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Chemical Datasheet
ALUMINUM POWDER, UNCOATED |
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Chemical Identifiers
| CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
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none
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| NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
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Aluminum
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NFPA 704
General Description
A light gray solid. Denser than water. Contact may burn skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Used to make other chemicals.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
- Strong Reducing Agent
- Water-Reactive
- Pyrophoric
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Produces flammable gases and heat on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 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)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 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)
Reactivity Profile
ALUMINUM POWDER, UNCOATED is a reducing agent. Reacts very exothermically when mixed with metal oxides and ignited or heated (thermite process). Reacts explosively when mixed with copper oxides and heated [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]. Mixtures with ammonium nitrate are used as an explosive. A mixture with powdered ammonium persulfate and water may explode [NFPA 491M 1991]. Heating 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, in 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]. React with methyl chloride in the presence of small amounts of aluminum chloride to give flammable trimethylaluminum. Gives 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 the water and other reactants leading to an explosion that killed five workers [Case Study, Accident Investigation: Napp Technologies, presented by John Ferris, Paul Kahn, Mike Marshall, Fourteenth International Hazardous Material Spills Conference]. Particles can become electrostatically charged if swirled, transported by pneumatic means or poured.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Metals, Elemental and Powder, Active
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 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)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 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 170
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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)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 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)
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, 2023)
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, 2023)
Physical Properties
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, 2023)
Vapor Pressure:
0 mmHg
(approx)
(NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
2.7
(NIOSH, 2023)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point:
4221°F
at 760 mmHg
(NIOSH, 2023)
Molecular Weight:
27
(NIOSH, 2023)
Water Solubility:
Insoluble
(NIOSH, 2023)
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
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 |
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313 |
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(EPA List of Lists, 2022)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
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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 |
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ACG |
100 pounds |
EXP/IEDP |
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(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
Health
Flammability
Instability
Special