Background The benefits of more durable, tough and light composite materials that contain engineered (for example nanomaterial particles) are promoting their use in a number of applications including wind turbine blades, car body parts and high performance sports equipment. Investigating the emissions of nanomaterials from composites and solid articles during machining processes This review was commissioned by Safe Work Australia and undertaken by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through funding provided under the National Enabling Technologies Strategy. This report considers whether machining of solid articles can give rise to work health issues due to inhalation of emitted particles. The report examines particle release from the machining of composite materials and other solid articles that contain nano-objects. It describes how particle release was measured, precautions taken to control particle release in the workplace, levels of releases, types of particles emitted and from these results, considers the potential risk to workers’ health. The report notes that the machining of a number of different composite forms has been examined by investigators. Matrices include epoxy, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylates and polyamide and nano-objects used for reinforcing include silica, carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes and nanoclay. The report also notes that machining processes investigated include wet and dry cutting, drilling, grinding, sanding and abrasion. Summary of findings A summary of the findings from this review of experimental work is: The mass of emissions from the machining of composites containing reinforcing engineered nano-objects is in most instances not significantly different from the machining of composites that do not contain nano-objects. High energy machining processes emit significantly higher numbers of particles and produce higher airborne mass concentrations than low energy processes. For some processes, emissions can be achieved using wet machining in comparison to dry machining. A mixture of particles is released from composites during machining. Most particles emitted come from the matrix or are particles of matrix with nano-objects embedded, though some free engineered nano-objects are released. The use of engineering controls for machining processes can significantly reduce worker exposure, if designed appropriately and maintained adequately. Potential risk to workers’ health
Background The benefits of more durable, tough and light composite materials that contain engineered (for example nanomaterial particles) are promoting their use in a number of applications including wind turbine blades, car body parts and high performance sports equipment. Investigating the emissions of nanomaterials from composites and solid articles during machining processes This review was commissioned by Safe Work Australia and undertaken by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through funding provided under the National Enabling Technologies Strategy. This report considers whether machining of solid articles can give rise to work health issues due to inhalation of emitted particles. The report examines particle release from the machining of composite materials and other solid articles that contain nano-objects. It describes how particle release was measured, precautions taken to control particle release in the workplace, levels of releases, types of particles emitted and from these results, considers the potential risk to workers’ health. The report notes that the machining of a number of different composite forms has been examined by investigators. Matrices include epoxy, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylates and polyamide and nano-objects used for reinforcing include silica, carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes and nanoclay. The report also notes that machining processes investigated include wet and dry cutting, drilling, grinding, sanding and abrasion. Summary of findings A summary of the findings from this review of experimental work is: The mass of emissions from the machining of composites containing reinforcing engineered nano-objects is in most instances not significantly different from the machining of composites that do not contain nano-objects. High energy machining processes emit significantly higher numbers of particles and produce higher airborne mass concentrations than low energy processes. For some processes, emissions can be achieved using wet machining in comparison to dry machining. A mixture of particles is released from composites during machining. Most particles emitted come from the matrix or are particles of matrix with nano-objects embedded, though some free engineered nano-objects are released. The use of engineering controls for machining processes can significantly reduce worker exposure, if designed appropriately and maintained adequately. Potential risk to workers’ health
info-sheet-emissions-solid-articles.docx