Material safety data sheet

Hazardous ingredients				Threshold limit values
MATERIAL	FORMULA	CAS#	% WEIGHT	VLE(mg/m³) (France)	VME(mg/m³) (France)	MAK(mg/m³) (Germany)	ACGIH-TLV(mg/m³) (USA)
Cadmium oxide	CdO	1306-19-0	6-15%	0.05	0.05	Note : A2	0.01
Graphite	C	7440-44-0	2-5%	///	2	6	2.5
Copper	Cu	7440-50-8	0.2-20%	1 (dust) 0.2 (fumes)	1 (dust) 0.2 (fumes)	1 (dust) 0.1 (fumes)	1 (dust) 0.2 (fumes)
Iron	Fe	7439-89-6	5-10%	///	5	///	5
Iron-oxide	Fe2O3	1309-37-1	5-15%	///	5	6.0	5
Nickel	Ni	7440-02-0	5-50%	///	1	0.5	0.05
Silver	Ag	7440-22-4	25-100%		0.1	0.01	0.1
Tin-oxide	SnO2	18282-10-5	2-14%	0.1	0.2	2	0.2
Tungsten	W	1207-01-21	5-75%		///	///	5.0
Tungsten-carbide	WC	7440-33-7	5-75%			///	5.0
Zinc-oxide	ZnO	1314-13-2	8-10%	10 (dust) 5 (fumes)		5 (fumes)	///

Hazards identifications

Routes of exposure : Inhalation, contact, ingestion

The alloys as sold in solid form are generally not considered hazardous. However, if your process involves grinding, melting, welding, cutting, or any other process that causes a release of dust or fume, hazardous levels of dust or fume of the constituents of these alloys could be generated.

Primary route is inhalation of dusts/fumes. Some materials are skin sensitizers.

MATERIAL	EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE
Cadmium oxide	May cause cancer by inhalation. Also harmful swallowed. Also toxic : danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.
Carbon	Mild inhalation hazard. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause irritation. Eye contact can be irritating and may cause conjunctivitis. Long term inhalation above allowable limits may result in damage to skin and nails.
Copper	Inhalation of fumes can cause Metal Fume Fever with symptoms of chills, fever, nausea, cough, dry throat, weakness, muscle aches and a sweet metallic taste in the mouth.Contact may cause mechanical irritation of skin and eyes. Ingestion may cause irritation to the stomach lining or intestines. Keratinization of hands and soles of feet have been reported.
Iron	Poison by intraperitoneal route. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Human systemic effects : irritability, nausea, or vomiting, normocytic anemia. Iron is potentially toxic in all forms and by all routes of exposure.
Iron-oxide	Repeated exposure to iron oxide fume over a period of years may cause changes of the lungs as seen on x-ray (pneumoconiosis) but does not cause exposed person to become ill.
Nickel	Fumes are respiratory irritants and may cause respiratory disease and allergic asthmatic reactions. Skin contact can also cause an allergic skin rash (nickel itch). Nickel and its compounds have been reported to cause cancer of the lungs and sinuses.
Silver	Excessive exposure can lead to a condition called Aggria, a discoloration of eyes, mucous membrane and skin.
Tin-oxide	This inhalation of the dust or fume causes a benign pneumoconiosis-stannosis. It is characterised by small dense shadows on the lungs revealed by radiography, but seems not to have effect on lung function. It may cause severe eye irritation and may cause skin irritation. No information is available concerning the carcinogenicity, the mutagenicity and the reproductive hazards of tin oxide.
Tungsten-carbide	This material is highly insoluble in body fluids. Animal studies found it to be relatively inert. Chronic inhalation causes lung damage in humans.
Tungsten	An inhalation hazard. Mildly toxic by a an unspecified route. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. A skin and eye irritant.
Zinc-oxide	Inhalation of dust causes respiratory track irritation.

First aid measures

Inhalation : Remove to fresh air. Support respiration as needed.
Skin contact : Wash affected area with water. Contact a doctor if needed.
Eye contact : Flush eyes thoroughly with running water for at least 15 minutes. Contact a doctor as needed.
Ingestion : Make victim drink plenty of water, induce vomiting, immediately summon doctor.

Fire fighting measures

Flash point : not available
Flammable Limits : not available

These materials are non-combustible but the dust produced upon grinding, cutting, etc... may be flammable. Some metals may produce fire and explosion hazards. Do not create dust clouds.

Extinguishing Media : Do not use water for metal dust fire. Use dry chemical or dry sand.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures : Self-contained breathing apparatus should be worn when fighting metal dust fires.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards : Fires or explosions may be initiated by exposing any concentrated dust suspension in an enclosed area to a spark or flame.

Accidental release measures

Steps to be taken in case material is released or spilled : Use normal clean up procedures, using wet sweeping or vacuum, taking care to avoid excessive dusting.
Waste Disposal Method : Dispose of in accordance with all applicable local regulations.

Handling and storage

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage : Maintain good housekeeping techniques, such as, wet sweeping or vacuuming to remove dust accumulation. Avoid dust inhalation and contact of materials with skin or eyes.

Personal protection

Respiratory protection : Use an appropriate approved respirator if airborne dust/fume concentrations exceed the appropriate VLE or VME.
Ventilation : Provide sufficient general and local exhaust ventilation to maintain air concentrations of dust/fume below the VLE or VME. If such ventilation is unavailable use respirators.
Protective Gloves : Yes to protect skin.
Eye protection : Approved safety glasses/goggles are recommended. Eye wash fountains should be readily available to areas of use and handling.
Other Protective Equipment/Recommendations : In areas of excessive exposures provide replacement and annual physical exams with emphasis on respiratory systems.

Physical and chemical properties

MATERIAL	Form	Colour	Density g/cm³	Odour	Explosion limit	Solubility in water (g/l)	Solubility in inorganic acid	Thermal decomposition
Cadmium oxide	Solid	Reddish brown	6.95	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>700°C
Carbon	Solid	Grey	2.26	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>3700°C (sublimation)
Copper	Solid	Reddish	8.9	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>1084°C
Iron	Solid	White	7.9	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>1535°C
Iron-oxide	Solid	Dark red	5.2	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>1565°C
Nickel	Solid	Grey	8.9	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>1455°C
Silver	Solid	White	10.5	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>960°C
Tin-oxide	Solid	White	6.9	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>1127°C
Tungsten	Solid	Grey to white	19.3	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>3410°C
Tungsten-carbide	Solid	Grey	15.7	Odourless	Not available	<0.0001	Soluble	>2755°C
Zinc-oxide	Solid	White	5.6	Odourless	Not available	Insoluble	Soluble	>1970°C

Stability and reactivity

Stability : Stable
Incompatibility : acids, strong oxidizers, strong bases, moisture
Hazardous Decomposition Products :Metal fume, CO

Disposal consideration

There are no uniform E.C disposal regulations. The latter are issued in E.C members countries through corresponding laws and regulations. We recommend that you contact either the authorities in charge or approve waste disposal companies which will advise you how to dispose of special waste.

Other information

Date of issue : 16.05.1999 - The information contained herein is based on the present state of knowledge. It characterizes the product with regard to appropriate safety precautions. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product.