Glass fibres/strands on wicks of clearomisers???

[RunAway]

Afternoon all; i heard the wicks are made of silica, is that glass strands on the wick clearomizers like ce4/s, ce5's, iclear 16, iclear 30's etc?? If so surely you do not touch these as you get splinters from glass strands no? Or is that only the small flavour wick on top of main wicks???? Thanks..

 

[Phantom Diablo]

silica is indeed a composite of glass and comes from 5 natually found elements including quartz, cristobalite, tridymite etc.
the issue is knowing if silica wick is amorphous or crystalline ( amoprhous wick is made from glass substrate, crystalline from naturally occurring fibre however it is crtyslline which is in fact the cause of silicosis though the effects require substantial amounts of silica to be inhaled through air and the like over 20-30 years or more and dont think that would be an issue with vaping as the silica is "dampened down" by the juice so any particle inhalation would be negligable.)

having just done some checking it does appear the wicks are amorphous ( glass fibre based so harmless in terms of silicosis
as silica ( amoprhous ) is a man made fibre extensive research going back many decades confirms that amorphous silica breaks down and dissolves in the body and has no negative effects unlike crystalline silica which can among other things result if exposed to significant amounts ( millions of times more than any wicks you will ever use) can result in silicosis and asbestosis in certain forms of crystalline silica.
to summarize

1. It is amorphous not crystalline.
2. amorphous fibres are too large to inhale past the throat.
3. If you got some in your mouth you would just spit it out or swallow it.
4. Silica fiber undergos dissolution and transverse breakage due to amorphous structure.

a fiber is a particle that has a length ≥5 µm and a length:diameter ratio (aspect ratio) of ≥3:1 or ≥5:1
silica in ecigs has a particle density of between 20 and 35 µm so therefore not actually classified as being able to create particles

 

[VaperCaper]

Yes it's glass fibre.

It needs to be a fibre that wicks well, and also can withstand high temperatures without melting. Silica is good at both of those.

All glass fibre is not created equal though. you won't get splinters off of it, like Phantom Diablo says above it won't cause any health issues either, it's perfecty safe to vape with and make wicks out of.

 

[RunAway]

Yes it's glass fibre.

It needs to be a fibre that wicks well, and also can withstand high temperatures without melting. Silica is good at both of those.

All glass fibre is not created equal though. you won't get splinters off of it, like Phantom Diablo says above it won't cause any health issues either, it's perfecty safe to vape with and make wicks out of.

Was just asking as wondering if the silica is safe to handle by hand???

- - - Updated - - -

silica is indeed a composite of glass and comes from 5 natually found elements including quartz, cristobalite, tridymite etc.
the issue is knowing if silica wick is amorphous or crystalline ( amoprhous wick is made from glass substrate, crystalline from naturally occurring fibre however it is crtyslline which is in fact the cause of silicosis though the effects require substantial amounts of silica to be inhaled through air and the like over 20-30 years or more and dont think that would be an issue with vaping as the silica is "dampened down" by the juice so any particle inhalation would be negligable.)

having just done some checking it does appear the wicks are amorphous ( glass fibre based so harmless in terms of silicosis
as silica ( amoprhous ) is a man made fibre extensive research going back many decades confirms that amorphous silica breaks down and dissolves in the body and has no negative effects unlike crystalline silica which can among other things result if exposed to significant amounts ( millions of times more than any wicks you will ever use) can result in silicosis and asbestosis in certain forms of crystalline silica.
to summarize

1. It is amorphous not crystalline.
2. amorphous fibres are too large to inhale past the throat.
3. If you got some in your mouth you would just spit it out or swallow it.
4. Silica fiber undergos dissolution and transverse breakage due to amorphous structure.

a fiber is a particle that has a length ≥5 µm and a length:diameter ratio (aspect ratio) of ≥3:1 or ≥5:1
silica in ecigs has a particle density of between 20 and 35 µm so therefore not actually classified as being able to create particles

Thanks buddy, good answer man, you know your science!!!! hehe

 

[VaperCaper]

Was just asking as wondering if the silica is safe to handle by hand???

No such thing as a stupid question

 

[PunkRockr]

There have been reports of some (very few) people getting itchy spots or bumps, but these are also people who have a very high reaction to fiberglass insulation as well (the pink fluff).

In standard usage very few if any notice any irritation, just look how many people wrap their own wicks, handling the material almost daily and look how many report problems.

about the only thing to worry about is dust in a new clearo or after a rebuild. but a rinse or torching can remove that problem as well.