PARENT SESSION
PM4 - Complex Mixtures
Monday, 18 November 2002
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall

(P251) Particulate Fraction Analysis of Pyrolized Carbon Graphite/Epoxy Advanced Composite Material.

Courson, David^*,1, Kimmel, Edgar², ¹ ManTech Environmental Technology Incorporated, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA² Geo-Centers, Inc., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA

ABSTRACT- The physical and chemical properties of the particulate fraction of carbon-graphite/epoxy advanced composite material (cgeACM) smoke were measured to address concerns regarding potential health hazards posed by the release of fibers during pyrolysis of this material. Filter, low-pressure cascade impactor, and electrostatic precipitator samples were collected from cgeACM smoke in which the aerosol concentration ranged from 0.20 to 5.39 g/m3. Fibers were found in the smoke among individual, spherical or nearly spherical particles and chain aggregates. The fibers had a mean count diameter of 0.54 m and an average length of 2.84 m. However fibers accounted for approximately 0.3 % of the particles counted. The smoke aerosols (including fibers) had mass median aerodynamic diameters (MMAD) ranging from 1.4 to 1.9 m with standard geometric deviations ranging from 1.6 to 1.8, and hence over 88% of the particles were in the thoracic size range (MMAD m 4.0 m). All particles were composed primarily of carbon, silicon, sulfur, and oxygen with traces of other metals. By comparison fibers were composed almost exclusively of silicon

Key words: Advanced Composite Material, Smoke, Particulates, Fibers