Welding Zinc Plated Steel

[Diesel Freak]

I am making a snow plow for my quad out of an old galvanized water tank.



What is the best respirator to use? I do not want to be sucking in all that Zinc Oxide (bad juju)



I bought one made by 3M at the local welding shop he told me that the cartriges would work for Zinc Oxide vapor and dust.



Any suggestions?

 

[illflem]

I use a North respirator for galvanized, painted and cadmium plated steel. I'm still alive. 3-M should work well also. Best to grind it off if possible for a better weld, wear a respirator also. Galvanized makes a hissing sound like you are burning though when welding, seems like you need to speed up when in fact you don't. I like to run a fan on low behind me when welding anything. Older welders I've talked to call the effects from inhaling zinc fumes "getting galvoed" and say the effects are short lived (1-2 hours) and not dangerous. I believe otherwise.

 

[Extreme1]

Zinc fumes are bad! I think there is a long term exposure hazard (like with most metal poisoning).



Fume and dust is the right coverage. Be sure it fits and seals to your face. Beards and mustaches can nullify the benifits of a good respirator.



Try to keep it out of your eyes too.

 

[Diesel Freak]

I would do it outside if I could, but since it is raining here, I get that "tingly feeling"



I just looked ZnO in my Chemical Safety book



Threshold Limit Value/Permissible Exposure Limit is 5mg/m^3 for fume and 10mg/m^3 for dust



IDLH (Immediately Dangerous) 500mg/m^e





ZnO Fumes can cause fever, chills, muscular pain, nausea, and vomiting. Dust can cause eye nose and throat irritation.



so basicly if I can see the fume/dust in the air, it is bad to breathe