Alkali metals alloys are either liquids or solids within a solution. This material will react vigorously in water or upon exposure to air to generate extremely flammable fumes. Contact with the material may cause burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and it may be toxic by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. If available, obtain the technical name of the material from the shipping paper and contact CHEMTREC, 800-424-9300 for specific response information.

• Strong Reducing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Pyrophoric

With water violent decomposition into sodium hydroxide and hydrogen, which ignites spontaneously [Merck, 11th ed. 1989]. The ignition temperature of sodium in air depends on size of surface exposed: vapor ignites at room temperature; droplets at about 250°F an agitated pool at 400°F. In the absence of moisture and hydrogen, the reaction is insignificant [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:440 1961].

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)

Boron trifluoride reacts with incandescence when heated with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals except magnesium [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Maleic anhydride decomposes explosively in the presence of alkali metals [Chem Safety Data Sheet SD-88 1962; Chem. Haz. Info. Series C-71 1960]. Bromoazide explodes on contact with antimony, arsenic, phosphorus, silver foil, or sodium. A mixture of sodium and any of the following halide compounds produces a strong explosion on impact: aluminum bromide, aluminum chloride, aluminum fluoride, ammonium chloride, antimony tribromide, antimony trichloride, antimony triiodide, arsenic trichloride, arsenic triiodide, bismuth tribromide, bismuth trichloride, bismuth triiodide, boron tribromide, cupric chloride, ferrous chloride, iodine monobromide, manganese chloride, mercuric bromide, mercuric chloride, mercuric fluoride, mercuric iodide, mercurous chloride, silicon tetrachloride, silver fluoride, stannic chloride, stannic iodide (with sulfur), stannous chloride, sulfur dibromide, thallous bromide, vanadium pentachloride, and zinc bromide [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:497 1961]. Sodium and ammonium nitrate react through a series of reductions to form a yellow explosive substance, thought to be disodium nitrite [Mellor 8: Supp. 1 546 1964]. Sodium reduces the heated bismuth trioxide to the metal and the reaction is accompanied by incandescence [Mellor 9:649 1946-47]. Finely divided sodium reacts with bromine with luminescence. Cold sodium is spontaneously flammable in moist chlorine. A luminous reaction occurs at room temperature, between iodine and lithium, potassium, and sodium [Mellor 2 Supp. 1:848 1956]. An explosive reaction occurs when dry ice and solid sodium are brought together by impact [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:468 1961]. Sodium forms explosive mixtures with chlorinated hydrocarbons [Chem. Eng. News 26:2604 1948]. A mixture of sodium and chromium tetrachloride creates a violent explosion on impact [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:497 1961]. Sodium explodes on contact with hydrochloric acid [Mellor 2:469 1946-47]. An aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid reacts with sodium with explosive violence [Mellor 2:469 1946-47]. Sodium ignites spontaneously in contact with nitric acid of specific gravity exceeding 1.056 [Mellor 2:470 1946-47]. A dilute aqueous solution of sulfuric acid reacts with sodium with explosive violence, [Mellor 2:470 1946-47]. A very violent explosion results when a mixture of sodium and any of the following is struck with a hammer: cobaltous bromide, carbon tetrachloride, cobaltous chloride, ferric bromide, ferrous iodide, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus tribromide, sulfur dichloride [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:497 1961].

• Metals, Alkali, Very Active

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING METALS OR POWDERS (ALUMINUM, LITHIUM, MAGNESIUM, ETC.): Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see ERG Guide 170.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, wipe from skin immediately; flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2020)

• ALKALI METAL ALLOY, LIQUID, N.O.S.
• SODIUM, [METAL LIQUID ALLOY]