Abstract
ABSTRACTIn the last five years laser cutting has been identified as one of the solutions for converting and shaping the plastic films used in the Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) industry due to its positive effects on cost management. However, there has been quite limited information available with regard to the hazards of the air pollutants released during the laser cutting process, and in particular in relation to the real operations that occur in a factory. This is the first study that aims to assess the Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) and Particulate Matter (PM) emitted during the laser cutting process. Phthalate Esters (PAEs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the representative EDs in this research. The results indicate that the power of the laser and type of plastic significantly affect the composition of air pollutants. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) of PAEs was identified in the Laser Generated Air Contaminants (LGACs) from both Polycarbonate (PC) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) films. DEHP was detected in the gas-phase LGACs of PC and PET at low, medium and high power (80 W, 160 W, 240 W), but not detected in the particle-phase LGACs of PC and PET, except when the laser was operated at a low power setting. With the laser power increased, the concentrations of PM and PAHs also increased. This research found that during laser cutting PC released more DEHP than PET, but PET released more PAHs than PC.
Highlights
The Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display (TFTLCD) industry is one of the most rapidly developing industries in the world
This indicates that Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) might be the prominent plasticizer added in the optical functioned plastic films
DEHP is a common and cheap additive with a high compatibility and stability to the products (Lorz et al, 2002), and often be a trade secret addition disclosed in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Summary
The Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display (TFTLCD) industry is one of the most rapidly developing industries in the world. Laser cutting techniques have received considerable attention since the shape and size of TFT-LCD films evolve rapidly (Eguiazabal, 1989). Laser cutting has started to replace traditional die-cutting and mold-pressing to be the dominant technique for the production of optical and related plastic films (Charschan, 1972; Kuo et al, 2014). Sublimation cutting involves the processes of melting, burning and evaporation of the film when high temperature laser radiation acts on its surface, resulting in disassociation. A large amount of Laser-generated Air Contaminants (LGACs) are produced during the film cutting process.
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