This practice covered recommended procedures to reduce health and safety problems, which may arise during handling of respirable silicon carbide whiskers. Respirable silicon carbide whiskers are a crystalline silicon carbide (SiC) fiber, approximately cylindrical in shape with a diameter less than 3.0 m and an aspect ratio equal to or greater than 5:1.

Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E34 on Occupational Health and Safety, this practice was withdrawn in 2007 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

1.1 This practice describes recommended procedures for the safe handling of respirable silicon carbide whiskers and fibers. Respirable silicon carbide whiskers and fibers are considered to be those with diameters less than 3.0 [mu]m, or silicon carbide whiskers and fibers that contain a population with diameters less than 3.0 [mu]m.

1.2 Fragments of silicon carbide fibers that meet the size definition of silicon carbide whiskers are covered by this practice.

1.3 The information contained in this practice is intended for use in a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for silicon carbide whiskers.

1.4 Other materials may be present in the final product (for example, crystalline silica); information specific to these additional materials should be included in each manufacturer's MSDS.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard and precaution statements, see Sections 4, 6, 8, and 9.