ZIRCONIUM, DRY, COILED WIRE, FINISHED METAL SHEETS OR STRIPS

A grayish-white hard lustrous metal. Specific gravity 6.4. Melting point about 3362°F (1850°C). Insoluble in water. Low toxicity.

none

Flammable and explosive as dust or powder and in the form of borings or shavings, but not in bulk form. May ignite on contact with air or moist air. Insoluble in water.

Excerpt from 170 [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)

Excerpt from 170 [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)

ZIRCONIUM, DRY, COILED WIRE, FINISHED METAL SHEETS OR STRIPS is a bulk form of an active metal (a reducing agent). It ignites if exposed to high temperatures and burns with an intense flame. The bulk metal (as in wire, sheets, and strips) is less reactive than powdered metal. Soluble in hot very concentrated acids; insoluble in water and cold acids. Corrosion resistant [Hawley]. Can react explosively with potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate, copper(II) oxide, or lead oxide, Can react explosively if heated with lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide). May react similarly with hydrated sodium borate and alkali-metal oxosalts (chromates, dichromates, molybdates, sulfates, tungstates) [Mellor, 1941, Vol. 7, 116; Military and Civilian Pyrotechnics, Ellern, 1968, 249]. May react with saltwater to generate hydrogen particularly if in contact with another metal. NFPA 482M, 1974, covers all aspects of storage and handling of zirconium, listing 43 abstracts of unusual zirconium fires and explosions.

• Metals, Elemental and Powder, Active

No information available.

Excerpt from 170 [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)

Excerpt from 170 [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)

Excerpt from 170 [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)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Zirconium compounds (as Zr):

Skin: RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING VARY DEPENDING UPON THE SPECIFIC COMPOUND. - Recommendations regarding personal protective clothing vary depending upon the specific compound.

Eyes: RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING EYE PROTECTION VARY DEPENDING UPON THE SPECIFIC COMPOUND. - Recommendations regarding eye protection vary depending upon the specific compound.

Wash skin: RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING WASHING THE SKIN VARY DEPENDING UPON THE SPECIFIC COMPOUND. - Recommendations regarding washing the skin vary depending upon the specific compound.

Remove: RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING THAT BECOMES WET OR CONTAMINATED VARY DEPENDING UPON THE SPECIFIC COMPOUND. - Recommendations regarding the removal of personal protective clothing that becomes wet or contaminated vary depending upon the specific compound.

Change: RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE DAILY CHANGING OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING VARY DEPENDING UPON THE SPECIFIC COMPOUND. - Recommendations regarding the daily changing of personal protective clothing vary depending upon the specific compound.

Provide: RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE NEED FOR EYEWASH OR QUICK DRENCH FACILITIES VARY DEPENDING UPON THE SPECIFIC COMPOUND. - Recommendations regarding the need for eyewash or quick drench facilities vary depending upon the specific compound. (NIOSH, 2023)

No information available.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Zirconium compounds (as Zr):

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.

Skin: SOAP WASH - If this chemical contacts the skin, wash the contaminated skin with soap and water.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)

• ZIRCONIUM ELEMENT
• ZIRCONIUM, DRY, COILED WIRE, FINISHED METAL SHEETS OR STRIPS