Material Safety Data Sheet – Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV)

Identification

Product Name: Thermoplastic Vulcanizate
Chemical Family: Thermoplastic elastomer blend of polypropylene and crosslinked rubber
Synonyms: TPV, TPE-V
Recommended Use: Automotive parts, seals, outsoles, gaskets, consumer goods
Supplier: Typically thermoplastics or chemical companies; ensure the supplier’s information is listed here
Emergency Telephone: Company main emergency response number, usually available on packaging or the company website
Email Contact: Usually a technical support or safety representative’s email
Address: Business address of manufacturer or distributor
Date Prepared: Current revision of MSDS, reflecting latest regulatory information

Hazard Identification

Health Hazards: Low acute toxicity, but processing at very high temperatures releases fumes that may irritate the eyes, skin, or lungs; molten material can cause thermal burns
Physical Hazards: Non-flammable as a solid, but dust and high vapor levels during processing can become combustible
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under Globally Harmonized System for most forms; consult specific supplier MSDS
Signal Words: None for solid form; “Warning” applies to potential fume inhalation and hot product contact
Label Elements: No pictograms for the solid; wear thermal-protective gloves during handling of hot material
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation of processing fumes, and direct contact with molten polymer; use proper ventilation and thermal protection
Potential Environmental Effects: Can persist in environment, floating in water; combustion yields carbon monoxide, smoke, small amounts of hazardous decomposition

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Ingredients: Polypropylene resin, crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber
Other Ingredients: Mineral oils or plasticizers, processing stabilizers, antioxidants, pigment (carbon black or color additives), talc or silica as fillers
CAS Numbers: Polypropylene (9003-07-0); EPDM (25038-36-2); additives and fillers may vary by formulation
Percent Range: Polypropylene (40–70%), EPDM (20–50%), Additives/Fillers (1–15%)
Hazardous Impurities: None expected in commercially available grades
TSCA Inventory: All components generally listed or excluded (verify with supplier)

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, remove contacts if present, seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Skin Contact: For contact with molten polymer, cool quickly with water; do not remove solidified material from skin, seek immediate medical attention; wash with soap and water for irritation from fine dust or unheated product
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; if symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing develop, seek medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical professional; seek advice if material is swallowed in large amounts
Notes to Physician: Burns from molten polymer should be treated as thermal burns; no specific antidote, treat supportively

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, carbon dioxide (CO₂), dry chemical
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Strong water jets may scatter burning molten product
Specific Hazards: Burning TPV emits dense black smoke, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), traces of nitrogen oxides, possible hydrocarbon fragments
Protective Equipment: Wear full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Fire-Fighting Procedures: Cool containers with water spray; molten material may flow or pool and re-ignite
Explosion Hazard: Fine dust from grinding or processing can form explosive mixtures with air; prevent dust accumulation in facility

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust or fumes; wear suitable gloves and protective clothing if handling hot or melted product
Emergency Procedures: Remove all ignition sources, ventilate area, restrict access to spill zone
Spill Cleanup Methods: Sweep or vacuum up material for recycling or disposal; for molten material, allow to cool and solidify before removal
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, water sources, or soil; report significant releases as required by regulations
Reference to Other Sections: See exposure controls and disposal considerations for further guidance

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid dust generation during processing; use mechanical ventilation during molding or extrusion; do not eat, drink, or smoke around product to prevent ingestion or contamination
Storage Temperature: Store below 60°C (140°F) in original containers; keep away from direct sunlight and strong oxidizers
Conditions to Avoid: High heat without ventilation, open flames, and exposure to strong chemicals
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, oxidizing agents, chlorinated solvents may degrade the product or react with additives
Safe Practices: Keep containers tightly closed when not in use; practice good industrial hygiene including handwashing after handling

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation in processing areas, especially where fumes or dust may build up
Exposure Limits: No OSHA PEL or ACGIH TLV established for TPV itself, but observe limits for nuisance dust and any processing aids with regulatory exposure levels
Personal Protection: Safety goggles for dust or fume protection, heat-resistant gloves when handling hot material, long sleeves and trousers in processing areas
Respiratory Protection: Respirator with particulate filter if dust or fumes exceed exposure guideline, or inadequate ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating or drinking; change contaminated clothing before leaving the workplace
Environmental Protection: Effective ventilation and dust control limit emissions to air

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Granules, pellets, or molded parts; black, white, or colored
Odor: Slight hydrocarbon odor, more pronounced when hot
pH: Not applicable (solid material)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Melting Point/Range: Softens between 160°C and 200°C
Flash Point: >350°C
Auto-ignition Temperature: Above 400°C, depends on composition
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes at temperatures above 300°C, releasing smoke and gases
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Density: 0.9–1.2 g/cm³
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Other Properties: Good elasticity, flexible at room temperature, no known corrosiveness

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable when stored in sealed containers at normal temperatures
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged exposure to high heat, direct sunlight, strong acids and oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Combustion produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, smoke, trace hydrocarbons
Polymerization: Will not occur under recommended handling conditions
Reactivity: Not reactive under normal use; avoid mixing with strong oxidizers or acids
Thermal Degradation: Releases hydrocarbons, soot, and possibly formaldehyde at high temperatures

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low; ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact with the solid product rarely causes problems
Chronic Toxicity: No known chronic health effects from exposure to TPV at ambient conditions
Irritation: May cause transient mechanical irritation to eyes or skin, especially with dust or during thermoplastic processing
Sensitization: No allergic effects reported for the main ingredients
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA for TPV as a mixture; pigment additives such as carbon black may have separate warnings but are encapsulated
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence of harm during normal handling
Mutagenicity: Not expected to present mutagenic risk
Processing Hazards: Overheating or burning causes fume inhalation risk; symptoms may include headache, nausea, breathing difficulty
Target Organ Effects: No specific organs targeted in healthy adults

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Slowly biodegrades in nature, persists in soil and water for long periods
Ecotoxicity: No acute toxic effects on aquatic organisms predicted from solid TPV; granular spills in water can present physical hazard to wildlife
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely for TPV material, but hydrophobic additives could concentrate over time
Persistence: Stable in normal environmental conditions, breakdown by UV light and microbial action is slow
Mobility in Soil: Sinks in water or floats; product does not dissolve; pieces may move with surface runoff
Other Effects: Burning generates polluting gases; avoid large-scale incineration except in approved facilities

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Recycle where possible; scrap TPV can often be reprocessed; landfilling as non-hazardous industrial waste if uncontaminated
Incineration: Only in facilities equipped to handle plastics and control emissions
Avoid: Release to the environment, open burning, disposal into watercourses
Container Disposal: Ensure all residues are scraped or melted out and containers are disposed in accordance with regulations

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for land, sea, or air transport
Proper Shipping Name: Thermoplastic Elastomer, Non-Hazardous
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous
Packaging Group: Not applicable for non-dangerous goods
Environmental Hazards: None specified; recommend secure packaging to prevent spillage of pellets or granules during transit
Special Precautions: Product should be shipped in clean, dry, closed containers to protect from contamination; keep away from foodstuffs

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not regulated as hazardous chemical in the United States for the basic polymer
TSCA Status: Components generally listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
REACH (EU): Raw materials and additives registered or exempt, SDS to accompany shipments in Europe
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Polymers listed or compliant under Canadian law
Other International Regulations: Check specific local, state, or provincial regulations
Label Requirements: None required for solid TPV under current US, EU, or Asia-Pacific rules, apart from general workplace safety signage
Hazard Communication: No hazard labeling for most commercial grades; user should always verify with the supplier’s latest data sheet