FUMES GENERATED DURING LASER PROCESSING OF POLYVINYL-CHLORIDE (PVC)

An approach to the assessment of fumes produced in laser material proc essing is presented. The subsequent design of the fume containment sys tem and sampling strategy is detailed. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has be en selected for investigation and the complexity resulting from the pl ethora of additives is discussed. Qualitative results from the prelimi nary studies of CO2 laser cutting of PVC are presented together with a n appraisal of the problems involved in extending this to quantitative analysis. Benzene, hydrogen chloride (HCl) and methyl methacrylate we re found to be the dominant emissions.