Abstract
The aim of this work was to assess whether with high amounts of nano-silica filled cured resins release nano-particles upon their abrasion, as this could form an occupational health risk and require specific safety measures.A standardised abrasion stress method involving a Taber linear abrasion apparatus (Model 5750) has been applied to the filled polymer samples. This linear abrasion apparatus simulates the mechanical solicitation, i.e. abrasion. Various particle size measurement techniques were applied to assess the size distribution and the quantity of particles released.Observations of airborne particle from abrasion tests are consistent with TEM characterization of the nanomaterials before any tests. Abrasions of both samples (called here ‘1’ and ‘2’) gave rise to emissions. For sample 1, a few ‘dust’ particles and micronic particles are observed. For sample 2, despite a track on the sample, no detectable micronic particles and very few ‘dust’, particles are detected. As a result, we can state there were effective abrasions which gave rise to a low emission (sample 1) and a very low emission (sample 2) under the detection limits of particle sizing and counting, for the last case.The emission of particles upon Taber test abrasion is extremely low (less than 8 particles per cm3) and for one of the samples at the level of the detection limit. Moreover, the size of these particles is generally larger than 100nm.
Highlights
The present study investigates the tendency of a 3D printed product to emit particles during an important part of its life cycle, i.e. the phase of its use
Thin (100 nm) slices have been examined in Transmission Electronic Microscope (TEM) at INERIS2
As one result we can state that effective abrasions occurred which give rise to a low emission and a very low emission, the latter being below the detection limits of sizing and counting
Summary
The present study investigates the tendency of a 3D printed product to emit particles during an important part of its life cycle, i.e. the phase of its use. The study presented here was performed within the context of the NanoREG 2 project, funded by the European Commission under EU’s Horizon 2020 Program Research and Innovation actions H2020-NMP-2014-2015. This project includes industrialists from various backgrounds, public institutions and other bodies. The present study is devoted to industrial case studies One of these is the sample 1 involving the handling of silica, blending this with uncured resin, and subsequently photo-curing. This process is executed under safe conditions
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