FAQ

ATEX comes from ‘Atmosphère Explosive’ which indicates an area where there is a potential risk of explosion due to a concentration of gases. If the gases are ignited an explosion occurs. Safety tools are recommended to work in ATEX zones in order to avoid the risk of explosions.

Depending on the regulations of each country, if not mandatory the safety tools help fulfill the recommendations stated in the organizational regulations. For Europe the regulation is 1999/92/EC.

Many materials are qualified as non-sparking. If the energy needed to detach a piece of material from the main part is colder enough to avoid ignition of gases. The materials chosen to manufacture hand tools provide these non-sparking properties and they are strong enough to build efficient tools. AMPCO SAFETY TOOLS® is using mainly Aluminum Bronze and Copper Beryllium but also Aluminum and brass alloys.

Many materials are qualified as non-sparking. If the energy needed to detach a piece of material from the main part is colder enough to avoid ignition of gases. The materials chosen to manufacture hand tools provide these non-sparking properties and they are strong enough to build efficient tools. AMPCO SAFETY TOOLS® is using mainly Aluminum Bronze and Copper Beryllium but also Aluminum and brass alloys.

Copper alloys such as Aluminum Bronze and Copper Beryllium must not be used in the presence of Acetylene. The contact of Acetylene with an alloy containing more than 50% copper can create an acetylide which is a chemical reaction capable of creating an explosion. Beside this specific recommendation both Aluminum Bronze and Copper Beryllium can be used in all zones. AMPCO SAFETY TOOLS® selects the most appropriate materials for its use with regards to the mechanical properties involved in the job.

AMPCO SAFETY TOOLS® materials – Beryllium Copper ‘Ampcoloy 83® and Aluminum Bronze D4® have been tested with the most explosive gases by the federal institute of materials and research in Berlin, Germany. To ensure the maximum safety, the most flammable gas has been used for the tests. Stoichiometric acetylene/air mixture is known to have the highest probability of the emergence of ignitable mechanically generated impact sparks. This gas is classified in the group IIC according to the IEC 60079-20-1:2010 and was used to carry out the tests.

There is no specific recommendation for the Aluminum Bronze, nevertheless we encourage you to check our update SDS. Copper Beryllium should not be grinded, melt or welded as the fumes or dust of Beryllium is known to have an impact on the human health. Ensure that your personals or the workers have read the updated SDS;

Non-Magnetic tools are made of materials that have a very low magnetic permeability. The scale of magnetic permeability is measured in µ. The 0 µ is impossible to reach but Copper Beryllium is very closed to that level and shall be chosen for jobs which are requiring very low magnetism permeability. Titanium tools are also non-magnetic and can be used for these properties. Titanium tools are also light and very strong but they are not non-sparking and shall be avoided when non-sparking properties are required.