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Just blew $80 on a 'high-temp' respirator filter that melted in under an hour on a brass pour.
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henry10111h agoTop Commenter
Back in my shop days, we learned the hard way that filter temperature ratings are for the air going through them, not radiant heat from a pour. @jadeg81 is right about the zinc being the real worry, but that filter was doomed from the start. Direct radiant heat from molten metal will wreck most disposable filters, no matter what the box says. You really need a full face shield and a supplied air system for regular pours, anything less is a gamble.
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Ouch, that's rough... but I'm pretty sure the filter wasn't the main problem. For molten metal, you need a proper respirator made for fumes, not just heat. Those little filters are for sanding dust or maybe welding smoke. The real danger with brass is the zinc fumes, which get you way before the heat does. You'd need something like a P100 filter on a tight-sealing mask, and even then, you gotta pour in a crazy well-ventilated spot.
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