SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDLING AND PROCESSING ALUMINIUM POWDER
June 2007
Am Bonneshof 5 40474 Düsseldorf Postfach 10 54 63 40045 Düsseldorf Tel.: +49 211 4796 – 0 Fax: +49 211 4796 – 408 www.aluinfo.de
The information provided here has been checked carefully and to the best of our knowledge and belief is correct; nevertheless, we accept no responsibility for it. Checking whether recommendations have been correctly implemented is outside our control. This is the responsibility of the user. Any liability on our part whatsoever is hereby expressly excluded.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANDLING AND PROCESSING ALUMINIUM POWDER
CONTENT
I. Characteristics of aluminium powders and their hazard potential
II. Storage, handling and protective equipment
III. Causes of fires and explosions and how to avoid them
IV. Measures to be taken in case of spillage, accidents and fire fighting
V. Other instructions and characteristics
Appendix: Glossary and Bibliography
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INTRODUCTION
Aluminium powder can be safely transported, stored and processed if a few basic safety instructions are followed, as detailed, for example, in the relevant material safety sheet. Nevertheless, as when dealing with combustible powders in general, the processing of aluminium powders involves a residual risk that is often underestimated. A precise knowledge of the specific properties of aluminium powder and safety measures that take these into account allows this risk to be minimised and permit the material to be handled safely. This brochure gives an overview of the causes of safety risks and how to avoid them, and provides information on the correct way to handle aluminium powders. It is aimed mainly at the manufacturers of powder coatings, who incorporate aluminium powder in metal-effect powder coatings and all other users that have to deal with pure aluminium powders or powder mixtures with a high aluminium content. The brochure is not aimed at users of...