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1st May 2020, 7:55 am | #1 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK.
Posts: 2,039
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Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
Hello all,
Yesterday I began making a microphone pre amp to use with my amateur radio transmitter. For the front panel, I decided to use a piece of double sided PCB that I've had for decades. This was easy to cut, using tin snips and easy to drill. However, it makes a really bad smell, almost like burning and I'm wondering if it's dangerous, contains carcinogens etc. It's not fibreglass but the brown stuff ( paxolin? ) Any advice welcome Thanks Aub
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1st May 2020, 8:09 am | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 656
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
It sounds like SRBP (Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper), widely used still today, as it's cheaper than fibreglass. It's always wise to wear a mask to avoid breathing in dust when drlling or cutting, but I've never heard of it being carcergenic.
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Martin BVWS member GQRP Club |
1st May 2020, 10:04 am | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK.
Posts: 2,039
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
Thanks for the reply. Ah yes SRBP, i remember that now. It still smells so bad, after hours not touching it. I think i'll start again with something else.
Cheers Aub
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1st May 2020, 10:30 am | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 2,820
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
PCB material always stinks when you cut or break it, even just snapping an old PCB makes it smell, I’ve never worried about it, it does settle eventually, though it’s a good idea to wear a mask if cutting or filing it, I’ve tried breathing the dust, and it’s not nice!
Regards Lloyd |
1st May 2020, 10:35 am | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,875
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
It's that old familiar smell from my youth cutting and filing SRBP.
And it smells even worse when it burns due to water going down the back of your old GEC TV when your watering the pot plants! Call me a sadist but I don't mind the smell its kind of comforting that not everything changes Cheers Mike T
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1st May 2020, 10:55 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 5,763
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
The smell from drilling filing or sawing SRBP is phenol formaldehyde resin I believe, also used in the production of Bakelite. If I'm not mistaken, phenol is carbolic acid. There used to be a factory close to the M1 about Junction 28 - Chesterfield area and the phenolic smell was all pervading when driving past. I rather like the smell, but then I like the smell of felt tip markers and meths too, but don't make a habit of inhaling! (On the other hand, I can't abide the smell of bananas or hyacynths, so I guess well all have our sensitivities).
This link is relevant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol_formaldehyde_resin
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David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339. |
1st May 2020, 2:36 pm | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,579
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
Hi.
I've noticed this too in recent years. As a youngster, I recall the smell of cutting and filing the dark SRBP and Veroboards but kind of liked it at the time and enjoyed the aroma as being part of the electronics hobby. Nowadays I find it overbearing and hate using it. I wondered if there was something going on making it outgas more now than when it was new. This kind of goes against the grain as generally the outgassing ought to become less over time. Then I started taking notice of other smells and odours which I never gave any attention to in the past. Any solvent paints, spirits, petrol, vehicle exhaust fumes, bonfires etc all seem very potent compared to years ago. I had learnt that the modern petrol does smell more these days if it has been hanging around in a can or lawn mower for a few months. I think it may be because of the ethanol that's added. My latest bugbear is the new workshop that I've recently built. The OSB floor and roof odours were too overbearing to work in there. After many months it is easing off but I still need to have the windows and door open to feel comfortable working in there. In my case, although I haven't been diagnosed, I believe I've developed an ultra sensitive sense of smell (hyperosmia). I try to avoid smelly chemicals now where possible or at least work outdoors, weather permitting. Regards, Symon. |
1st May 2020, 5:20 pm | #8 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK.
Posts: 2,039
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
Thanks for all the replies, very interesting.
I've used and cut fibreglass pcb loads of times, but not srbp. I only used it as I had a largish sheet of it id never used. Anyway, I've remade the front panel in aluminium. Cheers Aub
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1st May 2020, 10:27 pm | #9 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,579
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Re: Bad Smell from Old PCB Material ?
I've sometimes wondered if it's in order to paint SRBP in order to seal it from the fumes. If it's OK to paint, then does anyone know what type of paint is safe to use? I suppose an oil based enamel paint would be suitable. I also wonder about using water based acrylics which are much safer generally.
Regards, Symon |