released into the surrounding atmosphere.
These micro fibers … have a potential to stick into human skin or the mucous membranes (and eyes) causing irritation.
Most fibers have a coating that can also cause chemical irritation …
After curing, fibers become very rigid and may protrude from poorly machined or fractured surfaces.
Such surfaces should be handled with care, due to the potential for laceration and impregnation of fiber splinters into the skin.
Heavy style gloves should always be worn when handling materials to protect against penetration of these fibers as well as contact with resins.
Protection of eyes and throat from carbon fiber dust is paramount.
Users must wear full goggles and a dust mask to prevent dust inhalation. Dust particulate masks must be fit tested to the individual.
Protective clothing should be worn whenever dust is created (such as while machining).
The use of elastic cuffs on the protective clothing will keep dust from getting inside protective suits.
Carbon fibers are electrically conductive and dust or waste can cause short-circuits within electrical equipment.
…vacuum cleaners (designed specifically for extraction of conductive substances) should be used in conjunction with a suitable HEPA filter.
…If airborne carbon fiber dust or off-cuts penetrate into electrical switches or equipment, short circuits or electric shock may occur.
Surrounding equipment must be fully insulated at connection points, exposed wires or cables must be covered by an appropriate insulation.
Carbon fiber off cuts or debris lodging into a plug may cause electric shock or short-circuits at electric outlets when the plug is inserted.
Safe work practicesEmployees using carbon fibers or composites must be trained in its use.
- •Tasks involving dry machining of carbon fibre must be undertaken using an appropriate extraction or ventilation system.
- •When machining of carbon fiber, minimize dust or particulate generation by:
- •wet processing of the material (not on our CNC router!) - see electrical safety
- •using non-powered hand tools
- •cutting the material while still ‘green’ or partially cured.
- •Emergency eyewash stations and hand washing facilities must be available for each work area.
- •A first aid kit must be available for each work area.
- •All skin and eye contact must be avoided…
Gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection is mandatory due to the nature of working with composite materials.
Selection of appropriate protective equipment should be based on the type of task being undertaken and the associated hazards.
- Protective clothing should cover of the entire body to avoid exposure to carbon fibres or resins and solvents, eg. Tyvek Suit
- Eye protection can be provided by standard safety glasses with side shields for non-machining work. Goggles or a combination of a face shield and glasses is required for machine-based work.
- Gloves: regular latex or nitrile disposable gloves can be used with carbon fibre materials. Heavier gloves are more appropriate when fibre splinters are a concern. …
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Respiratory protection is required where:
- airborne … dust may be present or ‘off-gassing’ is occurring.
Contamination of PPE and clothingFollowing any contamination of clothing with carbon fibre or resin solutions, remove the garments and dispose of as waste (see below).
PPE may be washed under running water; disposable gloves are to be discarded after contamination.
Waste disposalCured or raw carbon fibre waste should be regarded as ‘Industrial Waste’ double bagged and disposed of through the regular waste stream.
Fine waste such as dust and loose fibres may be disposed of in a similar way however, care needs to be taken in collection and PPE must be worn. …
First aid**Skin:**Irritation and rashes - Wash under cold or warm water with soap or use sticky tape to help remove the fibers from the skin.
**Eye:**After removing contact lenses if any, wash eyes with clean running water for approx. than 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if worn before washing. Seek medical assistance
**Ingestion:**Wash out mouth immediately with clean fresh water. Seek medical assistance
**Inhalation:Dusts and fine fibers are documented as being respirable, and embed into mucous membranes causing irritation. Remove person to fresh air and seek medical assistance10. Spills of solvent materials or resins must be cleaned up immediately using local or building spill kit to MSDS directions.
**Content found by different University sources.
Comments?