SAFETY
RULES
SAFETY
RULES
FOR
SEALS
VITON
SEALS
(fluoroelastomer)
Seals, especially VITON O-Rings, (normally coloured red)
are used
in
systems operating at high temperatures, since
this materials resists the effects of heat. However,
in
the
event this material
is
subject to heat exceeding 315
°C
(in
practice, only
in
case of fire or when using welding flames)
fluoridic acid
is
generated. This acid
is
highly corrosive
and
could cause severe
burns,
if
in
contact with the skin.
Every time it
is
necessary to intervene
on
components
equipped with VITON rings, for which an exposure to
excessive temperatures
is
suspected, the following proce-
dures must
be
applied:
1)
inspect visually, without touching them,
all
seals show-
ing signs of damage due to high temperature. They
look black and tacky;
2) identify the type of material of the seals, if they are
VITON, performing the test illustrated below,
on
the
spare parts;
3)
in
case it is verified, or there is a reasonable doubt that
the components are made of VITON, the contaminated
area MUST be decontaminated before proceeding
with further operations;
4) wear neoprene rubber or PVC gloves and protection
goggles or face screen, and wash accurately the
contaminated zone with a solution of hydraulic lime
(found at building stores) and water, so that a milky
liquid is obtained. Rinse carefully with steam or run-
ning water;
5) dispose of the materials removed and the protective
gloves
in
a safe manner, without burning them.
TEST
FOR
THE
DISCRIMINATION
OF
RUBBER
(BUNA
N)
MATERIALS
AND "VITON" (FLUOROELASTOMER) MATERIAL
-
--
WATER
-
---
-
-
-
M
~
NITRILIC/BUNA N RUBBER
FLOATS
TRICHLORO-
ETHVLENE
VIII
-
--
WATER
-
---
-
-
-
--
-
~
~
VITON"
FLUOROELASTOMER
SINKS
To Next Page
Loading...
