Carbon Fibre Dust in F!
Carbon Fibre Dust in F!
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telecat

Original Poster:

8,528 posts

258 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2005
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Just seen on the BBC website that Mika Salo has discovered he has lots of carbon brake dust in his lungs. Looks like a future health problem? Also if the driver has that much what about the mechanics?

Eric Mc

124,110 posts

282 months

Thursday 23rd June 2005
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This is something that has concerned me for quite few years. It is obvious with the huge amounts of dust released under breaking and during wheel changes at pit stops that bopth drivers and mechanics must have been ingesting a lot of this dust. I would hazard a guess that there has not been any medical tests carried out on the possible harmful effects of carbon fibre dust as it is not a general problem in the "real" world. Then again, the composites industry might be concerned about this although I'm sure people who work "on the floor" cutting and shaping these materials are probably better protected than racing drivers or mechanics.

For all we know, CF dust may be completely benign - although somehow I doubt it.

At least it might bring about the re-introduction of steel brake discs.

NightDriver

1,080 posts

243 months

Thursday 23rd June 2005
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In the factory's all the finishing of the carbon parts is done in a sealed booth in which the parts are put into an air chamber. Air masks are worn and the dust is extracted from the room. If all these precautions are made then there must be a reason for it.

Its probably more dangerous for the drivers though because the carbon would enter there helmets through air vents whilst driving, this would force them to breath it. In the pit stops I doubt the mechanics would inhale much however it is cetainly an area of concern.

daydreamer

1,409 posts

274 months

Thursday 23rd June 2005
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NightDriver said:
If all these precautions are made then there must be a reason for it.
Inetgrity of the parts

H&S comes a poor second.

anonymous-user

71 months

Thursday 23rd June 2005
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daydreamer said:

NightDriver said:
If all these precautions are made then there must be a reason for it.

Inetgrity of the parts

H&S comes a poor second.
And the factory. With carbon being conductive, carbon fibre dust getting everywhere can make electrical things go bang quite quickly. That's why they primarily use air tools for finishing composite parts.

vojx

271 posts

259 months

Friday 24th June 2005
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daydreamer said:

NightDriver said:
If all these precautions are made then there must be a reason for it.

Inetgrity of the parts

H&S comes a poor second.


integrity of parts and safety of workforce, both at the same time ! i cant imagine an F1 team not caring bout the health of their workforce. most sensible people would wear a mask when messing with GRP or filler in the garage