Thursday, October 6, 2011

Stay Protected From Fumes, Dust And Debris With The Right Applications

3M is a science-based company.  With a variety of innovative products designed to protect professionals in all industries, 3M has become a respected name in technology.  One of the many products offered by 3M is the respirator.  3M respirators come in a variety of different styles for a number of different purposes.  If you work in an environment where you need to protect your nose and mouth from dangerous inhalation, you know how important investing in quality respirators can be.  Browse the various types of respirators offered by 3M and choose a product designed to protect.


Disposal Respirators by 3M


3M offers an entire lineup of disposable respirators that have been protecting the faces of the nation since 1972.  Disposable respirators offer a full range of comfort and are the most affordable type of respirator the company offers.  These respiratory protective devices will protect the wearer from dust and other particulates, fumes, odors, small levels of acid gas, and more.  The newer types of disposable respirators also use advanced CoolFlow valves that make breathing cooler and more comfortable.  Testing and imaging has proven that even disposable applications are effective if they are used properly.


Reusable Respirators by 3M




3M also offers a wide range of reusable respirators that will meet the needs of all types of environments.  If you will be using your respirator more often, you may want to invest in a reusable model for the entire office.  Reusable 3M respirators come in three different styles: full face, half face, and cartridges.  If you are not sure what type of respiratory protective device is right for your work environment, 3M also offers a free respirator selection guide and service life software program to help you make the right selection.


Supplied Air Respirators


Supplied air respirators are for very dangerous environments where the wearer needs to be pumped a stream of clean air for breathing.  Several different government agencies and safety professionals use these devices for protection.  3M offers quality and comfortable powered air and supplied air applications that use a powered motor or pressure pump to provide the wearer with the clean air their need to get the job done while still staying safe.


If you do not wear some sort of respiratory protective device and you breath in fumes or dust you are affecting your lungs.  Over time, breathing poor quality air can cause health problems that will affect your quality of life.  Investing in 3M respirators will protect you and keep your comfortable and happy.  Browse through the selection of devices available, refer to the selection guide, and contact 3M representatives with any questions.  Stocking your office or warehouse with the right safety equipment and have it when you need it.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Magnets can be useful in various applications that pertain to our everyday life. They can work as holders for your notes, lists and reminders as well as clips for your bags and sacks. Apart from these, magnets can also be used as Ferro fluids. Ferro fluids are liquids which become magnetized when exposed to a magnetic field. This liquid is actually a colloid which consists of carrier liquid and ferromagnetic particles. The ferromagnetic particles are very small and hence do not settle down. They disperse as soon as the magnetic field is removed. To avoid the formation of lumps which can render the Ferro fluid less effective, the particles are treated with surfactants.


When Ferro fluids are subjected to magnetic fields, they exhibit peculiar physical formations. As opposed to the plain flat surface of liquids, Ferro fluid will organize itself into tiny peaks projecting outwards. This way, the liquid would appear like a solid substance whose surface is composed of peaks and valleys. The dark magnetic fluid, under the influence of a magnet, would become a dome or ball having spikes all over its surface. This peculiar shape is formed in order to attain the minimum energy state. Also referred to as normal field instability, this phenomenon causes the magnetic field to be strong at the peaks and weak at the troughs. Ferro fluids are capable of holding that shape while still remaining fluids. This is not the case with iron ores.





This interesting property of Ferro fluids make them useful for a host of scientific and technological applications. Those who manufacture hard discs, often use Ferro fluids while spinning drive shafts. When a magnet is placed near the shaft, it attracts the Ferro fluid which in turn seals the drive opening, thus preventing foreign particles from making an entry. When used with powerful magnets, Ferro fluids can also work as excellent lubricants in mechanical applications. In medical science the MRI scanning which is used while diagnosing cancer and other diseases, uses Ferro fluids. It is for the same reason that the process is called Magnetic Resonance Imaging. NASA too has tested the use of Ferro fluids in altitude control mechanisms.


One of the widespread uses of Ferro fluid is in loudspeakers where they are kept around the voice coil with the help of the magnet used in the speaker. This allows them to absorb heat and hence work as a coolant without consuming energy from outside. Researches are also being carried out in order to find the applicability of Ferro fluids in the field of heat transfers and optic applications. Just like the loudspeaker, many other devices find it particularly useful to couple magnets with Ferro fluids in order to deliver better performance.