this post was submitted on 27 May 2024
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I've been looking into this material due to the really nice surface finish and clean look (actually purchased some already 😅)

However I recently came across a video by CNC kitchen where he raised some potential health concerns relating to the fibers specifically inside the filament. One of the commenters mentioned they couldn't wash the fibers off their skin, and another likened it to the "3d printing equivalent of asbestos"

I don't plan to print with it just yet due to needing a hardened nozzle, and spare extruder parts. However when I do, i'm feeling a little worried about how safe it is - mainly whether the final printed part is fine for occasional skin contact, or whether this material should ideally be left to just cosmetic parts.

P.S. image not mine, taken from here

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 1 year ago

Wear gloves, eye protection, and an appropriate mask if you’re going to do any sanding. Carbon fiber is a great material, but if you breathe in the particulates from sanding, it could cause lung damage. I would imagine there is similar risk if it gets in your eyes (hence eye protection). The gloves suggestion was there because you feel concerned about skin contact.

The standard, “print only in well ventilated areas” always applied, because heat + polymers = noxious gases.

Here’s some good info that may give you what you’re looking good for:

https://www.osha.gov/otm/section-3-health-hazards/chapter-1#6

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

In theory it should be mostly fine to touch, idk much about it either unfortunately. it might be a good idea to put some sort of spray on sealer if you will be touching it regularly and are concerned about it at all.

It is definitely dangerous to sand or cut with a saw or something, definitely want to do that outside with gloves and a respirator because then you're getting loose fibers both on you and airborne.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

I can't find much literature about it, did find this safe handling procedures from UNSW Sydney if interested. I'd say if you're concerned, don't use it. The fibres themselves to me are a concern when out of the polymer, so take precautions when sanding or cutting, glove up and wear a mask + eye protection, probably should consider wet sanding too to reduce airborn dust. Print in an enclosure with ventilation, same precautions you'd take for abs and nylon, you don't want to be around that when it's printing. As I said though, if you do have any concerns, don't use it, there are matte finished filaments if thats the look you're going for.

What was CNC kitchen's concerns? As above, personally I'd be concerned while disturbing the plastic through printing, cutting, sanding etc, just handling it wouldn't be on the top of my list unless the plastic has degraded or been damaged in some way, pretty much how I'd treat anything with fine fibres or particles in it.

At the end of it, I'm just some guy on the internet, if you have concerns, don't risk it. If you do decide to use it, treat it with respect like you would anything with fine particles or fibres.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Not sure, but I think it also benefits from ventilation. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than both of us chimes in!