Micarta scales question

[fitzo]

Toxic fumes and particulate dust are not the same and belt sanding or machining Micarta produces only dust. The material is stable to well above the temperature that it get to when grinding. Unless possibly you were to push a piece of it into the belt or wheel until it began to melt but then I would say you have a technique problem and should take lighter portions off.

vjb, you might find this Google listing of interest, suggesting there may well be some volatiles generated below combustion temps of phenolic resins.
I wonder what transient temp is generated at the interface between abrasive particle and the handle material during grinding?

 

[James_Terrio]

It's possible for volatives to be released at room temp, depending on the compound. That
s why they're called "volative".

Think of the controversy last year over certain plastics leaching bad stuff into baby bottle/canteens etc. I know leaching and volativity aren't the same thing but you see my point.

That's the full extent of my knowledge on the subject so I'll shush now.

 

[vjb.knife]

vjb, you might find this Google listing of interest, suggesting there may well be some volatiles generated below combustion temps of phenolic resins.
I wonder what transient temp is generated at the interface between abrasive particle and the handle material during grinding?

I just read that and I agree to a point that some volitile gases could be released but the article says that the first stages of release are between 100 and 300 degrees C that is 212 to 572 degrees F. They mention that a small mass loos is attributed to water release and unreacted phenols, formaldehyde etc. meaning that if the micarta resin is not completely cured there could be gaseous release. Small amounts / unreacted / not cured material / high temperature equals very small possibility of a threat here.

I did say that I use vacuum dust collection and a respirator as well but I still contend that the threat to health here is very remote to non existant. When I grind micarta handles on the belt they never reach 100 degrees C much less the 300 degree C upper end of this stated area of decomposition. You also have to consider what possible quantity of the volitile gas could be given off by the amount of material removed. It is just too small to consider.

I am not worried in the least about this non-existant problem.