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Chemical Datasheet

TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE, STABILIZED

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 116-14-3   (TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE)
  • 1081
  • Flammable Gas
  • TFE
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
2 3
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A colorless odorless gas. Easily ignited. Vapors are heavier than air. May asphyxiate by the displacement of air. May violently polymerize under prolonged exposure to fire or heat, violently rupturing the container. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Water insoluble.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable. Forms polymeric peroxides that are explosive [Bretherick 1979 p. 164].
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: When burned in air, gas forms toxic carbonyl fluoride and hydrogen fluoride.

Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Containers may explode. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes irritation of respiratory system. Contact with eyes causes slight irritation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE reacts with air (oxygen) to form polymeric peroxides that are explosive [Bretherick 1979 p. 164]. Probably susceptible to similar reactions with a number of oxidizing agents.May polymerize violently (inhibitor tends to prevent this reaction). May react violently with aluminum. Contamination of a tetrafluoroethylene gas supply system led to a reaction between the inhibitor, limonene, and the contaminant, iodine pentafluoride. This initiated an explosive polymerization event [MCA Case History No. 1520].
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 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: 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. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. 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 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Self-contained breathing apparatus for high gas concentrations (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: CAUTION: Exposure of skin to compressed gases may result in freezing of the skin. Treatment for frostbite may be necessary. Remove the victim from the source of contamination. IMMEDIATELY wash affected areas gently with COLD water (and soap, if necessary) while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Dry carefully with clean, soft towels. If symptoms such as inflammation or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician or go to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: This compound is a gas, therefore inhalation is the first route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2F4
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 10 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 50 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 370°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -224.5°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 22800 mmHg at 70°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.87 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.519 at -105°F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: -105.3°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 100.02 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: Insoluble (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Tetrafluoroethylene (116-14-3)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 27 ppm 69 ppm 420 ppm
30 minutes 27 ppm 69 ppm 420 ppm
60 minutes 22 ppm 55 ppm 330 ppm
4 hours 14 ppm 34 ppm 210 ppm
8 hours 9 ppm 23 ppm 100 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Tetrafluoroethylene (116-14-3) 200 ppm 1000 ppm 10000 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. LEL = 100000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Tetrafluoroethylene (116-14-3) 22 ppm 55 ppm 330 ppm LEL = 100000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

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
Ethene, tetrafluoro- 116-14-3 10000 pounds
Tetrafluoroethylene 116-14-3 313 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

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
Tetrafluoroethylene; [Ethene, tetrafluoro-] 116-14-3 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Tetrafluoroethylene 116-14-3 5000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names