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Technical
Services Notes Sheets
Machining
and handling non-asbestos friction materials
It
is well known that the machining of asbestos based friction
and other materials must only be carried out when effective
dust extraction equipment is provided; this is to ensure that
the concentration in the atmosphere of any asbestos fibre
which may be released, as part of the dust formed, is within
the specified limits.
Non
asbestos friction materials contain no asbestos nor, unless
they carry a warning label to the contrary, do they contain
constituents known to be or suspected to be toxic; every possible
precaution is in fact taken by the company - and some of its
major customers require to be satisfied in this respect -
to ensure that nothing is used in the production of non asbestos
friction materials ( and nothing other than asbestos in the
asbestos based friction materials) which may have a direct
effect on the health of those handling or machining the materials.
On
the other hand, the machining of non asbestos friction materials
still produces dust of a range of particle sizes which, just
as much as wood dust, dust from the soil or any other kind
of dust, it is as well to exclude from the lungs so as to
ensure the physical comfort of all concerned, and some of
these particles are of a fibrous nature.
It
is therefore recommended that those concerned with the machining
and handling of non asbestos friction materials employ the
same precautions as those now required by law where asbestos
based materials are in use; these are particularly the use
of suitable dust extraction equipment in all cases of drilling,
cutting or grinding of the material and dust extraction or
the use of liquid to suppress dust when relining brakes, clutches
and other friction devices.
Compressed
air should never be used to clear wear products (or any other
dust); instead it is recommended that water, to which a little
domestic liquid detergent (washing up liquid) has been added
as a wetting agent, is used in spray form or in quantity.
The
company is making considerable efforts to reduce the dustiness
of non asbestos products, just as it is doing with its asbestos
based ones; in this way it may be expected that the amount
of dust liberated by the general handling of unused products
will be kept to the minimum possible, so that no environmental
problems will be caused.
Contact
us now for guidance and advice, or to discuss a specific project,
by telephone on 01254 397561, by fax on 01254 389722 or by
email at david@frictioncomponents.co.uk
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Technical
Services - Friction Material Information and Note Sheets
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"Solving
Industries Braking Point"
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us
Friction
Components and Systems Ltd - Solving
Industries Braking Point
Unit 103, 25 Clydesmill Road, Clydesmill Industrial Estate, Cambuslang, Glasgow, G32 8RE
part
of the Friction Components and Systems group of companies
©
Copyright 2002 Friction Components and Systems Ltd
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