When it comes to the prevention of occupational risks, certain requirements must be met in all work situations, but even more importantly in ATEX classified areas. In these environments, hand tools are no exception and must meet certain safety standards so that they don’t represent a risk.
One of the most common problems is friction ignition, where the contact of two metals can generate a spark and produce an explosion: anti-spark tools have been developed to prevent this.
Chemical and automotive industries, oil & gas, pulp and paper, the pharmaceutical sector, mining, pyrotechnics, nuclear, agricultural, railways, aviation, weapons, food and other industries are safer environments due to the adoption of non-sparking tools.
The most commonly used materials in the manufacture of these tools are usually alloys of non-ferrous materials such as bronze and copper. Bronze combined with aluminium is the most common option by reason of price, but that does not mean that it is always the most appropriate choice. Copper, alloyed with materials such as beryllium, is ideal for the manufacture of non-sparking tools. Although these tools are more expensive, the greater hardness of the materials used represents an added value, and the longer tool life can compensate the higher initial cost.
Copper-Beryllium tools are generally composed of 96% copper and a small content of up to 2% beryllium, up to 1.2% nickel and cobalt, and the rest of other metals. They have a Rockwell C hardness of 35-40 HRC and a tensile strength of about 1250 N/mm².
Aluminium-Bronze tools, on the other hand, are manufactured with 77% copper and up to 12% aluminium, up to 6% nickel, up to 5.8% iron and manganese, and the rest of other metals. They are less hard and less resistant to wear than Copper-Beryllium models, having a Rockwell C hardness of 25-30 HRC and a tensile strength of approximately 800 N/mm².
It is important to point out that non-sparking tools wear out more quickly than those made of steel, depending on the nature of the working environment, the care given to them and the quality of the manufacturing material. Anti-spark tools also come with anti-corrosion properties for use in aggressive work environments.
However, it is important to take into account that spark-resistant tools made of Aluminium-Bronze or Copper-Beryllium alloys must not be used in environments with the presence of acetylene, since in areas with high temperatures or humidity, the formation of explosive acetylides can be triggered on contact with the tool.
As they are not as resistant as steel tools, it is very important to carry out exhaustive maintenance in order to extend their useful lifespan, so it is advisable to follow these recommendations:
? Always clean tools after use to avoid any deterioration.
? Avoid contact with corrosive products, which may affect the properties of their materials.
? Frequent checks should be carried out on non-sparking tools such as hammers, striking wrenches, sockets, etc., which are particularly prone to wear.
Progressively, a great many companies active in potentially dangerous sectors such as gas producing plants, petrochemical factories, pharmaceutical industries, mining and airports, hazardous materials warehouses, the nautical sector and many others have come to appreciate the importance of using anti-spark tools in all their maintenance departments with a view to avoiding accidents that put human lives at risk.
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