Healthy Welding Wire? No Cancer-Causing CrVI Emissions Here
Free of chromium and nickel, EnDOtec Safe-Hard 600 wire range from Castolin Eutectic has reduced fume emissions and complies with the strictest European Exposure Occupational Limits. Perhaps more than 120 million workers are exposed to harmful welding-related fumes, so removing Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI) is an engineering, chemistry and safety coup.
Posted: March 26, 2020
After two years of investigation as well as laboratory and field testing, Castolin Eutectic has released the high-performance EnDOtec Safe-Hard 600 welding wire with zero risks of CrVI emissions coming from the welding material.
The company is on a mission to eliminate CrVI from the working environment – here’s why: Worldwide, approximately 11 million workers are employed as welders, and about 110 million additional workers probably incur welding-related fume exposure. Exposure determinants include the process, material welded, ventilation, degree of enclosure and use of personal protection. Safe-Hard 600 fumes contain no CrVI. Mission accomplished.
Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI) is the chromium in any chemical compound that contains the element Cr in the +6 oxidation state. CrVI can be formed when welding on different base materials and using different filler metals. The critical effect of the hexavalent chromium (CrVI) – containing compounds is lung cancer among other physical issues like hypersensitivity, corrosion of the skin, irritation of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract.
The European Directive 2017/2398 sets the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for the Cr(VI) to 0,025mg/m3 and after five years a decrease to 0,005mg/m3. Some more stringent requirements are already in place in countries like Germany, France and the U.S.
The most popular filler metal in the hardfacing market is the 600 HB wire type, whose resistance is based on the 9%Cr and 0.6%C chemistry. According to figures from the European Welding Association, the company estimates a volume of 1.000 tons in flux-cored wire and 1.800 tons in solid wire usage in Europe alone. Emissions of CrVI from this big-volume welding material are potentially very dangerous for welders and nearby workers.
The distinctive feature of this kind of wires is the right balance between abrasion and impact resistance – at a good price. The EnDOtec SAFE-HARD 600 is a solid core wire that can cover both flux-cored wire and solid wire applications with added value. New chemistry improves abrasion and impact resistance compared to traditional 600HB without any risk of cracking.
Please note: Extraction and filtration of fumes are still mandatory. Safe-Hard actively contributes to reducing the risk, but personal protection and compliance with all safety rules still apply.
