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Chemical Datasheet

MAGNESIUM NITRATE

5.1 - Oxidizer

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 10377-60-3
  • 1474
  • Oxidizer
  • MGN
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • MAGNESIUM NITRATE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A white crystalline solid. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen if heated to decomposition. Used in pyrotechnics.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Deliquescent. Water soluble.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides are produced when heated to decomposition.

Behavior in Fire: Contact with oxidizable substances may cause extremely violent combustion. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Exposure can cause mild irritation to the mucous membranes. Symptoms may include coughing and shortness of breath. Ingestion of large doses may cause dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weakness, convulsions, and collapse. Contact with skin may cause irritation, redness, and pain. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Mixtures of MAGNESIUM NITRATE with alkyl esters may explode owing to the formation of alkyl nitrates; mixtures with phosphorus, tin(II) chloride, or other reducing agents may react explosively [Bretherick 1979 p. 108-109]. Noncombustible but will accelerate the burning of combustible materials. If large quantities are involved in a fire or the combustible material is finely divided an explosion may result. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may result in an explosion. Magnesium nitrate has been reported to undergo spontaneous decomposition in dimethylformamide [Bretherick 5th ed., 1995]. It tends to behave as a strong oxidizer.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 140 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers]:

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.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

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. If ammonium nitrate is in a tank, rail car or tank truck and involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 140 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers]:

SMALL FIRE: Use water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2 or Halon® may provide limited control.

LARGE FIRE: Flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 140 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers]:

Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL LIQUID SPILL: Use a non-combustible material like vermiculite or sand to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Wear protective gloves and clean body-covering clothing. If dust is encountered, use approved respirator. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Get medical attention.

INHALATION: Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.

EYES: Flush with water for at least 15 min., lifting lids occasionally. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical.

SKIN: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash with soap and water.

INGESTION: Induce vomiting immediately by giving two glasses of water or milk and sticking finger down throat. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • MgN2O6
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 192°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.46 (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: Decomposes at 626°F (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 256.41 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
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)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Magnesium nitrate; (Magnesium(II) nitrate (1:2)) (10377-60-3) 30 mg/m3 330 mg/m3 2000 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names