Material Safety Data Sheet: Copper-Molybdenum Alloy

Identification

Product Name: Copper-Molybdenum Alloy
Synonyms: CuMo, MoCu
Recommended Use: Electronics, thermal management, aerospace, industrial fabrication
Manufacturer: Major international metal producers, specialty alloy manufacturers
Contact Information: Emergency: CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300, Technical Support hotlines for producers
CAS Numbers: Copper: 7440-50-8, Molybdenum: 7439-98-7
Formula: Varies by grade, commonly Copper 70-90% / Molybdenum 10-30%
Product Description: Sintered metal composite, solid, greyish to silvery, high melting point, dense

Hazard Identification

Physical State: Solid alloy (bar, sheet, powder, rod)
Emergency Overview: Dust may irritate eyes, skin, lungs. Massive alloy forms pose minimal acute risk. Grinding or machining can release particulate considered hazardous.
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous in solid form. Powders/fumes may require hazard labels for respiratory irritation.
Health Hazards: Dust inhalation may cause metal fume fever, long-term overexposure to particulates hazardous to lungs (copper and molybdenum as individual elements).
Environmental Hazards: Fine particulates threaten aquatic life if released in significant amounts. Bulk metal does not leach under normal conditions.
Pictograms: Exclamation mark for dust hazard
Signal Word: Warning (for particulate or dust exposure scenarios)
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust. Wear protective equipment during machining or powder handling.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Copper (Cu): 70-90% by weight, CAS No. 7440-50-8, OSHA PEL 1 mg/m³ (dust and mists)
Molybdenum (Mo): 10-30% by weight, CAS No. 7439-98-7, OSHA PEL 15 mg/m³ (total dust)
Impurities: May include trace nickel, iron, tin, or lead (depends on alloy batch/specification)
Alloy Grade Variation: Minor variation common across suppliers, trace elements <1%. Not considered hazardous at concentrations present.
Physical State: Solid, metallic, optionally as powder for certain applications

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove from exposure area, provide fresh air, monitor for respiratory distress or metallic taste, seek medical help for persistent symptoms.
Skin Contact: Wash area thoroughly with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Consult physician if rash, irritation, or inflammation develops.
Eye Contact: Flush with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes. Do not rub. Seek medical attention for persistent redness, pain, or visual disturbance.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting. Drink water. Contact poison control or physician if discomfort develops.
Acute Symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, headache (dust or fume exposure), skin rash.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use extinguishing agent appropriate for surrounding fire (e.g., CO₂, dry chemical, foam). Metal dust fires: class D fire extinguisher. Massive alloy forms do not burn.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid water on molten copper-molybdenum, reacts violently at high temperatures.
Fire Hazards: Bulk alloy not flammable, fine dust may pose ignition hazard. Molten metal contact with water may cause steam explosions.
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear for firefighters.
Special Procedures: Isolate scene, remove containers from fire zone, avoid inhaling fumes.
Toxic Gases: Copper oxide fumes may release under intense heat.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear respirator, gloves, safety goggles if dust or powder scattered.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent dust from entering waterways or drains. Solid pieces pose no immediate environmental risk.
Methods for Clean-Up: Scoop or vacuum spilled powder using HEPA filtration. Avoid dry sweeping. Collect for proper disposal.
Disposal: Consult local regulations, recycle massive pieces, contain fine dust as hazardous waste if contamination possible.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Keep handling to minimal disturbance for massive forms; ventilate well if cutting, welding, or grinding. Clean all work surfaces regularly.
Occupational Exposure: Use dust extraction for machines, avoid ingestion, wear gloves to prevent skin absorption.
Storage Requirements: Store in dry, protected area, segregated from acids, strong oxidizers. Use containers with secure lids, label all containers clearly.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids (reacts with nitric, sulfuric acids), ammonia, oxidizers.
Other Precautions: Keep away from food and drinks, prohibit smoking or eating in work area.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Local exhaust, enclosure for machining centers, HEPA filtration for fine dust collection.
Respiratory Protection: Wear NIOSH-approved respirator (N95 or better) if exposure may reach or exceed occupational limits.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields, goggles for high-dust operations.
Skin Protection: Chemically resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), durable work clothing to minimize direct contact.
Hygiene: Wash hands after use, do not store contaminated clothing with personal items, shower after significant exposure.
Occupational Limits: Copper: ACGIH TLV 1 mg/m³ (dust & mist); Molybdenum: ACGIH TLV 10 mg/m³ (inhalable), 3 mg/m³ (respirable).

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Grey to silver, metallic, odorless, solid bars, rods, sheets, or powder forms
Odor: None
Melting Point: 1100°C to 2600°C (blended property, alloy-specific)
Boiling Point: Above 2600°C
Density: 9.5–11 g/cm³
Solubility: Insoluble in water, minimal reaction with atmospheric moisture
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Conductivity: High thermal and electrical conductivity
pH: Not applicable (solid metal)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, does not decompose.
Reactivity: Minimal in bulk. Reacts with strong acids (nitric, sulfuric) to produce hydrogen or nitrogen oxides, soluble copper compounds.
Hazardous Decomposition: Metal oxide fumes at high temperatures or during welding/cutting.
Incompatible Materials: Acids, strong oxidizers, ammonia, halogens.
Polymerization: Does not occur.
Corrosion Resistance: Good in neutral and alkaline environments, poor in acids.

Toxicological Information

Acute Effects: Dust inhalation may irritate airways, cause metal fume fever (flu-like symptoms, chills, muscle pain). Skin contact with powder may induce dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged dust exposure (copper, molybdenum particulates) may cause lung changes, liver or kidney stress, anemia. Carcinogenicity not established for alloy.
Sensitization: Rare; allergic reaction to copper in susceptible persons possible.
Ingestion: Low risk, but not recommended; stomach upset if accidental ingestion occurs.
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Studies show no evidence at normal occupational exposure levels.
OSHA Carcinogen Listing: Not listed as human carcinogen.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Copper ions highly toxic to aquatic organisms; alloy form releases minimal ions under typical environmental conditions, but fine dust or leachate requires management.
Persistence and Degradability: Metal alloy remains stable, does not degrade biologically.
Bioaccumulation: Potential for copper accumulation in aquatic species; less risk for molybdenum.
Mobility in Soil: Low from massive metal, higher for dust or powder.
Other Ecological Effects: Not expected to cause long-term contamination unless large quantities of particulate enter waterways.

Disposal Considerations

Safe Disposal Methods: Recycle massive alloy forms whenever possible; treat dust or contaminated debris as hazardous waste using approved local landfills.
Regulatory Disposal Information: Refer to 40 CFR 261 (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) for copper/molybdenum disposal limits.
Prevention: Collect machining dusts, avoid release to drains. For powders, package in sealed containers, label with chemical contents.
Incineration: Not recommended due to metal fume hazard.

Transport Information

Shipping Name: Metal Alloy, Non-hazardous (in solid form, per USDOT regulations)
UN Number: Not regulated for transport (solid pieces). For powder, may require "Other Regulated Substances".
Hazard Class: Not hazardous for bulk transportation.
Packing Group: Not required for solid, non-dust forms.
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture, prevent fugitive dust release during transit, secure all containers to prevent shifting.
Labeling: No specific DOT, IMDG, IATA labels for solid alloy; powder/particulates may need additional marking.

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Regulated as nuisance dust; enforce exposure limits to copper and molybdenum in workplace air.
TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act): Components listed.
SARA Title III: Copper subject to reporting under certain conditions; molybdenum not an extremely hazardous substance.
REACH (EU): Registered, subject to annual volume tracking per supplier.
California Proposition 65: Products containing nickel or lead as contaminant may require specific warning labels.
Environmental Regulations: Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act list copper as a priority pollutant; always minimize dust and wastewater emissions.