DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_37
Cite As:
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, pp. 621-630,
https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2465_37
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
References:
British Standards Institution 2007, Strata Reinforcement Support System Components Used in Coal Mines – Part 1: Specification for Rockbolting (BS 7861-1:2007), London.
European Chemicals Agency 2023, Styrene, Helsinki,
European Union 2014, Hazardous Substances Subject to Declaration - Construction Product Regulation - Article 6(5), Regulation 305/2011/EU on Marketing of Construction Products, amended by Regulation 574/2014/EU, 28 May 2014.
Huff, J & Infante, P 2011, ‘Styrene exposure and risk of cancer’, Mutagenesis, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 583–584.
National Toxicology Program 2021, Report on Carcinogens, 15th edn, Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
US Department of Labor n.d., Styrene, Occupational Health and Safety Administration,
Vineis, P & Zeise, L 2002, Styrene-7,8-oxide and Styrene, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph 82, pp. 72–78.