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Chemical Datasheet

FERROUS METAL BORINGS, SHAVINGS, TURNINGS OR CUTTINGS

4.2 - Spontaneously combustible

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
none
  • 2793
  • Spontaneously Combustible
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Grayish colored finely divided solids. Contact may burn skin, eyes or mucous membranes.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
This material may ignite upon exposure to air. It may react with water to produce flammable hydrogen gas.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 170 Polymerizable warning [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

May react violently or explosively on contact with water. Some are transported in flammable liquids. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some of these materials will burn with intense heat. Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air. Containers may explode when heated. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 170 Polymerizable warning [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard. Inhalation or contact with substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
FERROUS METAL BORINGS, SHAVINGS, TURNINGS OR CUTTINGS are combustible, especially as finely divided powders. Powdered iron has exploded in the presence of air, moisture, and small amounts of organic impurities. Ferrous metal borings, shavings, cuttings or turnings are reducing agents and tend to react with oxidizing agents. Their reactivity is strongly influenced by their state of subdivision: in bulk they often resist chemical combination; in powdered form they may react very rapidly. Ferrous iron reacts exothermically with compounds have active hydrogen atoms (such as acids and water) to form flammable hydrogen gas and caustic products. The reactions are less vigorous that the similar reactions of alkali metals, but the released heat can still ignite the released hydrogen. Materials in this group may react with azo/diazo compounds to form explosive products. These metals and the products of their corrosion by air and water can catalyze polymerization reactions in several classes of organic compounds; these polymerizations sometimes proceed rapidly or even explosively.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 170 Polymerizable warning [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

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 50 meters (160 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. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 170 Polymerizable warning [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

DO NOT USE WATER, FOAM OR CO2. Dousing metallic fires with water will generate hydrogen gas, an extremely dangerous explosion hazard, particularly if fire is in a confined environment (i.e., building, cargo hold, etc.). Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers, or class D extinguishers. Confining and smothering metal fires is preferable rather than applying water. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: If impossible to extinguish, protect surroundings and allow fire to burn itself out. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 170 Polymerizable warning [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

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. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from 170 Polymerizable warning [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

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, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • Fe
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
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)

No PAC information available.

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