cutting carbon - safe or not?

the doktor
the doktor Posts: 70
edited September 2007 in Workshop
What have any of you heard about the safety of cutting carbon re inhaling the dust.

One shop I worked in wouldn't do it as they claimed the dust stayed in the atmosphere like asbestos! Others think it's fine.

Any research out there?

Comments

  • roger645
    roger645 Posts: 111
    Why not just wear a dust mask?
    Current Steed: 02 Marin Tiburon
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I wouldnt like to breathe it in. Do it outside and don't breathe or cover your face.
  • thedoctor
    thedoctor Posts: 529
    What t'others have said. Work outside and use a mask. I don't know that it's dangerous, but I don't know that it isn't! Best not to take the chance.
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Wet it, spray it with water whilst cutting if you're scared. It's only coal dust...
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Not as innocuous it seems - the fibres are very fine and can potentially cause lung disease similar to asbestosis. Firefighters dealing with plane crashes of composite planes are recommended to wear breathing apparatus to prevent inhaling the fibres. That said, cutting a fork steerer deosn't exactly produce a lot of dust. Wear a dust mask and cut in a well ventilated area.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • JustRidecp
    JustRidecp Posts: 302
    Kléber wrote:
    Wet it, spray it with water whilst cutting if you're scared. It's only coal dust...

    You mean the same coal dust that causes black lung?
    Real Ultimate Power

    "If I weren't a professional cyclist, I'd be a porn star" - Super Mario
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    Do you have access to the special tools needed to cut carbon fibre structures (and the knowledge to use them)? As I understand it, cutting the stuff incorrectly can cause it to delaminate and be invisibly weakened - which may also not be the safest thing!

    *edited to add the 'as I understand it' disclaimer*
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • Titanium
    Titanium Posts: 2,056
    Only large scale exposure is going to do more harm. As shadowduck suggests, you risk damaging the bike part more than your lungs. In most cases, people are cutting fork steerer tubes and ISP seat tubes.

    All you need to do is to wrap the area you cut with adhesive tape to pin down the outer fibers and get a sharp, not old, 80 tpi saw and it'll cut through easily. Usually manufacturers include instructions.

    But those working in a shop might want to use a dust mask but it's fiber in the air that's bad and so you need to minimize the dust when cutting. Use a vacuum on it pour water on the blade to stop fibers floating away.
  • campagsarge
    campagsarge Posts: 434
    Aye, as an aside I had an old golf club that had a carbon shaft. I had nowt better to do and wanted to see what would happen to the composite if I cut the surface...

    ...the whole shaft crumpled.
  • nick hanson
    nick hanson Posts: 1,655
    the doktor wrote:
    What have any of you heard about the safety of cutting carbon re inhaling the dust.

    One shop I worked in wouldn't do it as they claimed the dust stayed in the atmosphere like asbestos! Others think it's fine.

    Any research out there?
    more likely they were scared of measuring incorrectly & having to reimburse the customer for resulting cock up!
    so many cols,so little time!
  • the doktor
    the doktor Posts: 70
    mmm, I'm going to be working building up top end bikes, all with carbon steerers, at a very busy workshop. The amount of carbon dust in the workshop is probably considerable.

    I can't wear a dust mask all day! There seems to be no health and safely rules or regs about it though.

    Don't want to turn down a good looking job, but equally don't want to risk my health.
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    the doktor wrote:
    There seems to be no health and safely rules or regs about it though.
    There almost certainly are - there are H&S regs for pretty much everything. The MSDS sheet doesn't look particularly nasty, if that makes you feel better.
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • fire42
    fire42 Posts: 4
    Well....as a firefighter, seeing as someone mentioned it, we do wear BA round CF, especially military stuff. As for the material, once in the lungs it does stay there as they cant break it down and would ultimately cause difficulties if exposure was prolonged. As for cutting it, get someone to hold a hoover by it as you cut it, switched on obviously! even just snapping a piece of carbon fibre laminate produces many airborne fibres. It will delaminate if cut with the wrong tools, so use new, fine blades and dont apply lots of pressure as you cut. Dont cut it with any machine that is likely to generate any heat ie small grinders and such. The epoxy that carbon is laid up with, being organic can decompose and being as it is a key element in the structure will be significantly weakened, you'll know if you have got it too hot as it will turn brown and smoke/smell. For dressing up use a smooth file/wet and dry paper as any coarse tools can splinter/delaminate it, once again filling the air with the stuff. But yeah always wear a decent mask, not just the paper jobs. There are comfortable ones that are suitable for fine dusts, and remember you only have 1 pair of lungs!!...and eyes come to that, so wear glasses too!!!!!

    cheers

    Dave

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