Bill, quick question. Is Alumilite low in fumes as casting guys have stated in the past? I am super sensitive due to asthma and was curious before spending the money only to be sent to the hospital and out the price of the product as well. I have tried the Canned stuff from Michaels it danged near sent me to stratus zone ahh! Are there any alumilite products that have no volatile fumes?
Thanks
jb
JB, I chime in on this. I also am asthma, currently a daily medication (On and off for 54 years). About 4 years ago I did Alumilite Clear casting for about 1/2 year. My wife is a chemist, so she was very opinionated against PR. So I got a pressure pot, all misc stuff, and began to cast stamps, carbon fiber, and a few other misc stuff. I had this in my basement, with poor ventilation. All went well, after I got my process down, I probably cast 40-50 blanks over a week.
When I vented the pressure pot, it was probably 1-2 feet away from my face. After a few days my eyes were almost closed shut. After some nifty prednisone, my ugly mug was back to typical, but I began to have skin rashes. My wife clearly stated that I was sensitized by the Alumilite Clear (urethane). She had seen this in her chemical lab (Union Carbide, BF Goodrich, Lubrizol) with assistants who were sloppy and not using their vent hood properly. In their case, sensitizing was permanent, would only get worse with continued exposure and would impact the compatability with other chemicals, fumes, dust, etc... They were transferred to other labs, no option.
It took about 2 years for the skin rashes to settle down, many costly medications that were useless. Prior to the eventual diagnosis (Wifey was correct) I did cast very occasionally (5-10 blanks), but used a system where the pressure pot exhaust port was connected to a hose that vented through a wall outside of my garage. This seemed to work and allow me to dabble with casting - which I no longer do and have gifted my equipment away. I believe the exhaust and skin exposure was my downfall.
My suggestions:
1. Proper ventilation
2. Have a fan blow the fumes away from you, preferably outside
3. Use proper rated gloves and do not get the Alumilite on your skin. Long sleeve shirts.
4. Consider a respirator (After my wife retired I got to keep her industrial one - It even has prescription glasses mountings).
It is probably that these are a bit overkill, but considering we both are asthmatic and enjoy this activity, maybe you will benefit from my experience and avoid my issues.
I also wrote a library article pertaining to my efforts. I'll supply a link in a minute.
Casting Box.
Finally, as with turning certain species of woods, the question may be not will I get sensitized, but how soon.
And - this was with Alumilite Clear, I have no experience with Alumilite clear cast, which as Bill noted is an epoxy and may have different precautions. I am not an expert in this matter - just a humble temporary caster.