Safety Data Sheet E-Glass TDB025E
( Edition December 2001 )
SAFETY DATA SHEET - STANDARDS 03/112/EC AND ISO 11014-1
INTRODUCTION:
The predominant glass composition for continuous glass fibre is known as E-glass. It accounts for
almost all the world’s production of these glass fibres. E-glass is a member of the family calcium-
aluminium-silicate-glasses. Boron oxide is a major additive of E-glass and the alkali oxides of
sodium and potassium are maintained at low levels to ensure acceptable electrical properties. In
recent years, alternative E-glass formulations without boron oxide addition have been developed
and used in most applications, except for printed boards and aerospace applications.
Glass fibres are a high technology product. Continuous glass fbre is produced by a continuous
i
drawing process through the calibrated holes of bushings at constant speed, thus leading to a very
narrow variation in filament diameters. In any given product, the diameter of the fibres does not
differ much from the mean or nominal diameter. The standard deviation of the diameter in
continuous filament fibre products is typically less than 10% of the nominal diameter. The nominal
diameter of continuous filament fibre products ranges from 5 to 25 µm (depending on the product)
with the majority of the products being 9 µm or larger in diameter. An other characteristic of the
manufacturing process is that it gives a parallel orientation to the continuous fibre filaments
constituting the fibre bundles. A further processing of continuous filament products does not
generate any change in diameter, nor in the parallel orientation of filament bundles.
COVERAGE: ALL GENUINE TEXTILE GLASS PRODUCTS
Manufacturers: Culimeta Textilglas-Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
Responsible: Mr. Diederik Cuylits, Quality Assurance Manager
Authorised: Mr. Horst In der Stroth, Quality Securer
RAW MATERIAL: E-Textile glass filament yarns
ATTENTION: Filament airborne dust may possibly cause
irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING FIRST AID STEPS:
Difficulty in breathing: remove from working place
Irritation of the skin: flush skin with soap and luke-
warm water; DO NOT RUB!
Irritation of the eyes: flush eyes for 10 minutes
with clear water
Other irritation: remove from working place
FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES:
The products themselves are not combustible. Should the packaging catch fire, extinguish with
water or foam and powder usual in the trade.
We reserve the right to change
Culimeta Textilglas Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
specification without notice. All
presented product data is based Max-Planck-Strasse 15 � 17 49593 Bersenbrück � Germany
on values obtained during
Tel: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16-0 Fax: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16 10
material production and is no
Mail: info@culimeta.de www.culimeta.de
guarantee or warranty and
subject to slight deviations.
MEASURES AT UNINTENTIONAL RELEASE:
Personal or ecological protective arrangements: none
The products will cause no risk.
Please observe your local waste disposal prescriptions.
No special cleaning method must be observed.
HANDLING AND STORAGE:
Persons susceptible to irritation of the skin should avoid a skin contact; if so, DO NOT RUB!
Store the products dry and not exposed to direct sunlight in their original packaging between 10°
and 35° C at relative air humidity between 40 and 75 %.
PRESCRIPTIONS AND LIMITS FOR MACHINE SETTING AND USING:
a) no special recommendations at normal working conditions
b) at high dust concentration install exhaust ventilation
c) no critical limits must be observed at the working place
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS:
a) Clothing: avoid scrubbing clothes
b) Breath: eventually breathing mask
c) Eyes: eventually safety goggles
d) Hands: eventually safety gloves
e) Irritation of hands: use skin ointment
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
a) State
Form: endless E-glass filaments
Colour: white
Odour: none
b) Safety dates
Constant working temperature: 450° C
Content of PH: none
Change of state: a) vitrification temperature 680° C
b) heat distortion temperature 840° C
Flame point: none
Combustibility: none
Spontaneous ignition temperature: none
Inflammation point: none
Explosion limits: a) upper limit: none
b) lower limit: none
Specific density: approx. 2,61 g/cmÂł
We reserve the right to change
Culimeta Textilglas Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
specification without notice. All
presented product data is based Max-Planck-Strasse 15 � 17 49593 Bersenbrück � Germany
on values obtained during
Tel: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16-0 Fax: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16 10
material production and is no
Mail: info@culimeta.de www.culimeta.de
guarantee or warranty and
subject to slight deviations.
Powder density: none
Steam pressure: none
Solubility: insoluble in water
Decomposition: a)* no thermal decomposition
*Only the size decomposites at approx. 200° C.
b) no dangerous substances
Chemical character: a) aluminium borosilicate
b) alkaline content less than 1 %
STABILITY AND REACTIVITY:
All materials are stable makes, and will not cause critical re-
actions or release dangerous cleavage products or substances.
TOCICITY DATES (see last paragraph „Additional Information�):
All products are free of toxic or critical substances or compositions according to the relevant valid
legal prescriptions of the German Chemicals Law, § 3. They are fully non-carcinogenic and will
cause no reproduction and hereditary defects or other chronic health injuries.
ECOLOGICAL DATA:
The products will cause no ecological risks, are, however, not biodegradable.
WASTE DISPOSAL:
Please observe your local waste disposal prescriptions.
TRANSPORT REGULATIONS:
No danger classing mus t be observed. We only recommend to transport the products dry and in the
original packaging.
MARKING PRESCRIPTIONS:
As the products are fully safe, no marking prescription must be observed. We recommend to
contact your local authority for further references, however.
FURTHER REMARKS:
Individual product data available as technical specification.
GENERAL DATA:
The maximal continuous working temperature of the products described is 450° C.
For all further data refer to the specific data sheets.
We reserve the right to change
Culimeta Textilglas Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
specification without notice. All
presented product data is based Max-Planck-Strasse 15 � 17 49593 Bersenbrück � Germany
on values obtained during
Tel: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16-0 Fax: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16 10
material production and is no
Mail: info@culimeta.de www.culimeta.de
guarantee or warranty and
subject to slight deviations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Inhalation
Airborne continuous glass fibre can be inhaled. However, the potential for inhaled glass fibre to
cause any health hazard depends on its „respirability�, i.e. its potential to enter the lower regions of
the lung. Indeed, the essential feature of a health and safety assessment for the product is to
determine whether it is possible for the product to cause lung disease through respiration. Fibres
with diameters greater than 3 µm, what is generally the case for continuous glass fibre, do not reach
the lower respiratory tract and therefore have no possibility of causing any serious pulmonary
disease. According to the WHO definition, respirable glass fibres have a diameter smaller than 3
µm, a length larger than 5 µm and a length-diameter ratio larger than or equal to 3.
Continuous glass fibres do not possess cleavage planes, which would allow them to split length-
wise into fibres with smaller diameters, rather they break across the fibre, resulting in fibres, which
are of the same diameter as the original fibre with a shorter length and a small amount of dust.
Recent microscopic examination of dust from highly chopped and pulverised glass demonstrated
the presence of small amounts of respirable dust particles, some were fibre-like in dimensional
terms only. To the best of our knowledge, the exposure levels of these fibre-like dust particles
measured in manufacturing plants are of the order of magnitude between 50 and 100 below existing
applicable limits.
Irritation
On the other hand, glass fibres indeed can cause a purely mechanical irritation (itching) of the skin
and eyes. This is, however, not an allergic reaction. This has been confirmed by the 23rd
amendment (Directive 97/69) of the Directive 67/548 on the labelling of dangerous substances that
applies to man-made mineral fibres. Only glass or rock wool in certain circumstances and refractory
fibres are concerned by this labelling. Continuous glass fibres are not. When sufficient amounts of
continuous glass fibres are released into the air during manufacture handling, some workers may
experience temporary upper respiratory tract irritation. Like skin irritation, upper respiratory
inhalation is a mechanical reaction to the fibres. It is not an allergic reaction and the irritation
generally does not persist. Such exposures to high concentrations of airborne fibres may result in
temporary coughing and / or sneezing. These effects will subside after the worker is removed from
exposure, and should have no further impact on his or her health or well being. Respecting this
safety data sheet can readily avoid these mechanical effects. As a general rule, the mechanical
irritation caused by the glass fibres disappears, when the person is no longer exposed to the
product.
Human Epidemiological Studies
An important method for assessing the effects of a substance on humans is through epidemiological
studies. Such studies typically examine large groups of people, who have been exposed to the
substance being studied. Two major studies involving 21.500 workers in the USA and Europe,
conducted respectively by the University of Pittsburgh (Public).
Health School) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), showed no increase
in lung cancer or non-malignant respiratory disease among persons working in glass fibre
production.
We reserve the right to change
Culimeta Textilglas Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
specification without notice. All
presented product data is based Max-Planck-Strasse 15 � 17 49593 Bersenbrück � Germany
on values obtained during
Tel: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16-0 Fax: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16 10
material production and is no
Mail: info@culimeta.de www.culimeta.de
guarantee or warranty and
subject to slight deviations.
Three epidemiological studies have been published recently on cohorts of people working in MMMF
factories.
The first one in Europe by Boffeta (1997) on different types of MMMF concluded for two plants in
Northern Ireland and Italy that there was no significant increase in different types of cancer
compared to reference cohorts. The two other studies by Chiazze were specifically made in one
plant producing continuous glass fibre in the USA. Chiazze (1997) concluded that there was no
evidence of excess of cancer in the populations working in thisplant for a long time (more than 15
years).
Classification
Inorganic chemicals in dust form, which hold as (suspected) carcinogens, are classified in the Class
III under the German TA-Luft regulation. The TLV mass concentration in air for these is 5 mg/mÂł. In
the German MAK values list the criteria for carcinogenicity for fibres are listed. These can be found
under the chapter III „Carcinogenic Industrial Chemicals� Paragraph Faserstäube (fibre dust). The
above criteria for carcinogenicity areas follows: length-diameter ratio larger 3, length larger 5 µm,
diameter smaller or equal 3 µm. Continuous glass fibres do not conform to this criteria. All produced
glass fibres have a diameter larger than 3 µm, and hence are not considered as (suspected)
carcinogens under the definition of the German MAK list.
The so-called KI-index which reflects a risk assessment of respirable fibres based on their
composition does not apply to the continuous glass fibres.
Continuous glass fibres are not considered as a dangerous sub-stance following the rules of the
European Directive 67/548/EC for labelling of the dangerous substances and its subsequent
amendments. This has been confirmed by the 23rd amendment (Directive 67/69/EC) on Man-made
Mineral Fibre where continuous glass fibres are not to be labelled either for toxicity, carcinogenicity
or irritation. Labelling is only applicable to glass wool and rock wool in certain circumstances or
refractory fibre. This data sheet does not apply to the latter three products.
Summary
The diameter of continuous glass filament fibres are higher than 3 µm and therefore above the
respirable range of 3 µm or less, thus minimising the potential for any chronic pulmonary effects
associated with exposure to these fibres. The irritation caused by these fibres is a simple
mechanical one, which can be controlled by good industrial hygiene practises. Manufacturers and
customers operations should continue to use recognised safety and health practises to ensure safe
use. Work practises and procedures should be in place to minimise dust generation. Local exhaust
ventilation should be used, if necessary to minimise and/or keep airborne dust level at or below
recommended limits. An approved dust respirator should be used if airborne concentrations exceed
regulatory and recommended limits, if irritation occurs, or if the workers choose to do so for
personal comfort.
Exposure assessment should be conducted, as appropriate, to ensure exposures are within
recommended limits.
Appendix chemical composition E-glass
SiO 2 53 - 57 %
Al2O3 12 - 15 %
CaO + MgO 22 - 26 %
B2O3 5- 8%
We reserve the right to change
Culimeta Textilglas Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
specification without notice. All
presented product data is based Max-Planck-Strasse 15 � 17 49593 Bersenbrück � Germany
on values obtained during
Tel: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16-0 Fax: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16 10
material production and is no
Mail: info@culimeta.de www.culimeta.de
guarantee or warranty and
subject to slight deviations.
F2 0 - 0,6 %
Na2O + K2O <1%
Fe2O3 0,5 %
Miscallenous none
We reserve the right to change
Culimeta Textilglas Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
specification without notice. All
presented product data is based Max-Planck-Strasse 15 � 17 49593 Bersenbrück � Germany
on values obtained during
Tel: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16-0 Fax: +49 (0) 54 39/94 16 10
material production and is no
Mail: info@culimeta.de www.culimeta.de
guarantee or warranty and
subject to slight deviations.
|