ALUMINUM, MOLTEN

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 0 1	Health	0	No hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	1	Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

Aluminum metal held above melting point of 1220°F (660°C) for ease in handling. Cools and solidifies if released. Contact causes thermal burns. Plastic or rubber may melt or lose strength upon contact. Protective equipment designed for chemical exposure only is not effective against direct contact. Take care walking on the surface of a spill to avoid stepping into a pocket of molten aluminum below the crust. Do not attempt to remove aluminum impregnated clothing because of the danger of tearing flesh if there has been a burn.

• Strong Reducing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Air-Reactive

Violent reaction with water; contact may cause an explosion or may produce a flammable gas (hydrogen). Moist air produces hydrogen gas. Does not burn on exposure to air.

Excerpt from 169 [Aluminum (Molten)]:

Substance is transported in molten form at a temperature above 705°C (1300°F). Violent reaction with water; contact may cause an explosion or may produce a flammable gas. Will ignite combustible materials (wood, paper, oil, debris, etc.). Contact with nitrates or other oxidizers may cause an explosion. Contact with containers or other materials, including cold, wet or dirty tools, may cause an explosion. Contact with concrete will cause spalling and small pops. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 169 [Aluminum (Molten)]:

Contact causes severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. (ERG, 2020)

ALUMINUM, MOLTEN, is a reducing agent. Coating moderates or greatly moderates its chemical reactivity compared to the uncoated material. Reacts exothermically if mixed with metal oxides and heated (thermite process). Heating a mixture with copper oxides caused a strong explosion [Mellor 5:217-19 1946-47]. Reacts with metal salts, mercury and mercury compounds, nitrates, sulfates, halogens, and halogenated hydrocarbons to form compounds that are sensitive to mechanical shock [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 135]. A number of explosions in which ammonium nitrate and powdered aluminum were mixed with carbon or hydrocarbons, with or without oxidizing agents, have occurred [Mellor 5:219 1946-47]. A mixture with powdered ammonium persulfate and water may explode [NFPA 491M 1991]. Heating a mixture with bismuth trioxide leads to an explosively violent reaction [Mellor 9:649 (1946-47)]. Mixtures with finely divided bromates (also chlorates and iodates) of barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium or zinc can explode by heat, percussion, and friction, [Mellor 2:310 (1946-47]. Burns in the vapor of carbon disulfide, sulfur dioxide, sulfur dichloride, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, or nitrogen peroxide, [Mellor 5:209-212,1946-47]. A mixture with carbon tetrachloride exploded when heated to 153°C and also by impact, [Chem. Eng. News 32:258 (1954)]; [UL Bull. Research 34 (1945], [ASESB Pot. Incid. 39 (1968)]. Mixing with chlorine trifluoride in the presence of carbon results in a violent reaction [Mellor 2 Supp. 1: 1956]. Ignites in close contact with iodine. Three industrial explosions involving a photoflash composition containing potassium perchlorate with aluminum and magnesium powder have occurred [ACS 146:210 1945], [NFPA 491M 1991]. Is attacked by methyl chloride in the presence of small amounts of aluminum chloride to give flammable aluminum trimethyl. Give a detonable mixture with liquid oxygen [NFPA 491M 1991]. The reaction with silver chloride, once started, proceeds with explosive violence [Mellor 3:402 1946-47]. In an industrial accident, the accidental addition of water to a solid mixture of sodium hydrosulfite and powdered aluminum caused the generation of SO2, heat and more water. The aluminum powder reacted with water and other reactants to generate more heat, leading to an explosion that killed five workers [Case Study, Accident Investigation: Napp Technologies, 14th International Hazardous Material Spills Conference].

• Metals, Elemental and Powder, Active

No information available.

Excerpt from 169 [Aluminum (Molten)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 169 [Aluminum (Molten)]:

Do not use water, except in life-threatening situations and then only in a fine spray. Do not use halogenated extinguishing agents or foam. Move combustibles out of path of advancing pool if you can do so without risk. Extinguish fires started by molten material by using appropriate method for the burning material; keep water, halogenated extinguishing agents and foam away from the molten material. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 169 [Aluminum (Molten)]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not attempt to stop leak, due to danger of explosion. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Substance is very fluid, spreads quickly, and may splash. Do not try to stop it with shovels or other objects. Dike far ahead of spill; use dry sand to contain the flow of material. Where possible allow molten material to solidify naturally. Avoid contact even after material solidifies. Molten, heated and cold aluminum look alike; do not touch unless you know it is cold. Clean up under the supervision of an expert after material has solidified. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Aluminum:

Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)

No information available.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Aluminum:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Breathing: FRESH AIR - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. Other measures are usually unnecessary. (NIOSH, 2023)

• ALUMINUM, MOLTEN