Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Asbestos from 10% Fibrocement/Asbestos

TheVoid - 6-5-2018 at 15:17

I have a bit of Asbestos cement sheeting and I would like to separate the asbestos out for use as a catalyst. I don't think the process should be too difficult and it could be as simple as grinding and washing with one or two solvents. asbestos itself should stay as a solid so maybe ill just wash once with every solvent that i have on hand.

Texium - 6-5-2018 at 18:40

I don't know if there's supposed to be a question hidden in there somewhere, but I'll just say, it isn't likely that the cement will be soluble in any solvents. Hydrochloric acid may work though. I don't think that would attack the asbestos, but it should at least partially dissolve and break up the cement.

unionised - 7-5-2018 at 02:58

Why use asbestos?
Glass wool is much less hazardous. Silica gel is good too.

SWIM - 7-5-2018 at 05:17

If that doesn't work out, you can probably just get a big chunk of solid asbestos as a geology sample for a reasonable price.

The stuff is pretty common, at least in some areas.

Out here in California there's a town that's a natural asbestos toxic site because building the town broke and ground up so much asbestos that was just sitting around as rocks that the whole area is now lousy with it.

Not sure how you'd go about making the right form for your application out of a rock without making your place a toxic site, but I don't think it'd be all that hard to deal with compared to some of the stuff folks on this board handle.

If I remember correctly, the solid rocks of it were pretty frangible for rocks, kind of like Mica, but more so.

VSEPR_VOID - 7-5-2018 at 09:21

Quote: Originally posted by unionised  
Why use asbestos?
Glass wool is much less hazardous. Silica gel is good too.


I believe that asbestos is only dangerous when exposed to its fibers chronically. If you have it on hand it would be preferable to buying glass wool.

XeonTheMGPony - 8-5-2018 at 04:00

Quote: Originally posted by VSEPR_VOID  
Quote: Originally posted by unionised  
Why use asbestos?
Glass wool is much less hazardous. Silica gel is good too.


I believe that asbestos is only dangerous when exposed to its fibers chronically. If you have it on hand it would be preferable to buying glass wool.


It is an inhalation hazard, it is harmless when just sitting there, danger comes from disturbance and breaking it up.

So standard and proper handling protocol will be plenty safe. use a locally placed hepa air filter to remove any fibers that get produced and then bag the filter

Wear a fine particle rated dust mask and mask.