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Conductive, heat resistant plastics for welding screens

2004

Dear gentlemen:

I am student of the last course of the MDes, master of product development imparted in the University of Coventry, United Kingdom. In this last course we work developing new products for the industry. In my case my project approaches the problem related with the manganese emission during the welding operation (type MIG), a toxic cloud that recent surveys relate with problems of Parkinson and sexual disfunción suffered by the welder. My intention is to develop a new welding team that isolates the worker of the toxic cloud that is generated without it increases its disconfort as for visibility, refrigeration lack, maneuverability... It is for it that I go to you requesting information about the plastic materials that can act as permanent imams and could be thermal insulating.

Looking forward to your reply

Javier Dominguez
researcher - Coventry, United Kingdom

Hi Javier !

Firstly, why don't you go to I.C.I., which has a font of knowledge about plastics?

Secondly, what in the hell is an 'IMAM' ... other than being a Mohammedan priest? English is a beautiful language, easy to learn although difficult to thoroughly master.

There are only two main see-through plastics, Acrylics and Polycarbonates ... neither of whom would take kindly to weld splutter. And I.C.I's knowledge of Perspex is exemplary.

If this MIG welding is such a potential problem for the user, why not a separate air source to the welder or at least a moveable mini fumehood? ... I have designed the latter but, as my main background is plastics, the only welding problems we could have had were with fluorocarbons in which case the welder used a mask.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2004