Nov 22, 2019 | CNC Phenolic Machining, Machining, News, Phenolic Machining
By any metric you choose to use, phenolics machining brings with it a wide range of advantages that cannot be ignored. Many of these materials offer exceptional impact strength, top quality wear resistance, and incredible mechanical properties – making them ideal for even the harshest applications out there.
But getting those materials where they need to be is often somewhat easier said than done. Phenolic machining is nothing if not challenging, too – particularly due to the number of distinct hazards that are inherent to the process.
“Anything Worth Doing…”
Now to be clear, machining of any type is always dangerous – particularly when you consider the types of heavy equipment that are commonly found in these environments. But remember that phenolics are created by impregnating the various layers of a substrate with a particular type of resin that is then formed using extreme amounts of heat and pressure. Those substrate materials can be paper, cotton or even glass. Naturally, this all creates an additional layer of complexity in terms of safety that isn’t necessarily present in other settings.
Dust generated during grinding or cutting, for example, could easily get into the air and become co-contaminants with dust. The same is true of trace amounts of things like formaldehyde and phenol, which may have been present in the materials as precursors to the polymer binding each layer together.
Even short-term inhalation of this could cause irritation and coughing. If it comes into contact with your skin or eyes, it can easily lead to irritation, itching and redness. Formaldehyde is considered to be a human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, so obviously there is a lot of risk associated with this, too.
All of this is to say that, yes – the actual processes behind phenolics machining are dangerous because of the specific materials we’re working with. However, a lot of those qualities are what makes them so exceptional in the first place.
Plus, at JMJ Profile, we take steps to help preserve the safety of our environment at all time. Everyone is properly trained and we’re up-to-date on all best practices when it comes to First Aid. In our opinion, it takes true experts in the field to not only create solutions that can withstand even the harshest conditions that a business like yours might be dealing with, but to do so safely and without injury, too.
Luckily for all involved, that’s exactly what we happen to be – experts in phenolics machining.
If you’d like to find out more information about the ways in which we overcome the challenges of phenolic machining, or if you have any additional questions you’d like to discuss in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact JMJ Profile today.
