Safety concerns in composite manufacturing and machining

Eylem Asmatulu; Abdullah Alonayni; Mohammed Alamir

doi:10.1117/12.2296707

22 March 2018 Safety concerns in composite manufacturing and machining

Eylem Asmatulu, Abdullah Alonayni, Mohammed Alamir

Proceedings Volume 10596, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites XII; 1059623 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2296707
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2018, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Because of the superior properties, composites have been used in many industrial applications, including aerospace, wind turbines, ships, cars, fishing rods, storage tanks, swimming pool panels, and baseball bats. Each application may require different combinations of reinforcements and matrices, which make the manufacturing safety even more challenging while working on these substances. In this study, safety issues in composite manufacturing and machining were investigated in detail, and latest developments were provided for workers. The materials most frequently used in composite manufacturing, such as matrix (polyester, vinylester, phenolic, epoxies, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, benzoil peroxide, hardeners, and solvents), and reinforcement materials (carbon, glass and Kevlar fibers, honeycomb and foams) can be highly toxic to human body. These materials can also be very toxic to the environment when dumped out uncontrollably, creating major future health and environmental concerns. Throughout the manufacturing process, workers inhale vapors of the liquid matrix, hardeners and solvents / thinners, as well as reinforcement materials (chopped fibers and particles) in airborne. Milling, cutting and machining of the composites can further increase the toxic inhalations of airborne composite particles, resulting in major rashes, irritation, skin disorders, coughing, severe eye and lung injury and other serious illnesses. The major portions of these hazardous materials can be controlled using appropriate personal protective equipment for the chemicals and materials used in composite manufacturing and machining. This study provides best possible safety practices utilized in composite manufacturing facilities for workers, engineers and other participants.

Citation Download Citation

Eylem Asmatulu, Abdullah Alonayni, and Mohammed Alamir "Safety concerns in composite manufacturing and machining", Proc. SPIE 10596, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites XII, 1059623 (22 March 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2296707

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