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Chemical Datasheet

PROPYLENE

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 115-07-1   (PROPYLENE)
  • 1077
  • Flammable Gas
  • PPL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • PROPYLENE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
1 1
Blue Health 1 Can cause significant irritation.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Propylene is a colorless gas with a faint petroleum like odor. It is shipped as a liquefied gas under its own vapor pressure. For transportation it may be stenched. Contact with the liquid can cause frostbite. It is easily ignited. The vapors are heavier than air. Any leak can either be liquid or vapor. It can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. It is used to make other chemicals. Can cause explosion.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode. Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Moderate concentration in air causes dizziness, drowsiness, and unconsciousness. Contact with liquefied propylene will cause "freezing burn". (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
During an experiment to produce lactic acid by oxidizing PROPYLENE with nitrogen peroxide, a violent explosion occurred. These mixtures (olefins and nitrogen peroxide) form extremely unstable nitrosates or nitrosites (Comp. Rend. 116:756 1893). Contact of very cold liquid propylene with water may result in vigorous or violent boiling of the product and extremely rapid vaporization due to the large temperature differences involved. If the water is hot, there is the possibility that a liquid "superheat" explosion may occur. Pressures may build to dangerous levels if liquid propylene contacts water in a closed container.
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 absorbent listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

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. In fires involving Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) (UN1075), Butane (UN1011), Butylene (UN1012), Isobutylene (UN1055), Propylene (UN1077), Isobutane (UN1969), and Propane (UN1978), also refer to BLEVE - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (ERG page 366). (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).

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. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972) pool fires, DO NOT USE water. Use dry chemical or high-expansion foam.

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 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972), DO NOT apply water, regular or alcohol-resistant foam directly on spill. Use a high-expansion foam if available to reduce vapors. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Organic vapor canister or air-supplied mask; goggles or face shield (for liquid); protective clothing (for liquid). (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:
  • C3H6
Flash Point: -162°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 11.1 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 851°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -301.4°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at -205.4°F ; 760 mmHg at -53.9°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 1.46 at 32°F (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.609 at -52.6°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: -53.9°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 42.08 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: 44.6 mL/100 mL (NTP, 1992)
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)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Propylene; (1-Propene) (115-07-1) 1500 ppm 2800 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. 17000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. LEL = 20000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL.
(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
1-Propene 115-07-1 X 10000 pounds
Propene 115-07-1 X 10000 pounds
Propylene 115-07-1 313 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
Propylene; [1-Propene] 115-07-1 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names