PT Journal AU Bye, E Eduard, W Gjonnes, J Sorbroden, E TI Occurrence of airborne silicon carbide fibers during industrial production of silicon carbide. SO Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PD 4VL PY 1985 BP 111 EP 115 IS 2 DI 10.5271/sjweh.2245 WP https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=2245 SN 0355-3140 AB

Airborne dust from the production of silicon carbide has been analyzed for particle morphology and composition. Fibers of alpha silicon carbide were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with selected area electron diffraction techniques (SAED). Micrographs taken at high magnification revealed several stacking periods along the fiber axis, and one or more of the polytypes 2H, 4H, or 6H could be distinguished. Preliminary investigations applying SEM showed that 80% of the fibers had diameters of less than 0.5 micron and a length greater than 5 micron. Fiber concentrations were examined by the counting of stationary and personal samples in an optical phase contrast microscope. The fiber levels in the three plants investigated were low and less than 1 fiber/cc of air (10(6) fibers/m3). Dust samples from the handling of raw material, including recycled material, contained up to 5 fibers/cc (5 X 10(6) fibers/m3).

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