Chemical Datasheet
ALUMINUM, MOLTEN |
Chemical Identifiers
The
Chemical Identifier fields
include common identification numbers, the
NFPA diamond
U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general
description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes
from a variety of
data sources.
CAS Number | UN/NA Number | DOT Hazard Label | USCG CHRIS Code |
---|---|---|---|
|
|
none | |
NIOSH Pocket Guide | International Chem Safety Card | ||
Aluminum |
NFPA 704
Diamond | Hazard | Value | Description | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 |
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
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.
Hazards
The
Hazard fields
include
special hazard alerts
air and water
reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and
details about
reactive groups assignments
and
potentially incompatible absorbents.
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
- Strong Reducing Agent
- Water-Reactive
- Air-Reactive
Air & Water Reactions
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.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 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, 2024)
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, 2024)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 169 [Aluminum (Molten)]:
Contact causes severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. (ERG, 2024)
Contact causes severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. (ERG, 2024)
Reactivity Profile
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].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
The
Response Recommendation fields
include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for
firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The
information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 169 [Aluminum (Molten)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 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, 2024)
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, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 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, 2024)
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, 2024)
Protective Clothing
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, 2024)
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, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
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, 2024)
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, 2024)
Physical Properties
The
Physical Property fields
include properties such as vapor pressure and
boiling point, as well as explosive limits and
toxic exposure thresholds
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula: |
|
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
1220°F
(NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Pressure:
0 mmHg
(approx)
(NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
2.7
(NIOSH, 2024)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point:
4221°F
at 760 mmHg
(NIOSH, 2024)
Molecular Weight:
27
(NIOSH, 2024)
Water Solubility:
Insoluble
(NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
No PAC information available.Regulatory Information
The
Regulatory Information fields
include information from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of
Lists,
the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Standards,
and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's
Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List
(see more about these
data sources).
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name | CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ | EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aluminum (fume or dust) | 7429-90-5 | 313 |
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
RELEASE | THEFT | SABOTAGE | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical of Interest | CAS Number | Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Aluminum (powder) | 7429-90-5 | ACG | 100 pounds | EXP/IEDP |
- ACG = a commercial grade.
- EXP/IEDP = explosives/improvised explosive device precursors.
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.Alternate Chemical Names
This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical,
including trade names and synonyms.
- ALUMINUM, MOLTEN