Material Safety Data Sheet for Molybdenum Boride

Identification

Product Name: Molybdenum Boride
Chemical Formula: MoB or Mo2B
Synonyms: Molybdenum Monoboride, Molybdenum Diboride
CAS Number: 12006-99-4
Recommended Use: Laboratory research, advanced ceramics, specialty coatings
Supplier: Manufacturer’s address, phone, and emergency contact details specific to distributor
Emergency Phone Number: Supplied by local distributor or national poison control center

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to GHS
Main Hazards: Dust inhalation, eye and skin irritation, respiratory tract discomfort
Signal Word: None required
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, use only with adequate ventilation, wash hands thoroughly after handling, wear protective gloves and eye protection
Pictograms: Not mandated for this material, but handle as a particulate hazard
Target Organs: Lungs, skin, eyes

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Molybdenum Boride
Purity: >95% typical
Ingredients: Molybdenum (Mo): 53–60%, Boron (B): 40–47%
Impurities: Trace elements (may include Fe, Si, C, O, as per batch analysis)
Physical Form: Powder, granule, or sintered piece

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, seek medical attention for any breathing difficulty or persistent cough, provide oxygen if difficulty breathing
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water, seek medical care for persistent itching or rash
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least fifteen minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, seek ophthalmological review if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, never induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel, seek emergency attention if large amount swallowed or symptoms develop

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry sand, special powder extinguishers approved for metal fires, use Class D fire extinguishing agents
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use water, foam, or carbon dioxide directly on burning material as violent reaction or explosion may occur
Hazardous Combustion Products: Boron oxides, molybdenum oxides, fumes
Specific Hazards: Fine powders might present combustion risk in the presence of strong oxidizing agents
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear full face self-contained breathing apparatus, flame-resistant clothing, gloves, and boots
Fire-fighting Tactics: Move containers from fire area if safe, use dry agents, avoid inhaling smoke and fume

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid generation of dust, ventilate affected area, keep unnecessary personnel out of the area, wear appropriate PPE (N95 mask, goggles, gloves)
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further spillage if safe to do, avoid release to soil and water, do not wash down drains
Methods for Clean-Up: Use HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner or wet sweeping, avoid dry broom, collect spilled material into sealed, labeled containers for disposal
Decontamination Procedures: Wash contact surfaces thoroughly after material removal, ensure disposal area meets local environmental regulations

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Advice: Minimize airborne dust generation, utilize containment measures, handle in a well-ventilated area, avoid contact with skin and eyes, avoid inhalation
Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly closed container, dry, cool, well-ventilated location away from incompatible substances (especially oxidizing agents)
Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong acids, alkali metals, oxidants, and halogens
Packing Materials: Substance compatible containers such as high-density polyethylene, glass, or stainless steel
Specific Use Precautions: Implement dust control measures, always store away from food and drink

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Workplace Exposure Limits: Molybdenum: OSHA PEL 5 mg/m³ (insoluble compounds, as Mo), Boron compounds currently not assigned specific limit
Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits
Personal Protection: Approved respirator (N95 or better) if exposure exceeds limits, safety goggles or face shield, gloves resistant to particulates (nitrile, latex), long-sleeved clothing
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face before breaks and after handling product, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Grey-black powder or solid
Odor: Odorless
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: Approximately 2200–2300°C
Boiling Point: Data not established (decomposes at high temperatures)
Flash Point: Not applicable for inorganic material
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in some acids
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Bulk Density: 3.5–6.7 g/cm³ depending on phase and preparation
Particle Size: Range from fine powder (<10 µm) to crystals
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not relevant for solid material
Decomposition Temperature: >1200°C (may form boron oxides and metallic fumes)
Flammability: Not classified for flammability, but powder may ignite in intense fire

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Non-reactive with most common materials, may react with strong oxidizers
Conditions to Avoid: High temperature, humidity, strong oxidizers, acids
Incompatible Materials: Nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, alkali metals, fluorine, bromine trifluoride
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Boron oxides, molybdenum oxides, toxic fumes
Polymerization: Will not occur under normal circumstances

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin or eye contact, accidental ingestion
Acute Effects: Short-term dust inhalation may cause lung irritation, cough, throat discomfort, skin or eye contact may cause redness and irritation
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure to fine dust can aggravate chronic lung conditions
LD50/LC50: Data not available for MoB itself; Mo and B elemental toxicology shows low oral and dermal acute toxicity
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by OSHA, IARC, or NTP for molybdenum-boron compounds
Sensitization: No evidence of skin or respiratory sensitization found in literature
Other Data: Boron-containing dusts may impair reproductive health at elevated exposures, molybdenum compounds in chronic doses may affect liver and kidney function

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: No direct studies for MoB, but anticipated to have low acute aquatic toxicity based on constituent elements
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic material, not biodegradable, can persist in environment unchanged
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low expected due to low solubility in water
Mobility in Soil: Limited by insolubility; particles settle in sediment or soil
Other Adverse Effects: High concentrations may alter soil or water chemistries if released in bulk
Special Precautions: Contain material to reduce emissions to water bodies, aquatic ecosystems, and agricultural soil

Disposal Considerations

Waste Management: Dispose according to local, regional, and national regulations as industrial hazardous waste
Recommended Method: Collect residue and contaminated materials in sealed containers, send to appropriate hazardous waste incinerator or landfill facility licensed for inorganic waste
Do Not: Wash into sewers, watercourses, or uncontrolled public landfill
Contaminated Packaging: Treat empty containers as hazardous, decontaminate if possible, dispose as per waste management authority
RCRA Code: None assigned unless mixed with regulated hazardous waste

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for transport as a hazardous material
Proper Shipping Name: Molybdenum Boride
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Packaging Group: No classification
Special Precautions: Prevent generation of dust during transport, secure containers to avoid spillage, label containers as “Material for industrial use only”
Regulatory Transport Statements: Adhere to all local transportation and environmental management rules

Regulatory Information

Regulatory Status: Not listed as a hazardous substance or mixture under OSHA, TSCA, SARA 313, or REACH
National Inventory Listing: Listed in the United States (TSCA), EU (EINECS/ELINCS), and other national inventories
Labeling Requirements: Not subject to extensive labeling, though industrial hygiene labeling required (dust warning, PPE statement)
Workplace Regulation: Comply with OSHA, ACGIH, and NIOSH guidelines for dust exposures
Risk Phrases: May cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract due to dust
Safety Phrases: Keep out of reach of children, wear suitable PPE, avoid emissions to the environment
Other Guidance: Periodic air monitoring and worker health surveillance suggested in facilities using large volumes or fine powder