What is abrasive dust?

Abrasive materials are characterized by the ability of effective mechanical action. With their help remove dirt, remove deposits, make cleaning surfaces of rust and paint. The working element, in fact, are abrasive granules, which can have different shapes and sizes. One type of such granules is an abrasive dust, which can be of factory origin or be the result of processing, waste, etc.

General information about abrasive dust

Dust may have different characteristics and origins, but in most cases it is an undesirable product of processing of metal and wood products. As a rule, the abrasive powder is released during grinding and polishing operations. Dust can be formed both in household surface treatment, and in large volumes when carrying out operations on an industrial scale. In both cases, metallic abrasive dust is formed as a result of the destruction of the main processing material. Most often, such waste leaves abrasive discs when subjected to mechanical action on the target surface being treated. In this case, not always dust is metallic - usually these are combined formulations that also include particles of abrasives from rocks.

Material composition

The processing of abrasives is mainly subjected to products made of ferrous metal. It can be and future details for machine tools, and components of cars, and also building materials. The basis of any composition of such dust forms iron - about 30%. The second in volume content is usually aluminum oxide -alumina, although its qualities may also vary. The secondary constituent elements of abrasive powders include phosphorus, arsenic, nickel, manganese, chromium, etc. Much depends also on the surface with which the abrasive dust interacts. The composition of the separated mixture often includes elements of scale, rust and old paintwork. Actually, to combat these layers, abrasive disposal techniques are often used.

Varieties of abrasive dust

Classification is based on several principles of separation of abrasive particles. In many ways, they depend on the way the processing material is used. For example, if you use a grinder with a nozzle in the form of a circle, the resulting dust can be called silicon. Also, the practice of using sandblasting machines, which initially use crushed grains of abrasive. They may differ in size and shape, but their task remains the same - removing unnecessary surfaces from the surface or ensuring the smoothness of the workpiece. The final product of processing in this case will be metal abrasive dust, but already in a deformed form. It is important to note that, unlike silicon compounds, such dust can be used in further operations, as are metal powders for grinding.

Characteristics

The parameters and properties of the dust to be formed are determined by the conditions of operations and the materials used. For example, in work at machine-building enterprises, machines are manufactured that require high-precision finishing of surfaces to the desired geometric format. In such a treatment, large-fraction dust forms between rolled products and rolls, the dimensions of which can vary from 5 to 10 μm. Usually it is obtained as a result of evaporation of the same scale, which is about 20% in mass. On average, at such enterprises, dust emission is about 200 g per 1 ton of processed metal. If the fire stripping is additionally applied, the amount of abrasive waste can be significantly increased. When grinding operations are performed in less large-scale volumes, the abrasive dust formed is of a fine fractional character. Such dust particles are 0.5-1.5 microns in diameter. But do not think that the allocation of small particles is safer than large particles. First, a large fraction facilitates dust extraction operations. Secondly, from a medical point of view, fine dust is more dangerous for respiratory organs. Now it is worthwhile to take a closer look at the question of why it is necessary to combat the free release of abrasive waste in the process of processing.

What is the danger of abrasive dust?

Without an effective dust extraction system, the production of metallic dust will inevitably lead to its spreading in the air of the working space. In such conditions, occupational diseases of locksmiths are often developed. Such ailments include pneumoconiosis, dust bronchitis, asthma, etc. The development of diseases can be a consequence of regular irritation of the lungs with abrasive particles and from processing tools, and from the elements of the structure of blanks. Therefore, it is so important to initially organize systems that will ensure effective removal of abrasive dust directly in the working environment. Depending on the scale and conditions of work, such systems are organized according to different principles. This can be a typical industrial vacuum cleaner connected to a grinding machine, and industrial ventilation.

Methods of removal

Small abrasive elements from the material being processed using surface grinders are usually collected and transferred to special sedimentation tanks. To do this, it is sufficient to consider the channel of the path of dust movement. Most often, the problem is solved by means of planes wetted by water. A water cloth demolishes the powder in a sump equipped with a filter. Then, again, pure water ishes off portions of settling dust. For greater efficiency, it is possible to provide a drain channel with a ventilation system, which will also prevent accidental dispersion of the smallest particles. In construction, the already mentioned vacuum cleaner for abrasive dust is often used, which at the time of particle separation sucks them into a special container, preventing it from flying away. More efficient abrasive abrasion control systems also involve the use of air currents. For example, in the development of flows, an ejector can be used, which is installed in the center of the separator housing.

Conclusion

The development of abrasive particles is an inevitable phenomenon not only in the grinding and polishing processes. Even the typical cutting of metal by the "Bulgarian" promotes the formation of such elements. In this case, it is not always possible to provide a system through which dust abrasive would be removed automatically. Especially in domestic conditions when performing one-off repair operations specifically for this purpose, it is not advisable to purchase the same vacuum cleaner. In such cases, one should think first and foremost of personal respiratory protective equipment. As for the protection of the surfaces of the room, it will be superfluous to cover them with a film before starting work. And without fail it is necessary to organize ventilation - at least through windows on the street.