Artificial mineral fibres, asbestos and carbon fibres
Not sure whether your building materials contain respirable fibres such as asbestos, artificial mineral fibres or carbon fibres? With a fibre analysis, we give you fast certainty. Equipped with 4 modern scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and EDX systems for X-ray microanalysis, we are able to reliably examine your samples for fibres hazardous to health in accordance with national and international standards and guidelines.
Our range of services in the field of fibre analysis
Asbestos
- Analysis of material samples according to guidelines VDI 3866 sheet 5:2017-06, BIA/IFA method 7487
- Analysis of dust samples according to guidelines VDI 3866 sheet 5:2017-06, VDI 3877 sheet 1
- Evaluation of air measurements indoors or at the workplace according to guidelines VDI 3492 / VDI 3861 sheet 2 / BGI 505-46 / ISO 14966
- Analysis of asbestos in liquids according to VDI 3492
Artificial mineral fibres (MMMF), ceramic fibres
- the testing of artificial mineral fibre products for the presence of WHO fibres by means of scanning electron microscopy, SEM
- the determination of the carcinogenicity index (KI) according to IFA / BIA method 7488
- evaluation of air measurements indoors or at the workplace according to the guidelines VDI 3492 / VDI 3861 Bl. 2 / BGI 505-46 / ISO 14966
- carrying out fibre thickness measurements on products made of artificial mineral fibres incl. statistical evaluation, e.g. fibre thickness distribution, Length Weighted Geometric Mean Diameter (LWGMD)
Carbon fibres
Testing of materials containing carbon fibres for respirable fibres analogous to valid standards for asbestos and mineral fibre analysis.
Order asbestos fibre analyses easily online
You can request your asbestos analysis quickly and easily using our online form: simply register your sample online, bag it up and send it off. Within three to four days of receipt, you will have your legally binding result.
Are you a corporate customer? Use our quick order form to request even comprehensive fibre analyses with just a few clicks:
Ceramic fibres, high temperature wool (HTW)
Frequently asked questions on fibre analysis
What are WHO fibres?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), elongated particles with a diameter of less than 3 micrometres, a length of more than 5 µm and a length-to-diameter ratio of more than 3:1 are considered potentially harmful to health if they are bio-resistant. Fibres with these properties are referred to as WHO fibres.
Fibrous particles with a diameter of 3 or more micrometres are not considered respirable. An exception here are fibres that can split longitudinally into finer fibres when subjected to mechanical stress - such as asbestos.
Which fibres are carcinogenic?
These fibres are considered to be proven carcinogenic/hazardous to health:
- Asbestos fibres such as the mineral chrysotile from the serpentine group and the amphiboles amosite, crocidolite, actinolite, tremolite and anthophyllite.
- Artificial mineral fibres (KMF) such as rock wool, glass wool, slag wool
- Ceramic fibres, high temperature wool (HTW)
Carbon fibres and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP) are also currently being discussed as having harmful properties. These are increasingly being used in aircraft and vehicle construction and can, for example, release respirable fibres in a fire.
In addition to the six asbestos minerals, naturally occurring fibres from the minerals erionite, glaucophane and others are also classified as carcinogenic in some countries.
