Impact of Thermal Stress on Abrasive Dust from a Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Composite

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Arne Koch - , Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, University of Rostock (Author)
  • Lukas Friederici - , University of Rostock (Author)
  • Petra Fiala - , Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental Technology, Mechanical Process Engineering Group (Author)
  • Armin Springer - , University of Rostock, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Rostock University Medical Centre (Author)
  • Sebastiano di Bucchianico - , Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (Author)
  • Michael Stintz - (Author)
  • Marcus Frank - , University of Rostock (Author)
  • Christoph Paul Rüger - , University of Rostock (Author)
  • Thorsten Streibel - , Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (Author)
  • Ralf Zimmermann - , University of Rostock (Author)

Abstract

Recently, a novel corrosion-resistant construction material, Carbon Concrete Composite (C3), consisting of coated carbon fibers embedded in a concrete matrix, was introduced. However, thermal exposure during domestic fires may impact the release of organic pollutants and fibers during abrasive processing and/or demolition. Consequently, the objective of this study was to explore the emission characteristics of toxic compounds and harmful fibers during the dry-cutting after exposure to 25–600 °C (3 h, air). These parameters mimic the abrasive machining and dismantling after a domestic fire event. Mass spectrometry and chromatography served as analytical methodologies, and no organic pollutants for exposure temperatures ≥ 400 °C were found. In contrast, significant amounts of pyrolysis products from the organic fiber coating were released at lower temperatures. Studying the morphology of the released fibers by electron microscopy revealed a decrease in fiber diameter for temperatures exceeding 450 °C. At ≥550 °C, harmful fibers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, occurred (28–41 × 103 WHO fibers/m3 at 550–600 °C). This leads to the conclusion that there is a demand for restraining and protection measures, such as the use of wet cutting processes, suction devices, particle filtering masks and protective clothing, to handle thermally stressed C3.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number39
Number of pages22
JournalFibers
Volume10
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - May 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85130025269

Keywords