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Document ID (ISN)108635
CIS number 08-1136
Year 2007
Convention or series no. HSE Research Report 539
Author(s) Keen C., Troughton M., Wake D., Pengelly I., Scobbie E.
Health and Safety Executive
Title Products evolved during hot gas welding of fluoropolymers
Bibliographic information HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2007. vi, 96p. Illus. Bib.ref.
Internet access http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr539.pdf [in English]
Abstract The project aim was to detect and quantify the products evolved during the hot gas welding of common fluoropolymers, to attempt to identify the causative agents of polymer fume fever. Carbonyl fluoride and/or hydrogen fluoride were detected from certain fluoropolymers when these materials were heated to their maximum welding temperatures. Significant amounts of ultrafine particles were also detected from all of the fluoropolymers investigated when they were hot gas welded. The report concludes that fluoropolymers should be hot gas welded at the lowest possible temperature to reduce the potential for causing polymer fume fever in operators. If temperature control is not sufficient to prevent episodes of polymer fume fever, a good standard of local exhaust ventilation should also be employed.
Descriptors (primary) United Kingdom; gas welding; volatile substances; fluoroethylene polymers
Descriptors (secondary) local exhaust; carbonyl fluoride; report; hydrofluoric acid; polymer fume fever; limitation of exposure; exposure evaluation; sampling and analysis; temperature control
Document type E - Books, reports, proceedings
Country / State or ProvinceUnited Kingdom
Subject(s) Chemicals, plastics and rubber
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Welding and cutting