ALUMINUM TRIETHYL

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
4 3 3 W	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	4	Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
	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.
	Special	W	Reacts violently or explosively with water.

A colorless liquid. Flammable gas is produced on contact with water. (USCG, 1999)

• Strong Reducing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Pyrophoric

Pyrophoric, ignites in moist air [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Reacts violently with water.

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Intense smoke may cause metal-fume fever.

Behavior in Fire: Dense smoke of aluminum oxide forms. Contact with water applied to adjacent fires causes violent reaction producing toxic and flammable gases. (USCG, 1999)

Exposure to smoke from fire causes metal-fume fever (flu-like symptoms). Since liquid ignites spontaneously, contact with eyes or skin causes severe burns. (USCG, 1999)

ALUMINUM TRIETHYL reacts violently with water, alcohols, phenols, amines, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, halogens, and halogenated hydrocarbons, causing fire and explosion hazards. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 929]. A mixture of dimethylformamide and triethyl aluminum exploded when heated [Bretherick 1995].

• Metal Hydrides, Metal Alkyls, Metal Aryls, and Silanes

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

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 tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)

Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water, foam, halogenated extinguishing agents.

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Inert powders (sand, limestone), dry chemical (USCG, 1999)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

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.

SMALL SPILL: CAUTION: For spills of Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite), UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, dissolve in 5 parts water and collect for proper disposal. CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors. Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2024)

Full protective clothing, preferably of aluminized glass cloth; goggles; face shield; gloves. In case of fire, all-purpose canister or self-contained breathing apparatus. (USCG, 1999)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Triethyl aluminum (93%)	97-93-8	Liquid									>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

INHALATION: only fumes from fire need be considered; metal-fume fever is not critical, lasting less than 36 hrs.

EYES: flush gently with copious quantities of water for 15 min. with lids held open; treat burns if fire occurred; get medical attention.

SKIN: wash with water; treat burns caused by fire; get medical attention. (USCG, 1999)

• ALUMINUM TRIETHYL
• ATE
• TEA
• TRIETHYLALUMINUM