Bismuth-Copper Alloy Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Bismuth-Copper Alloy
Common Names: Bismuth Bronze, Bi-Cu Alloy
CAS Numbers: Bismuth: 7440-69-9; Copper: 7440-50-8
Relevant Uses: Machining, casting, solder alloys, electrical applications
Company Details: Emergency contact and supplier information can be found on the invoice and shipment paperwork attached to each order
Synonyms: BiCu, Bi-Cu composite
Manufacturer Contact: Refer to technical datasheet
Emergency Phone Number: Local poison control and fire services

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS for ingot or solid form; dust and fume present inhalation hazard
Signal Word: None for solid; Danger for dust or molten
Hazard Statements: Inhalation of dust or fumes can irritate respiratory tract, eyes, skin; Exposure to fumes during melting or grinding increases risk
Pictogram: Exclamation mark (irritant) applies to fume/dust
Main Health Effects: Respiratory irritation, nausea, metal fume fever (for copper component); Contact can provoke dermatitis
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, fumes, vapors; Use adequate ventilation; Wear suitable protective equipment during handling, melting, or machining

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Mixture
Ingredients: Bismuth Content 40-70% by weight (CAS: 7440-69-9), Copper Content 30-60% by weight (CAS: 7440-50-8)
Other Elements: May contain trace amounts of silver, zinc, lead (each below 1%)
Impurities and Additives: Only elements intentionally used in production listed; no known hazardous binders or fillers

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air quickly; keep at rest; medical attention if symptoms persist (e.g., coughing, shortness of breath)
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; for burns from molten alloy, cool area under running water and seek emergency medical care
Eye Contact: Flush carefully with clean, lukewarm water for 15 minutes; check for abrasions if dust suspected; contact physician for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth out; do not induce vomiting; seek medical supervision
Note for Physicians: Symptomatic and supportive treatment; monitor for respiratory complications from metal fume or particulate exposure

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, sand, or CO₂ for metal fire; water spray for cooling only (never direct stream at molten metal)
Special Hazards: Fumes from fire can release toxic oxides of bismuth and copper; metal dust dispersed in air can cause explosion hazard
Protective Equipment: Wear full firefighting gear including eye protection and NIOSH-approved respirator
Thermal Decomposition Products: May generate bismuth oxide, copper oxide, and metallic fumes
Precautions: Remove sources of ignition; avoid breathing smoke or fume; isolate area; allow fire to burn out if small and contained

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, safety glasses, dust mask for dust or spills; remove unprotected personnel from area
Environmental Protection: Prevent run-off of dust or fines into drains, watercourses, soil; collect material for recycling when possible
Cleanup Methods: Sweep or shovel spilled alloy; minimize dust generation; place residue in sealable containers for proper disposal
Decontamination: Wet cleaning can reduce airborne dust; clean PPE after use

Handling and Storage

Handling Recommendations: Avoid generating or inhaling dusts and fumes; use adequate local exhaust during melting, cutting, or grinding; wash hands after handling
Technical Measures: Maintain proper ventilation near hot-processing stations; segregate from incompatible substances (acids, oxidizers)
Safe Storage Conditions: Store alloy in closed containers in dry, well-ventilated environment; protect from moisture, acids, and extreme temperatures; away from food and feed
Fire Safety: Keep away from sources of ignition; avoid stacking heavy containers on unstable surfaces

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Permissible Exposure Limits (as metals): Bismuth: 5 mg/m³ (ceiling), Copper dust: 1 mg/m³, Copper fumes: 0.1 mg/m³ (OSHA/NIOSH standards)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust for processing, general ventilation for storage areas, fume hoods for melting
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved mask for dust or fume; fit-tested respirators during melting, grinding, or welding
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles, face shield when pouring or grinding
Hand Protection: Heat-resistant gloves for molten alloy, cut-resistant gloves for handling solids
Other PPE: Long sleeved work clothing, closed-toe shoes; launder clothing often
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking while handling; wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after work

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Reddish-brown to silvery gray metallic solid, ingots, rods, or powder
Odor: Odorless
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: 262°C–990°C depending on actual composition
Boiling Point: Well above 1000°C, decomposition before boiling
Density: 8.7–9.5 g/cm³ depending on bismuth-copper ratio
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined for alloy
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not combustible as solid
Explosive Properties: Dust explosion risk during machining or powder processing
Oxidizing Properties: Not classified as an oxidizer

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions; stable to air at room temperature
Conditions to Avoid: Strong acids (esp. nitric acid), strong oxidizers, moist storage for extended periods
Incompatible Materials: Acidic vapors, ammonia, chlorine, oxidation catalysts
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Bismuth oxide, copper oxide fumes at high temperature, metallic dust
Polymerization: Does not occur

Toxicological Information

Exposure Pathways: Inhalation of dust or fume, skin and eye contact, accidental ingestion
Acute Effects: Eye irritation, coughing, sore throat, nausea, headache possible with fume exposure; skin rash rare with metallic bismuth and copper
Chronic Effects: Long-term inhalation of copper dust linked to upper respiratory inflammation, potential for metal fume fever; bismuth considered to have low chronic toxicity
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a human carcinogen by IARC, ACGIH, NTP, or OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence from animal tests for reproductive harm; bismuth and copper not linked to teratogenicity
Mutagenicity: No data indicating mutagenic risk
Target Organs: Respiratory tract, eyes; possible liver/kidney effects from high dose, long-term exposure to copper
Other Data: Metal fume fever, usually reversible

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Copper toxic to aquatic life at high concentrations; bismuth seen as less toxic but low mobility in soil and water
Bioaccumulation Potential: Copper accumulates in aquatic organisms; bismuth less so; both metals relatively immobile as solid alloys
Environmental Persistence: Low for solid alloy, higher for fine dust
Soil Mobility: Alloy remains at site; dust can migrate short distances; stormwater can transport dust into waterways
Other Effects: No known ozone depletion, global warming, or photochemical smog risks from alloy itself

Disposal Considerations

Waste Management: Recycle scrap whenever possible; return unused material to supplier or certified metals recycler
Disposal Methods: If recycling not possible, dispose of as hazardous waste according to local, state, federal regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Clean containers thoroughly before reuse or scrap; do not reuse for food or drink
Regulatory Status: Subject to solid waste laws; see local codes

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous goods in solid form
Proper Shipping Name: Metal alloy, not otherwise specified
Transport Hazard Class: Not applicable for ingot or rod
Packing Group: Not regulated
Environmental Hazards: No marine pollutant designation for solid alloy
Special Precautions: Guard against dust generation and shifting loads; keep away from foodstuffs and feed
Regulatory Info: Observe all applicable transportation codes

Regulatory Information

US TSCA: Both bismuth and copper appear on TSCA inventory
OSHA: Not regulated as a specific hazardous chemical in solid; exposure standards for dust/fumes apply
SARA Title III: Copper subject to SARA 313 reporting
REACH (EU): Bismuth and copper registered
Canadian WHMIS: Not classified as hazardous product; dusts/fumes considered hazardous
EINECS / ELINCS: Both metals listed
Other National Regulations: Check country-specific metallurgy and hazardous waste codes
Other Information: Product safety assessment must follow local law for alloy use, handling, and disposal