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Manufacture, use & exposure

Formulation

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Formulation

Registration/ Notification status for the use:
use registered according to REACH Article 10; total tonnage manufactured/imported >=10tonnes/year per registrant
Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of powder mixtures containing fused carbide
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 4:
Step 1: Preparation of the mixed powder or “Premix”
Step 2: Granulation (Optional)
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Name of activity / technique:
Step 1: Preparation of the mixed powder or “Premix”
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 8b:
Step 1: Preparation of the mixed powder or “Premix”
Step 3: Packaging
Step 4: Maintenance and cleaning
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
Step 3: Packaging
Process category (PROC):
PROC 9: Transfer of substance or mixture into small containers (dedicated filling line, including weighing)
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of diamond tools
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
Step 1: Preparation - Raw material handling: All raw materials, metals (eg. cobalt) carbides, and also granulating agents (resins and polymers) and diamonds are received and stored in closed containers. Grade formulation and granulation: Raw materials for a given grade are weighed and transferred with a solvent to a blender or an automatic granulating machine. This involves a large part of manual operations. Possible exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
Step 2: Shaping by cold pressing - In order to be easily manipulated and transferred to the sintering process, the grade powders are cold pressed into green parts having the exact weight of the future diamond segment or bead. For small series, this involves manual operation. Large series are automated. This step is not used for the preparation of tools by impregnation techniques (see step 3). Possible exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
PROC 14: Tabletting, compression, extrusion, pelletisation, granulation
Name of activity / technique:
Step 3: Sintering - This operation brings the diamond segment / bead / tool to a density of more than 95% of theoretical. Four techniques are used :
Hot press: The green parts are fitted in complex graphite tools, which are simultaneously pressed and heated by resistance through the punches. The press usually operates in air. Within minutes, the parts achieve the required density. After cooling, the parts are recovered and de-burred. This process requires manual operation. Parts that do not achieve the proper density may be re-processed by hot isostatic pressing.
“ASAHI” type: This is used for small diameter diamond saws. The steel core is fitted into a steel mould, and the granulated diamond mix is poured around the steel core. The mould is then closed and a pile of moulds is transferred to a bell furnace. A pressure is applied during the whole sintering cycle. After a sintering time of typically one hour, the pile is allowed to cool down and finished tools are obtained. Operations are largely manual.
Free sintering: Pressed parts are sintered without pressure under reducing atmosphere in belt or batch furnaces at typically 950°C. Placing the pressed parts on trays is manual, then the furnace is automatic. This technique is widely used for diamond beads used in wire saws.
Impregnation: The diamond mix is poured into a graphite mould and a low melting point alloy (solid or powder form) is put on top of the mix. The mould is then transferred to a furnace. The alloy melts and impregnates the diamond mix to achieve high density. This technique is used for core drills and drill bits.
Possible limited exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
PROC 14: Tabletting, compression, extrusion, pelletisation, granulation
PROC 22: Potentially closed processing operations with minerals/metals at elevated temperature. Industrial setting
PROC 25: Other hot work operations with metals
Name of activity / technique:
Step 4: Post-sintering treatments / Finishing - Diamond segments can be sold directly or used in house for the manufacturing of diamond tools. Their use is the same in both cases. Assembling of diamond tools: Hot pressed segments are brazed or laser welded on a steel core. Free sintered beads are brazed on a steel tube. This step is not needed for ASAHI sintering, impregnation and hot isostatic pressing of beads. Sharpening: All types of tools are “sharpened” with grinding wheels in order to make the superficial diamonds protrude.
Process category (PROC):
PROC 3: Manufacture or formulation in the chemical industry in closed batch processes with occasional controlled exposure or processes with equivalent containment conditions
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
PROC 24: High (mechanical) energy work-up of substances bound in materials and/or articles
PROC 25: Other hot work operations with metals
Name of activity / technique:
Step 5: Maintenance and cleaning - Various maintenance and cleaning operations inside and outside the equipment. Exposure to fused tungsten carbide powder possible
Process category (PROC):
PROC28: Manual maintenance (cleaning and repair) of machinery
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR

Formulation

Registration/ Notification status for the use:
use registered according to REACH Article 10; total tonnage manufactured/imported >=10tonnes/year per registrant
Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of hardfacing wire containing fused carbide
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 4:
Step 1: Preparation
Step 2: Production
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Name of activity / technique:
Step 1: Preparation
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 8b:
Step 1: Preparation
Step 3: Maintenance and cleaning
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Process category (PROC):
PROC 3: Manufacture or formulation in the chemical industry in closed batch processes with occasional controlled exposure or processes with equivalent containment conditions
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Process category (PROC):
PROC 14: Tabletting, compression, extrusion, pelletisation, granulation
Process category (PROC):
PROC 22: Potentially closed processing operations with minerals/metals at elevated temperature. Industrial setting
Process category (PROC):
PROC 24: High (mechanical) energy work-up of substances bound in materials and/or articles
Process category (PROC):
PROC 25: Other hot work operations with metals
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Process category (PROC):
PROC 9: Transfer of substance or mixture into small containers (dedicated filling line, including weighing)
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of hardfacing wire containing fused tungsten carbide
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
Raw material handling: All raw materials, metals and carbides are received and stored in closed containers.
Step 1: Preparation - Grade formulation and granulation: Raw materials for a given grade are weighed and transferred to a blender. This involves a large part of manual operations. Mixing operation: fused tungsten carbide is blended with other raw materials in a batch. The mixture is transferred to a production area. Possible exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders.
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
Step 2: Production -
Hardfacing rods: The blended powders, including a low melting point alloy, are placed in rod shaped moulds. The moulds are heated over the melting point of the alloy in order to consolidate the material. After cooling, the rods, removed from the moulds, are ready for use and sold as articles.
Filled wire: The blended powders are placed inside a narrow steel tube or an extruder, which are used to draw fused tungsten carbide mixture into a coarse wire. This wire is ready for use and sold as an article. Possible exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Name of activity / technique:
Step 3: Maintenance and cleaning - Various maintenance and cleaning operations inside and outside the equipment. Exposure to fused tungsten carbide powder possible
Process category (PROC):
PROC28: Manual maintenance (cleaning and repair) of machinery
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of hardfacing wire containing fused carbide
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 4:
Step 1: Preparation
Step 2: Production
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Name of activity / technique:
Step 1: Preparation
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 8b:
Step 1: Preparation
Step 3: Maintenance and cleaning
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of hardfacing wire containing fused carbide
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 4:
Step 1: Preparation
Step 2: Production
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Name of activity / technique:
Step 1: Preparation
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 8b:
Step 1: Preparation
Step 3: Maintenance and cleaning
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
PC 38: Welding and soldering products, flux products
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of powder mixtures containing fused carbide
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 4:
Step 1: Preparation of the mixed powder or “Premix”
Step 2: Granulation (Optional)
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
Name of activity / technique:
Step 1: Preparation of the mixed powder or “Premix”
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
The following activities were individually coded as PROC 8b:
Step 1: Preparation of the mixed powder or “Premix”
Step 3: Packaging
Step 4: Maintenance and cleaning
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
Step 3: Packaging
Process category (PROC):
PROC 9: Transfer of substance or mixture into small containers (dedicated filling line, including weighing)
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR

Formulation

Contributing activity / technique for the environment
Name of activity / technique:
Production of powder mixtures containing fused tungsten carbide
Environmental release category (ERC):
ERC3: Formulation into solid matrix
Contributing activity / technique for workersopen allclose all
Name of activity / technique:
Step 1: Preparation of the mixed powder or “Premix”. Raw material handling - All raw materials, metals, carbides, and also granulating agents (resins and polymers) are received and stored in closed containers.
Grade formulation: Raw materials for a given grade are weighed and transferred to an intensive mixer. Loading and unloading are made through powder tight systems, but mixer cleaning involves manual operation. The finished premix is stored in powder-tight metal containers. The premix can be used as such (go to step 3) or transformed in granules (see step 2). Possible exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders.
Process category (PROC):
PROC 4: Chemical production where opportunity for exposure arises
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
Step 2: Granulation (Optional) - Raw materials for a given grade are weighed and transferred with a solvent to an automatic granulating machine. This machine granulates, dries and sieves the granules. This step involves manual operations. The finished granules are stored in powder-tight metal containers. Possible exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8a: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at non-dedicated facilities
Name of activity / technique:
Step 3: Packaging - The product, either premix or granules, is weighed and packed in steel drums with inner polythene bags. Possible short-term exposure to fused tungsten carbide fine powders
Process category (PROC):
PROC 8b: Transfer of substance or mixture (charging and discharging) at dedicated facilities
PROC 9: Transfer of substance or mixture into small containers (dedicated filling line, including weighing)
Name of activity / technique:
Step 4: Maintenance and cleaning - Various maintenance and cleaning operations inside and outside the equipment. Exposure to fused tungsten carbide powder is possible.
Process category (PROC):
PROC28: Manual maintenance (cleaning and repair) of machinery
Product category formulated:
PC 7: Base metals and alloys
Substance supplied to that use in form of:
as such
Related assessment:
use assessed in a joint CSR