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Safety consideration when handling metal powders

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dc.contributor.author Benson, JM
dc.date.accessioned 2012-09-27T08:15:36Z
dc.date.available 2012-09-27T08:15:36Z
dc.date.issued 2012-03
dc.identifier.citation Benson, JM. 2012. Safety consideration when handling metal powders. The Journal of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 112(7), pp 563-575 en_US
dc.identifier.issn 0038-223X
dc.identifier.uri http://www.saimm.co.za/Journal/v112n07p563.pdf
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6104
dc.description Copyright: 2012 Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. en_US
dc.description.abstract Metal powder compaction offers unique advantages in the manufacture of net-shape components using techniques such as laser sintering, conventional press and sintering, metal injection moulding, direct rolling, direct forging, and hot isostatic pressing. If the output from the primary metal production process is in powder form, then considerable cost and energy savings can be realized by direct conversion to semi-finished or final shapes. This possibility exists for titanium and possibly also for Ta, Zr, Hf, and Nb metals. However, these attractive benefits are associated with some significant risks. The high surface-to-volume ratio of powder particles coupled with the reactive nature of these metals means that special care must be taken when handling them. Powder explosions are unfortunately still a regular occurrence internationally and these often result in serious injury and loss of life. Even seemingly ‘safe’ compounds such as sugar, flour, and grain can be extremely hazardous when handled or milled and dust clouds are produced. In addition, exposure to airborne particles can have adverse effects on the human body, especially when particles are inhaled on a regular basis. Furthermore, the medical consequences of these are not fully understood, especially in the case of nanoparticles. The impact is often not observed immediately and debilitating illnesses may emerge only years or decades later. As far as is known, there are no South African guidelines for handling of metal powders. This paper attempts to provide an awareness of the risks associated with metal powders (including those produced indirectly by other metalworking/finishing operations) as well as some guidelines for their safe handling, based on international best practices. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy en_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries Workflow;9528
dc.subject Metal powders en_US
dc.subject Metal powder safety en_US
dc.subject Metal powder handling en_US
dc.title Safety consideration when handling metal powders en_US
dc.type Article en_US
dc.identifier.apacitation Benson, J. (2012). Safety consideration when handling metal powders. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6104 en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitation Benson, JM "Safety consideration when handling metal powders." (2012) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6104 en_ZA
dc.identifier.vancouvercitation Benson J. Safety consideration when handling metal powders. 2012; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6104. en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Article AU - Benson, JM AB - Metal powder compaction offers unique advantages in the manufacture of net-shape components using techniques such as laser sintering, conventional press and sintering, metal injection moulding, direct rolling, direct forging, and hot isostatic pressing. If the output from the primary metal production process is in powder form, then considerable cost and energy savings can be realized by direct conversion to semi-finished or final shapes. This possibility exists for titanium and possibly also for Ta, Zr, Hf, and Nb metals. However, these attractive benefits are associated with some significant risks. The high surface-to-volume ratio of powder particles coupled with the reactive nature of these metals means that special care must be taken when handling them. Powder explosions are unfortunately still a regular occurrence internationally and these often result in serious injury and loss of life. Even seemingly ‘safe’ compounds such as sugar, flour, and grain can be extremely hazardous when handled or milled and dust clouds are produced. In addition, exposure to airborne particles can have adverse effects on the human body, especially when particles are inhaled on a regular basis. Furthermore, the medical consequences of these are not fully understood, especially in the case of nanoparticles. The impact is often not observed immediately and debilitating illnesses may emerge only years or decades later. As far as is known, there are no South African guidelines for handling of metal powders. This paper attempts to provide an awareness of the risks associated with metal powders (including those produced indirectly by other metalworking/finishing operations) as well as some guidelines for their safe handling, based on international best practices. DA - 2012-03 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Metal powders KW - Metal powder safety KW - Metal powder handling LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2012 SM - 0038-223X T1 - Safety consideration when handling metal powders TI - Safety consideration when handling metal powders UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6104 ER - en_ZA


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