Resistance of Medical Gloves to Permeation by Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and 1,4-Butanediol Dimethacrylate (1,4-BDMA)

Gloves afford hand protection by minimizing skin contact. The effectiveness of medical gloves to protect against permeation of the monomers, methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (1,4-BDMA), was assessed focusing on permeation rates and degradation of glove materials caused by monomer contact. Fifteen different brands of gloves were tested using a European Standard procedure. Surface images of glove materials before and after exposure to the monomer mixture were obtained using a scanning electron microscope. The standard is not applicable as the only method for estimating the safety of gloves, but it is useful as guideline together with the cumulative permeation of acrylic monomers. Monomer contact on the outside resulted in substantial swelling of most glove materials, and structure changes of the inside surface.     

Permeability of Organic Solvents Through Two-Layer Safety Gloves Determined by a Gravimetric Method

Organic solvents are harmful to humans, and many of them are recognized as carcinogens. Therefore, it is necessary to protect hands from contact with them. Most methods for testing solvent resistance of gloves use gas chromatography. However, these methods are expensive and so complex that they present application problems for most glove producers and users. A simple gravimetric method to test solvent resistance o f gloves was developed. It was tested by measuring the permeability of organic solvents such as white spirit, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, benzene, p-xylene, and trichloroethylene through gloves made of natural rubber, polyvinyl chloride, neoprene, perbunan, polyvinyl alcohol, and two-layer gloves made of natural rubber and neoprene. This method proved to be a simple, economical, and reliable way to examine glove permeability.     

Examining the effectiveness of anti-vibration gloves with a neural network

Whether anti-vibration gloves are effective in protecting against vibrations depends not only on the materials they are made of, but also on the parameters of the source of vibration. Depending on those parameters, the effectiveness of the same means of protection may be radically different. This article presents a methodology of using a neural network to test anti-vibration gloves. A network can map gloves in various conditions, i.e., for vibrations of various amplitudes and spectra, and for various forces exerted by the worker on a tool. Real, measured vibration signals produced by different tools were used in training a neural network. The results presented in this article prove that real properties of gloves are accurately represented by their models developed as a result of training a neural network.     

Hands on explosives: Safety testing of protective measures

Several attempts have been made to test the suitability of protective measures for the handling of explosives. We investigated the suitability of safety gloves and a combined safety helmet and face shield. In the presented studies, three different experimental setups were used to simulate the effects of an explosion of a primary explosive in a glass flask on the glove or helmet protected body. Depending on the experimental setup, the fragment effects were evaluated and compared. Furthermore, the fragment distribution of an explosion inside a glass flask was investigated. The explosion of 1 g of lead azide in a 10 mL flask yielded approximately 14,000 glass fragments. However, most of the shards were accelerated down- and side-wards and only few upwards. Holding a flask on its neck (instead of its bottom) is therefore a simple but effective way of diminishing the risk of injury, when handling explosives. The safety helmet/face shield performed very well, by shielding the face from all fragments. Furthermore, it could be proven that DIN and EN standard testing procedures for gloves are unsuitable to simulate the effects of a respective explosion.In this article, the progress in the development of realistic testing procedures for the testing of gloves for the protection against fragmentation effects of glassware in situations involving explosions is reported and the results and methods of previous tests are summarized.     

Using consequence analysis on some chlorine operation hazards and their possible effects on neighborhoods in central Taiwan

The applications of chlorine have been broadly used in many industrial products, such as bleaching agents, synthetic rubbers, plastics, disinfectants, iron chlorides, fire refractory materials, insecticides, and anti-freezers, etc. According to the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA), more than 30 thousand tons were used in the year 2000. In addition, there were more than 12 reported incidents from 2000 to 2003—mostly on using chlorine as disinfectants (five) and as process agents (four).

This study investigated 15 chlorine operation plants in central Taiwan. These chlorine usages included bleaching agents, disinfectants, iron chloride, synthesizing rubber plastics, and others. Thirteen plants were located in the industrial parks and two were in or near residential zones. The consequence analysis were used three different methods to analyze the worst-case scenarios (WCSs) and alternative release case scenarios (ACSs) in order to compare impact zones for applying various active and passive mitigation systems, such as confined space, scrubber, water-spray, and so no. For two plants in or near residential zones, multi-layers mitigation systems and operation limits should be implemented in order to enforce more stringent protection measures. However, there was no specific regulation for chlorine plants operated at different locations, such as industrial parks or residential zones. In order to reduce chemical accidents and their impacts on public safety, our results suggest that source mitigation/management and warning systems should be adopted simultaneously.     

A suggested approach to the selection of chemical and biological protective clothing--meeting industry and emergency response needs for protection against a variety of hazards.

The paper describes the development of a comprehensive decision logic for selection and use of biological and chemical protective clothing (BCPC). The decision logic recognizes the separate areas of BCPC use among emergency, biological, and chemical hazards. The proposed decision logic provides a system for type classifying BCPC in terms of its compliance with existing standards (for emergency applications), the overall clothing integrity, and the material barrier performance. Type classification is offered for garments, gloves, footwear, and eye/face protection devices. On the basis of multiple, but simply designed flowcharts, the type of BCPC appropriate for specific biological and chemical hazards can be selected. The decision logic also provides supplemental considerations for choosing appropriate BCPC features.     

Method of Testing the Penetration of Acid Solutions Through Safety Gloves

Because they cause burns that are difficult to heal, acids are dangerous, and steps should be taken to ensure that the human skin does not come into contact with them. For this purpose safety gloves are generally used by workers who have to handle acids. Such gloves need to be tested to ensure that they are acid resistant. Standard EN 374 (European Committee for Standardization [CEN], 1993c) specifies a method of testing the permeation of liquid chemicals, on a molecular level, through glove material, but it may be difficult to ensure the fitness of the joints of a two-compartment cell, when gloves are lined with jersey. To deal with this a simple pH-meter method to test the permeation of acid and alkali solutions through safety gloves has been developed. The permeation of H₂S0₄, HCI, HN0₃, and CH₃COOH through gloves made from neoprene, nitrile, and PVC was tested. This method seems to be simple and economical.     

Gloves against mineral oils and mechanical hazards: composites of carboxylated acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber latex

Resistance to permeation of noxious chemical substances should be accompanied by resistance to mechanical factors because the glove material may be torn, cut or punctured in the workplace. This study reports on glove materials, protecting against mineral oils and mechanical hazards, made of carboxylated acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (XNBR) latex. The obtained materials were characterized by a very high resistance of the produced materials to oil permeation (breakthrough time?>?480?min). The mechanical properties, and especially tear resistance, of the studied materials were improved after the addition of modified bentonite (nanofiller) to the XNBR latex mixture. The nanocomposite meets the requirements in terms of parameters characterizing tear, abrasion, cut and puncture resistance. Therefore, the developed material may be used for the production of multifunctional protective gloves.     

Development of new footwear sole surface pattern for prevention of slip-related falls

In this study, a new rubber surface pattern for a footwear sole was developed to prevent slip-related falls. This pattern shows a high static coefficient of friction (SCOF) and a high dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) when sliding against a liquid contaminated surface. A hybrid rubber block, in which a rubber block with a rough surface (Ra = 30.4 μm) was sandwiched between two rubber blocks with smooth surfaces (Ra = 0.98 μm), was prepared. The ratio of the rough surface area to the whole rubber block surface area r was 0%, 30%, 50%, 80%, and 100%. The coefficient of friction of the rubber blocks was measured when sliding against a stainless steel plate with Ra of 0.09 μm contaminated with a 90% aqueous solution of glycerol. While the SCOF increased with an increase of the rough surface area ratio r, the DCOF during steady-state sliding decreased with an increase of the rough surface area ratio r. The rough surface area ratio of 50% achieved a SCOF value around 0.5 or more and a DCOF value greater than 0.5. Furthermore, the difference in the value of the SCOF and DCOF was the smallest for the rubber block with r of 50%. The results indicated that the rubber block with r of 50% would be applicable to a footwear sole surface pattern to prevent slip and fall accidents on contaminated surfaces.     

The Effect of Protective Gloves on Manual Dexterity in the Cold Environments

This article presents a study on the effect of different protective gloves (which are commercially available and commonly used in the cold) on manual dexterity in cold environments. The experiments compared statistically four different types of gloves and two different types of gloving (outer or double) at +19 °C and -10 °C. Performance was determined both objectively and subjectively using two manual dexterity tasks: bolt-nut and pick-up tasks. The response measured was the time of performing each task. Statistical analysis showed that all independent factors such as glove type, participant, object size, and temperature had significant effects on the hand cooling reaction. A significant difference in the performance between the gloves was found in the bolt-nut task. It was also found that outer-inner combination gloving may be an approach to use for precision tasks.     

Evaluation of the flexibility of protective gloves.

Two mechanical methods have been developed for the characterization of the flexibility of protective gloves, a key factor affecting their degree of usefulness for workers. The principle of the first method is similar to the ASTM D 4032 standard relative to fabric stiffness and simulates the deformations encountered by gloves that are not tight fitted to the hand. The second method characterizes the flexibility of gloves that are worn tight fitted. Its validity was theoretically verified for elastomer materials. Both methods should prove themselves as valuable tools for protective glove manufacturers, allowing for the characterization of their existing products in terms of flexibility and the development of new ones better fitting workers' needs.     

新型高沸点灭火剂与弹性密封材料的相容性研究*

为研究灭火剂与弹性密封材料的相容性问题,开展2种新型高沸点灭火剂2-溴-3,3,3三氟丙烯（2-BTP）、全氟己酮（Novec 1230）与飞机固定式灭火系统中3种常用密封橡胶材料硅橡胶（SI）、氟橡胶（FKM）和氟硅橡胶（FVQM）的全浸泡和反复浸泡实验,并对实验后橡胶基础物理参数与表面微观形貌进行测试与分析。结果表明:在全浸泡实验中,SI,FVQM与2-BTP相容性较好,SI,FKM,FVQM与Novec 1230相容性较好,可作为静态密封材料使用;在反复浸泡实验后,SI,FVQM在Novec 1230中性能变化较小,可作为其动态密封材料使用;SI,FKM,FVQM在2-BTP中力学性能大幅下降,不建议作为2-BTP灭火系统的动态密封材料使用。     

合成氨装置系统安全仪表系统安全完整性等级分析

论文在介绍安全仪表系统、安全完整性等级的基本原理基础上,综合分析了危险与可操作性分析(HAZOP)、保护层分析(LOPA)等系统风险分析理论的应用方法。并结合上述理论,确定了安全仪表系统的安全完整性等级(SIL)定级。以合成氨装置为例,应用HAZOP及保护层分析方法,得出了合成塔压力过高及废热锅炉液位过低2个场景下的安全完整性SIL等级。结果表明:合成塔装置仪表的SIL等级为1,废热锅炉仪表的SIL等级为2。     

新型气体灭火剂对飞机用橡胶材料的腐蚀性能研究*

为研究氢氟烯烃（HFOs）与氢氟氯烯烃（HCFOs）灭火剂对于飞机用橡胶密封材料的腐蚀性,通过实验研究6种新型气体灭火剂（R1234yf,R1234ze,R1234ze-E,R1233xf,R1233zd,R1336mzz-E）,对目前飞机用4种橡胶O型圈（硅橡胶VMQ,氟橡胶FKM,氟硅橡胶FVMQ和丁腈橡胶NBR）的腐蚀作用。在70 ℃,0.1 MPa工况下开展腐蚀实验,对实验前后橡胶的性能参数进行测试,并结合红外测试结果进行性能下降分析。结果表明:R1336mzz-E可对FKM造成腐蚀,样品拉伸强度下降20.91%,拉断伸长率下降44.28%,且表面褪色、开裂;FVMQ在R1234ze气氛中发生严重的交联老化反应,拉伸强度下降44.4%;R1336mzz-E对FVMQ造成腐蚀,暴露后拉伸强度下降39.96%。     

浓度对橡胶粉尘爆炸特性的影响

为了解橡胶粉尘的爆炸危险性,采用20 L球爆炸测试装置对常温常压下、粒径75μm以下的橡胶粉尘在质量浓度50~700 g/m3范围内的爆炸特性进行试验研究,测定其最大爆炸压力及爆炸指数随质量浓度的变化规律,进而对其爆炸危险性程度进行分级。结果表明:橡胶粉尘质量浓度为300 g/m3时,爆炸压力达到最大值0.49MPa;在橡胶粉尘质量浓度为250 g/m3时,爆炸指数达到最大值5.04MPa·m/s,根据ISO 6184粉尘爆炸烈度等级分级标准,其粉尘爆炸危险性分级为St-1级。     

GP/APP膨胀阻燃体系对硅橡胶复合材料阻燃及抑烟性能的影响

为了探究石墨粉 (GP) 与聚磷酸铵 (APP) 膨胀阻燃体系对硅橡胶复合材料的阻燃及抑烟特性的影响，采用锥形量热仪 (CCT)、热重分析仪 (TG) 及极限氧指数测试仪 (LOI) 对阻燃硅橡胶复合材料进行表征。研究结果表明:与单独添加膨胀阻燃剂APP的阻燃硅橡胶相比，添加GP/APP膨胀阻燃体系可有效提升燃烧过程中形成的膨胀碳层的致密度，降低阻燃硅橡胶复合材料的热释放速率及总烟释放量，提高阻燃硅橡胶复合材料高温阶段的热稳定性，提升阻燃硅橡胶复合材料的燃烧成炭率和质量保持率； 使阻燃硅橡胶复合材料的氧指数值增大。     

中空玻璃微珠/氮化硼填充硅橡胶复合材料的介电、导热和阻燃性能研究

为满足5G电子封装材料的性能需求,将一定量的改性中空玻璃微珠(f-HGM)和氮化硼(f-BN)添加进加成型液体硅橡胶中制备了低介电、高导热且阻燃的硅橡胶复合材料。测试结果表明,添加了10份f-HGM和15份f-BN的复合材料的介电常数为2.68,介电损耗为0.008 16,显著低于纯硅橡胶,热导率为0.518 W/m·K,是纯硅橡胶的2.25倍。此外,复合材料的热稳定性得到了提升,pHRR和THR分别下降了55.3%和37.7%。通过气相和凝聚相分析发现,复合材料的气相热解产物浓度大幅降低,残炭的致密性和连续性得到显著提升。     

氢氧化镁/红磷对硅橡胶/黏土纳米复合物阻燃性能的研究

选用甲基乙烯基硅橡胶(MVMQ)和十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(C16BrN)改性的蒙脱土(OMMT)纳米复合材料为原料,以氢氧化镁/微胶囊化红磷(MH/MRP)为阻燃剂,以气相法白炭黑为补强剂,用熔融共混法制备了无卤阻燃MVMQ纳米复合材料。笔者采用XRD表征制备的MVMQ/OMMT纳米复合物的结构,用机械性能测试研究气相法白炭黑和OMMT对MVMQ的协效补强作用,通过极限氧指数、UL94 V垂直燃烧法、环境扫描电镜(ESEM)和热重分析(TG)等分析测试手段研究其燃烧性能和热性能,结合材料宏观燃烧性能的改变,推断OMMT和MH/MRP对MVMQ的阻燃作用机理。     

带压作业闸板防喷器胶芯失效机理研究

针对带压作业过程中闸板防喷器胶芯易失效的问题,以现场使用的带压作业闸板防喷器胶芯为研究对象,通过实验确定了橡胶基体的本构关系,利用ABAQUS软件对比研究了4种不同井筒压力对胶芯的疲劳失效与密封失效的影响。结果表明:分析结果与现场应用胶芯的失效位置相符,验证了分析的正确性;胶芯的疲劳失效位置集中在橡胶基体与闸板上下部的4个尖角接触区域,上部区域失效严重;井筒压力的大小影响橡胶基体密封面上的接触应力分布,但对耐磨块密封面上接触应力分布影响不显著。建议在橡胶基体与闸板上下部的4个尖角区域补强以增加胶芯寿命。