Risks involved with Laser cutting ITO coated plastic.

Share your information, hints and discuss Laser cutters/engravers

Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
Locked
NathanW93
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 9:48 am

Risks involved with Laser cutting ITO coated plastic.

Post by NathanW93 »

Hi,

For a project of mine, I am going to be using a laser cutter with your ITO coated plastic.

I am required to do a risk assessment on this process and was wondering if you know of any risks or by products of laser cutting the material?

Thanks for your time,

Nathan

User avatar
adafruit_support_mike
 
Posts: 67446
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:51 pm

Re: Risks involved with Laser cutting ITO coated plastic.

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

The best place to start would be with MSDS records for ITO and PET, then do some back-of-the-envelope estimates on exposure.

ITO itself is fairly inert, but can potentially break down into tin and indium oxides under heat. There are some health issues associated with long-term exposure to tin oxide, and indium oxide is known to be toxic. All heated plastics produce fumes that can be irritants to the eyes or respiratory system.

You have to consider dosages though.. PET is processed industrially by the ton, and the conditions in those factories have to meet OSHA standards. The amount of ITO on the surface of a sheet of plastic is probably in the milligram range (rounding up) and the amount volatized by laser cutting will be in the microgram range. Taking diffusion in air into account, we're into concentrations usually associated with homeopathy.

I'd say working in a room with decent ventilation would more than offset any chemical risks, especially if you aren't planning to cut the stuff eight hours a day for six months.

User avatar
tubular
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:32 pm

Re: Risks involved with Laser cutting ITO coated plastic.

Post by tubular »

Hi Nathan,

Did you ever complete your risk assessment? If so I'd be interested in what you came up with.

Locked
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.

Return to “Laser”