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Chemical Datasheet

CAPROLACTAM

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 105-60-2
 none data unavailable
  • CLS
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Caprolactam
  • CAPROLACTAM
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Clear to milky white-colored solution with a mild, disagreeable odor. Contact may cause slight irritation to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be mildly toxic by ingestion. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. As a liquid it can easily penetrate the soil and contaminate groundwater and nearby streams. Used to make other chemicals.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic oxides of nitrogen (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes coughing or mild irritation. Contact with hot liquid will burn eyes and skin. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
CAPROLACTAM is hygroscopic. This compound can react with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases. It can also react with chlorinated hydrocarbons and nitro compounds. A potentially explosive reaction occurs with acetic acid + dinitrogen trioxide. (NTP, 1992)
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
No information available.
Firefighting
No information available.
Non-Fire Response
No information available.
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Caprolactam:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)
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: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim 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: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C6H11NO
Flash Point: 257°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1.4 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 8 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 707°F (NTP, 1992)
Melting Point: 156°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 0.001 mmHg at 68°F ; 3 mmHg at 212°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.91 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.02 at 170.6°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 512.4°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 113.16 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 68.9°F (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
Caprolactam (dust) (105-60-2) 3 mg/m3 40 mg/m3 240 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

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