Smolnik, G, Penczek, R, Drozd, J, Franek, J, Bucholc, D & Scolari, F 2024, 'A new generation of polyester resin capsules for enhanced health and safety and improved mechanical performance', in P Andrieux & D Cumming-Potvin (eds), Deep Mining 2024: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 621-630, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_37
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2465_37_Scolari/)
Abstract: Styrene is a key ingredient in polyester resin capsules used for rockbolting. However, in the last decade, the knowledge about styrene safety, health, and environmental impact (especially its effects on humans) has increased. Due to health concerns, use of this product in civil construction projects is banned in Europe. For example, the issue of carcinogenicity and harmful effects on fertility or the unborn child were raised. An additional finding and the broader knowledge started raising safety concerns during production and on the end customer’s site.
In this paper, characteristics and performance of a new generation of styrene-free resin capsules are discussed. Among the other relevant mechanical parameters (compressive strength and elastic modulus), stiffness in the comparison with standard polyester resin capsules is also discussed.
Finally, the paper presents field validation tests conducted in underground mines in Finland and Spain. In these tests, the focus was set on resin capsule installation, its repeatability and productivity. New styrenefree capsules have been positively tested on commonly used bolting rigs, for instance, Sandvik automatic resin injection (ARI) system.
The obtained laboratory and field data confirm the high performance of new styrene-free capsules and prove their use in underground mines.

Keywords: styrene-free, resin capsules, rockbolts, carcinogenicity, styrene alternatives