Characterization of Graphite Composite Material Particulates From United States Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Operations

<p>Due to the benefits of their material properties advanced composite materials (ACM) are increasingly being used as structural components on aircraft especially within the United States Air Force. As a result the potential exists for occupational exposures to structural maintenance employees while repairing and fabricating aircraft components. Two field studies were conducted for this thesis in order to characterize ACM aerosol size distribution determine the feasibility of utilizing direct reading instruments (DRIs) in the field and ensure workers are protected with adequate controls. In order to characterize exposure traditional integrated air sampling and DRIs were positioned together near an ACM panel being fabricated. Gravimetric analyses and fiber counts were conducted on the integrated samples whereas particle counts and size distributions were analyzed using the DRIs (optical and condensation particle counters). The second field study involved utilizing the DRIs during a C-17 crash and recovery operation which confirmed they can be helpful for base-level bioenvironmental engineers (BEEs) for recommending personal protective equipment for the clean-up crew. The results of this research suggest that the combination of an OPC and a CPC enable the creation of one particle size distribution that can be used for ensuring adequacy of engineering controls.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>