WELDFAST/METALCORP ER70S-6 ChemWatch Material Safety Data Sheet CHEMWATCH 4621-66 Issue Date: Tue 15-Feb-2005 CD 2004/4 Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION PRODUCT NAME WELDFAST/METALCORP ER70S-6 SYNONYMS PRODUCT USE Consumable electrode for gas metal arc welding of mild steels. Used to butt and fillet weld mild and medium strength structural steels, pressure vessels and pressure piping steels, sheet steel and steel tubing in all positions. Used under shielding gas, typically argon, CO2 or mixtures. SUPPLIER Company: Workshop Equipment Specialists Address: Box 319 Golden Square VIC 3555 Australia Telephone: 03 5443 4827 Fax: 03 5441 6521 Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS NATURE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE. NON-DANGEROUS GOODS. According to the Criteria of NOHSC, and the ADG Code. POISONS SCHEDULE None RISK SAFETY Use only in well ventilated areas. Keep container in a well ventilated place. Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. If you feel unwell contact Doctor or Poisons Information Centre. (Show the label if possible). In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and keep at rest. Section 3 - COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS NAME CAS RN % welding wire which upon use generates (with CO2 shield gas) welding fumes Not avail. as iron oxide fume 1309-37-1 30-60 manganese fume 7439-96-5 1-10 silica welding fumes 69012-64-2 1-10 copper fume 7440-50-8 <0.1^ action of arc may produce ozone 10028-15-6 nitrogen oxides Mixture Note: Fume composition may vary depending on the shielding gas used. Section 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES SWALLOWED Not normally a hazard due to the physical form of product. The material is a physical irritant to the gastro-intestinal tract EYE • Particulate bodies from welding spatter may be removed carefully. • DO NOT attempt to remove particles attached to or embedded in eye. • Lay victim down, on stretcher if available and pad BOTH eyes, make sure dressing does not press on the injured eye by placing thick pads under dressing, above and below the eye. • Seek urgent medical assistance, or transport to hospital. SKIN If skin or hair contact occurs: • Flush skin and hair with running water (and soap if available). • Seek medical attention in event of irritation. INHALED • If fumes or combustion products are inhaled remove from contaminated area. • Lay patient down. Keep warm and rested. • Prostheses such as false teeth, which may block airway, should be removed, where possible, prior to initiating first aid procedures. • Apply artificial respiration if not breathing, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve mask device, or pocket mask as trained. Perform CPR if necessary. • Transport to hospital, or doctor. NOTES TO PHYSICIAN Copper, magnesium, aluminium, antimony, iron, manganese, nickel, zinc (and their compounds) in welding, brazing, galvanising or smelting operations all give rise to thermally produced particulates of smaller dimension than may be produced if the metals are divided mechanically. Where insufficient ventilation or respiratory protection is available these particulates may produce "metal fume fever" in workers from an acute or long term exposure. • Onset occurs in 4-6 hours generally on the evening following exposure. Tolerance develops in workers but may be lost over the weekend. (Monday Morning Fever) • Pulmonary function tests may indicate reduced lung volumes, small airway obstruction and decreased carbon monoxide diffusing capacity but these abnormalities resolve after several months. • Although mildly elevated urinary levels of heavy metal may occur they do not correlate with clinical effects. • The general approach to treatment is recognition of the disease, supportive care and prevention of exposure. • Seriously symptomatic patients should receive chest x-rays, have arterial blood gases determined and be observed for the development of tracheobronchitis and pulmonary edema. [Ellenhorn and Barceloux: Medical Toxicology] Section 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES EXTINGUISHING MEDIA • There is no restriction on the type of extinguisher which may be used. FIRE FIGHTING • Alert Fire Brigade and tell them location and nature of hazard. • Wear breathing apparatus plus protective gloves for fire only. • Prevent, by any means available, spillage from entering drains or water courses. • Use fire fighting procedures suitable for surrounding area. • DO NOT approach containers suspected to be hot. • Cool fire exposed containers with water spray from a protected location. • If safe to do so, remove containers from path of fire. • Equipment should be thoroughly decontaminated after use. FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD • Non combustible. • Not considered to be a significant fire risk, however containers may burn. • In a fire may decompose on heating and produce toxic / corrosive fumes. FIRE INCOMPATIBILITY None known HAZCHEM None Personal Protective Equipment PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Breathing apparatus. Chemical splash suit. Section 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES EMERGENCY PROCEDURES MINOR SPILLS Clean up all spills immediately. Wear impervious gloves and safety glasses. Use dry clean up procedures and avoid generating dust. Place in suitable containers for disposal. MAJOR SPILLS Minor hazard. • Clear area of personnel. • Alert Fire Brigade and tell them location and nature of hazard. • Control personal contact by using protective equipment if risk of overexposure exists. • Prevent, by any means available, spillage from entering drains or water courses. • Contain spill/secure load if safe to do so. • Bundle/collect recoverable product and label for recycling. • Collect remaining product and place in appropriate containers for disposal. • Clean up/sweep up area. Water may be required. • If contamination of drains or waterways occurs, advise emergency services. Personal Protective Equipment advice is contained in Section 8 of the MSDS. Section 7 - HANDLING AND STORAGE PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING Earth all lines and equipment. • Limit all unnecessary personal contact. • Wear protective clothing when risk of exposure occurs. • Use in a well-ventilated area. • Avoid contact with incompatible materials. • When handling, DO NOT eat, drink or smoke. • Keep containers securely sealed when not in use. • Avoid physical damage to containers. • Always wash hands with soap and water after handling. • Work clothes should be laundered separately. • Use good occupational work practice. • Observe manufacturer's storing and handling recommendations. • Atmosphere should be regularly checked against established exposure standards to ensure safe working conditions are maintained. SUITABLE CONTAINER Packaging as recommended by manufacturer. MIG wire spools (random or precision wound) STORAGE INCOMPATIBILITY Welding electrodes should not be allowed to come into contact with strong acids or other substances which are corrosive to metals. STORAGE REQUIREMENTS • Store in original containers. • Keep containers securely sealed. • Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. • Store away from incompatible materials and foodstuff containers. • Protect containers against physical damage and check regularly for leaks. • Observe manufacturer's storing and handling recommendations. Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION EXPOSURE CONTROLS None assigned. Refer to individual constituents. INGREDIENT DATA WELDING FUMES: TLV TWA: 5 mg/m³ B2 [ACGIH] In addition to complying with any individual exposure standards for specific contaminants, where current manual welding processes are used, the fume concentration inside the welder's helmet should not exceed 5 mg/m³, when collected in accordance with the appropriate standard (AS 3640, for example). ES* TWA: 5 mg/m³ TLV* TWA: 5 mg/m³, B2 (a substance of variable composition) OES* TWA: 5 mg/m³ Most welding, even with primitive ventilation, does not produce exposures inside the welding helmet above 5 mg/m³. That which does should be controlled (ACGIH). Inspirable dust concentrations in a workers breathing zone shall be collected and measured in accordance with AS 3640, for example. Metal content can be analytically determined by OSHA Method ID25 (ICP-AES) after total digestion of filters and dissolution of captured metals. Sampling of the Respirable Dust fraction requires cyclone separator devices (elutriators) and procedures to comply with AS 2985 (for example). IRON OXIDE FUME: PEL TWA: 10 mg/m³ [OSHA Z1] ES* TWA: 5 mg/m³ (as Fe in fumes and gases from welding and cutting) TLV* TWA: 5 mg/m³ (as Fe) A4 NOTE: This substance has been classified by the ACGIH as A4 NOT classifiable as causing Cancer in humans OES* TWA: 5 mg/m³; STEL: 10 mg/m³ (as Fe) MANGANESE FUME: PEL Ceiling: 5 mg/m³ [OSHA Z1] ES* TWA: 1 mg/m³ STEL: 3 mg/m³ OES* TWA: 1 mg/m³; STEL: 3 mg/m³ (as Mn) SILICA WELDING FUMES: TLV TWA: 2 mg/m³ (R) silica fume [ACGIH] TLV TWA: 2 mg/m³ respirable fraction (silica fume) ES TWA: 2 mg/m³ respirable dust (fumed silica) OZONE: TLV TWA: 0.1 ppm [ACGIH] TLV STEL: 0.3 ppm [ACGIH] TLV TWA: 0.05 heavy work A4 [ACGIH] TLV TWA: 0.2 heavy moderate or light workloads () A4 [ACGIH] TLV TWA: 0.1 light work A4 [ACGIH] TLV TWA: 0.08 moderate work A4 [ACGIH] PEL TWA: 0.1 ppm, 0.2 mg/m³ [OSHA Z1] ES Peak: 0.10 ppm, 0.20 mg/m³ TLV TWA: 0.05 ppm A4 (heavy work) TLV TWA: 0.08 ppm A4 (moderate work) TLV TWA: 0.10 ppm A4 (light work) TLV TWA: 0.20 ppm A4 light, moderate or heavy workloads <=2 hours NOTE: This substance has been classified by the ACGIH as A4 NOT classifiable as causing Cancer in humans OES STEL: 0.2 ppm, 0.4 mg/m³ Danish Exposure Standard: 0.01 ppm TRK: 0.1 ml/m³; 0.2 mg/m³ The technical exposure limit, TRK (Technische Richtkonzentrationen), defines the airborne concentration of named carcinogenic materials which is the minimum possible given the state of current technologies. TRK values are assigned only for materials for which there is no current MAK (German exposure standard). Observance of the TRK value is intended to reduce the risk of adverse effects on health but does NOT completely eliminate it. Since no threshold doses can be determined for carcinogens, health considerations require that the exposure limits be kept as far as possible below the TRK and that the TRK value be gradually reduced. The limitation of exposure peaks is regulated as follows; Short-term exposure limit: 5 x TRK Short-term exposure duration: 15 min/average Frequency per work shift: 5 times Interval: 1 hour Report No. 35 1999, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. IDLH Level: 5 ppm NOTE: Detector tubes for ozone, measuring in excess of 0.05 ppm, are commercially available. Exposure at 0.2 ppm appears to produce mild acute but not cumulative effects. It is thought that exposures of the order of 0.1 ppm will be tolerated by most workers including asthmatics. Chronic exposure at 0.1 ppm or more can induce significant adverse effects in the lower respiratory tract of both normal and atopic individuals. Human exposure for 2 hours at an average concentration of 1.5 ppm ozone resulted in a 20% reduction in timed vital capacity of the lung and other effects. Concentrations of ozone in excess of a few tenths ppm cause occasional discomfort to exposed individuals manifest as headache, dryness of the throat and mucous membranes of the eyes and nose following exposures of short duration. Exposure to ozone during moderate to heavy work loads results in significantly decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at 0.12 ppm; this is effect is greater at higher concentrations. NITROGEN OXIDES: Data for nitrogen dioxide: TLV TWA: 3 ppm 6 mg/m³ STEL: 5 ppm 10 mg/m³ ES TWA: 3 ppm 5.6 mg/m³ STEL: 5 ppm 9.4 mg/m³ IDLH Level: 50 ppm NOTE: Detector tubes for nitrogen dioxide, measuring in excess of 0.5 ppm, are commercially available. PERSONAL PROTECTION EYE Welding helmet with suitable filter. Welding hand shield with suitable filter. Contact lenses pose a special hazard; soft lenses may absorb irritants and all lenses concentrate them. For most open welding/brazing operations, goggles, even with appropriate filters, will not afford sufficient facial protection for operators. Where possible use welding helmets or handshields corresponding to AS 1336 and AS 1338 which provide the maximum possible facial protection from flying particles and fragments. [WRIA-WTIA Technical Note 7] HANDS/FEET Welding Gloves Safety footwear OTHER Overalls • Eyewash unit. Aprons, sleeves, shoulder covers, leggings or spats of pliable flame resistant leather or other suitable materials may also be required in positions where these areas of the body will encounter hot metal. RESPIRATOR Selection of the Class and Type of respirator will depend upon the level of breathing zone contaminant and the chemical nature of the contaminant. Protection Factors (defined as the ratio of contaminant outside and inside the mask) may also be important. Breathing Zone Maximum Protection Half-face Full-Face Level ppm (volume) Factor Respirator Respirator 1000 10 E-AUS - 1000 50 - E-AUS 5000 50 Airline * - 5000 100 - E-2 10000 100 - E-3 100+ Airline** * - Continuous Flow ** - Continuous-flow or positive pressure demand The local concentration of material, quantity and conditions of use determine the type of personal protective equipment required. For further information consult site specific CHEMWATCH data (if available), or your Occupational Health and Safety Advisor. ENGINEERING CONTROLS For gas welding and cutting operations the nature of ventilation is determined by the location of the work. • For outdoor work, natural ventilation is generally sufficient. • For indoor work, conducted in either open or limited spaces , use mechanical (general exhaust or plenum) ventilation . (Open work spaces exceed 300 cubic metres per welder) • For work conducted in confined spaces, mechanical ventilation, using local exhaust systems, is required. (In confined spaces always check that oxygen has not been depleted by excessive rusting of steel or snowflake corrosion of aluminium) Mechanical or local exhaust ventilation may not be required where the process working time does not exceed 24 mins. (in an 8 hr. shift) provided the work is intermittent (a maximum of 5 mins. every hour). Local exhaust systems must be designed to provide a minimum capture velocity at the fume source, away from the worker, of 0.5 metre/sec. Section 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES APPEARANCE Copper coated solid steel wire. No odour. Insoluble in water. Wire analysis: 0.1%C, 1.45%Mn, 0.88%Si, 0.02%S, 0.022%P, balance Fe. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Solid. Does not mix with water. Sinks in water. Molecular Weight: Not applicable. Boiling Range (°C): Not applicable Melting Range (°C): >1500 Specific Gravity (water=1): >7 Solubility in water (g/L): Immiscible pH (as supplied): Not applicable pH (1% solution): Not applicable. Vapour Pressure (kPa): Not applicable Volatile Component (%vol): Not applicable Evaporation Rate: Not applicable Relative Vapour Density (air=1): Not available. Flash Point (°C): Not applicable Lower Explosive Limit (%): Not applicable Upper Explosive Limit (%): Not applicable Autoignition Temp (°C): Not applicable Decomposition Temp (°C): Not available. State: Manufactured Section 10 - CHEMICAL STABILITY AND REACTIVITY INFORMATION CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO INSTABILITY Product is considered stable and hazardous polymerisation will not occur. Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS SWALLOWED Not normally a hazard due to physical form of product. Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments EYE Fumes from welding/brazing operations may be irritating to the eyes. SKIN Skin contact does not normally present a hazard, though it is always possible that occasionally individuals may be found who react to substances usually regarded as inert. INHALED Manganese fume is toxic and produces nervous system effects characterised by tiredness. Acute poisoning is rare although acute inflammation of the lungs may occur. A chemical pneumonia may also result from frequent exposure. Inhalation of freshly formed metal oxide particles sized below 1.5 microns and generally between 0.02 to 0.05 microns may result in "metal fume fever". Symptoms may be delayed for up to 12 hours and begin with the sudden onset of thirst, and a sweet, metallic or foul taste in the mouth. Other symptoms include upper respiratory tract irritation accompanied by coughing and a dryness of the mucous membranes, lassitude and a generalised feeling of malaise. Mild to severe headache, nausea, occasional vomiting, fever or chills, exaggerated mental activity, profuse sweating, diarrhoea, excessive urination and prostration may also occur. Tolerance to the fumes develops rapidly, but is quickly lost. All symptoms usually subside within 24-36 hours following removal from exposure. Harmful levels of ozone may be found when working in confined spaces. Symptoms of exposure include irritation of the upper membranes of the respiratory tract and lungs as well as pulmonary (lung) changes including irritation, accumulation of fluid (congestion and oedema) and in some cases haemorrhage. Exposure may aggravate any pre-existing lung condition such as bronchitis, asthma or emphysema. Shielding gases may act as simple asphyxiants if significant levels are allowed to accumulate. Oxygen monitoring may be necessary. Effects on lungs are significantly enhanced in the presence of respirable particles. CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS Principal route of exposure is inhalation of welding fumes from electrodes and workpiece. Reaction products arising from electrode core and flux appear as welding fume depending on welding conditions, relative volatilities of metal oxides and any coatings on the workpiece. Studies of lung cancer among welders indicate that they may experience a 30-40% increased risk compared to the general population. Since smoking and exposure to other cancer-causing agents, such as asbestos fibre, may influence these results, it is not clear whether welding, in fact, represents a significant lung cancer risk. Whilst mild steel welding represents little risk, the stainless steel welder, exposed to chromium and nickel fume, may be at risk and it is this factor which may account for the overall increase in lung cancer incidence among welders. Cold isolated electrodes are relatively harmless. Welding fume with high levels of ferrous materials may lead to particle deposition in the lungs (siderosis) after long exposure. This clears up when exposure stops. Chronic exposure to iron dusts may lead to eye disorders. severe disorders of the nervous system, has been reported in welders working on Mn steels in confined spaces. Ozone is suspected to produce lung cancer in laboratory animals; no reports of this effect have been documented in exposed human populations. Other welding process exposures can arise from radiant energy UV flash burns, thermal burns or electric shock The welding arc emits ultraviolet radiation at wavelengths that have the potential to produce skin tumours in animals and in over-exposed individuals, however, no confirmatory studies of this effect in welders have been reported. Weldfast/Metalcorp ER70S-6 Not available. Refer to individual constituents. unless otherwise specified data extracted from RTECS - Register of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances WELDING FUMES: Not available. Refer to individual constituents. WARNING: This substance has been classified by the IARC as Group 2B: Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. IRON OXIDE FUME: No oral toxicity data. The substance is classified by IARC as Group 3: NOT classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. Evidence of carcinogenicity may be inadequate or limited in animal testing. Substance has been investigated as a tumorigen; found to be an equivocal tumorogenic agent by RTECS criteria. MANGANESE FUME: TOXICITY IRRITATION Inhalation (man) TCLo: 2.3 mg/m3 Skin (rabbit) 500mg/24H Mild Oral (rat) LD50: 9000 mg/kg Eye (rabbit) 500mg/24H Mild The substance has been investigated as a tumorigen; found to be an equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS. SILICA WELDING FUMES: The substance is classified by IARC as Group 3: NOT classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. Evidence of carcinogenicity may be inadequate or limited in animal testing. TOXICITY IRRITATION Oral (rat) LD50: 3160 mg/kg No data [RTECS] Reports indicate high/prolonged exposures to amorphous silicas induced lung fibrosis in experimental animals; in some experiments these effects were reversible. [PATTYS] OZONE: TOXICITY IRRITATION Inhalation (human) LCLo: 50 ppm/30m Eye (rabbit): 2 ppm/4h Inhalation (human) TCLo: 1 ppm Inhalation (rabbit) LC50: 36 ppm/3m NOTE: Aggravates chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Suspected also of increasing the risk of acute and chronic respiratory disease, mutagenesis and fetotoxicity. In animals short-term exposure to ambient concentrations of less than 1 ppm results in reduced capacity to kill intrapulmonary organisms and allows purulent bacteria to proliferate [Ellenhorn etal] NITROGEN OXIDES: Data for nitrogen dioxide: exposure. TOXICITY IRRITATION Inhalation (human) LCLo: 200 ppm/1m Nil reported Inhalation (man) TCLo: 6200 ppb/10m Substance has been investigated as a mutagen and reproductive effector. NOTE: Interstitial edema, epithelial proliferation and, in high concentrations, fibrosis and emphysema develop after repeated Section 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Refer to data for ingredients, which follows: WELDING FUMES: No data for welding fumes. IRON OXIDE FUME: No data for iron oxide fume. MANGANESE FUME: No data for manganese fume. SILICA WELDING FUMES: No data OZONE: Hazardous Air Pollutant: No The material is classified as an ecotoxin* because the Fish LC50 (96 hours) is less than or equal to 0.1 mg/l * Classification of Substances as Ecotoxic (Dangerous to the Environment) Appendix 8, Table 1 Compiler's Guide for the Preparation of International Chemical Safety Cards: 1993 Commission of the European Communities NITROGEN OXIDES: Hazardous Air Pollutant: No Section 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS • Recycle wherever possible or consult manufacturer for recycling options. • Consult State Land Waste Management Authority for disposal. • Bury residue in an authorised landfill. • Recycle containers if possible, or dispose of in an authorised landfill. Section 14 - TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION Shipping Name: None Dangerous Goods Class: None UN/NA Number: None ADR Number: None Packing Group: None Additional Shipping Information: International Transport Regulations: IMO: None HAZCHEM None Section 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION POISONS SCHEDULE None Section 16 - OTHER INFORMATION This document is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, review or criticism, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from CHEMWATCH. TEL (+61 3) 9572 4700. Issue Date: Tue 15-Feb-2005 Print Date: Tue 15-Feb-2005