Material Safety Data Sheet for Tungsten Billet

Identification

Product Name: Tungsten Billet
Chemical Name: Tungsten
Synonyms: Tungsten Metal, Wolfram
CAS Number: 7440-33-7
Recommended Use: Industrial, manufacturing, high-density applications
Supplier: Manufacturer or distributor’s contact information, address, and emergency telephone
Emergency Phone Number: Chemtrec or equivalent line
Relevant Identified Uses: Fabrication of components, counterweights, ballast, radiation shielding, and more

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not classified as hazardous as a solid under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200
Label Elements: No pictogram required; precautionary statements apply mostly to dust or fume produced by grinding, melting, or thermal cutting
Hazard Statements: Chronic exposure to dust may irritate respiratory tract. Eye contact with dust can cause mild irritation. Ingestion or skin contact risk is low with solid billet.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhaling dust or fumes. Use proper ventilation if machining. Wear appropriate personal protection during processing.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Tungsten
CAS Number: 7440-33-7
Content: Approximately 99.9% Tungsten by weight
Impurities: Trace metals such as molybdenum, tantalum, or nickel, less than 0.1% combined

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air if exposed to dust or fumes. Seek medical attention for persistent coughing or difficulty breathing.
Eye Contact: Rinse with clean water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek medical care for redness or discomfort.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling dust. Seek medical advice for irritation or rash.
Ingestion: If dust is swallowed, rinse mouth. Seek medical attention for symptoms. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
Most Important Symptoms: Persistent cough, eye redness, skin irritation, particularly from chronic or repeated exposure to dust during manufacturing or finishing processes.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry powder or sand. Water spray may be used to cool surfaces, but splattering may occur if billet is hot.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Water jet, as wet powder may react with moisture; avoid CO2 on burning dust
Specific Hazards: Fine tungsten powder poses a slight combustion risk, but solid billets do not burn. Molten metal may react violently with water.
Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear full protective equipment and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
Firefighting Procedures: Move exposed containers from area if possible without risk. Use upwind positions to avoid fumes.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area if dust or fumes are present. Ventilate enclosed spaces well. Wear protective gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection if dust levels are elevated.
Methods for Cleaning Up: For spills involving billet, pick up mechanically. For machining debris or dust, use vacuuming with HEPA filtration. Avoid sweeping or methods that create dust clouds.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent dust from entering drains or watercourses. Minimize airborne particles to reduce exposure.
Reference to Other Sections: Refer to Section on Disposal Considerations for waste handling.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle billets with gloves or protective equipment if sharp edges are present or machining is involved. Avoid generation of dust. Use local exhaust ventilation during cutting, grinding, or welding.
Storage Conditions: Store billets in a dry, ventilated location, away from oxidizers or combustible materials. Keep containers tightly closed to limit dust dispersion.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, and oxidizing agents may attack surface or react exothermically with fine tungsten powder.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling. Do not eat, drink, or smoke where tungsten billets are handled or processed.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for Tungsten (insoluble compounds, as W): 5 mg/m³ TWA (respirable fraction), 10 mg/m³ STEL (total dust). NIOSH REL: 5 mg/m³ TWA, 10 mg/m³ STEL.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation at points of dust generation. Maintain general room ventilation. Employ closed processes wherever possible.
Personal Protection: Wear safety glasses or goggles when machining. Use cut-resistant gloves for sharp objects. Wear suitable respirators (P100 or equivalent) if dust exceeds occupational limits.
Environmental Exposure Controls: Implement containment measures to limit airborne release and prevent migration to drains or sewers.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Gray to silver metallic solid, dense billet or rod
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: 3422°C (6192°F)
Boiling Point: 5555°C (10031°F)
Flash Point: Not flammable as solid billet
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Non-flammable as billet; flammable as fine powder
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Relative Density: 19.3 g/cm³
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Decomposition Temperature: Not determined
Viscosity: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal ambient and anticipated storage and handling conditions
Possible Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with strong acids (e.g., nitric or hydrofluoric acid) and oxidizers, especially at high temperatures or in powdered form
Conditions to Avoid: Extreme heat, open flames, and formation of dust. Avoid moisture if storing fine powder.
Incompatible Materials: Halogens, oxidizers, strong acids, and molten alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Tungsten oxides may form under fire conditions or high-temperature oxidation

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, eye and skin contact with dust or fume
Acute Toxicity: Not acutely toxic as solid; dust can irritate upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin.
Skin Corrosion/Infection: Not known to cause skin corrosion. May cause mild mechanical irritation.
Eye Damage/Irritation: Dust may cause discomfort or redness.
Sensitization: No evidence of skin sensitization from tungsten metal.
Chronic Toxicity: Chronic inhalation of dust may cause lung changes or fibrosis with long-term exposure. Limited human evidence.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.
Reproductive Toxicity: No conclusive evidence indicating mutagenic, teratogenic, or reproductive hazards.
Other Effects: No systemic toxicity from solid billets. Potential risk exists primarily for those involved in processing that generates airborne particles.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Low toxicity for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Large pieces present minimal risk. Fine powders or dust may cause localized issues for sediment-dwelling species in water bodies.
Persistence and Biodegradability: Tungsten is not biodegradable. Persist as an insoluble metal in environment.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Bioaccumulation in organisms unlikely, based on at least current environmental monitoring and scientific data.
Mobility in Soil: Metallic tungsten has low mobility. Dust may be more transportable by wind or water, but settles rapidly.
Other Adverse Effects: Not classified as hazardous to the environment, but good practice restricts unnecessary release, especially in fine forms.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of tungsten billets and waste in accordance with local, national, and international regulations. Scraps can often be recycled.
Disposal of Dust or Machining Waste: Collect and send for recycling wherever possible. If not recycled, landfill disposal must follow hazardous waste protocols if dust is contaminated.
Contaminated Packaging: Packaging that cannot be cleaned should be disposed of as solid waste, following all disposal guidelines.
Special Precautions: Avoid disposal routes that pollute water or air. Do not incinerate tungsten metal.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material for road, rail, sea, or air transportation
UN Proper Shipping Name: Tungsten Metal or Articles
Transport Hazard Class: Not assigned
Packing Group: Not assigned
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions for User: Handle and secure billets to prevent injury or contamination during transport
Bulk Transport: No additional requirements for solid billets; follow general transport safety practices

Regulatory Information

U.S. Regulations: TSCA-listed, not subject to reporting under SARA Title III Sections 311/312. OSHA hazardous under dust-generating conditions. California Proposition 65: No.
Canada: WHMIS exempt for manufactured articles; workplace hazard communication applies if dust generated
EU Regulations: REACH registered as a substance; CLP classification does not list tungsten metal as hazardous
Other National/International Regulations: Tungsten metal can fall under workplace safety and environmental rules where processed. Call attention to dust exposure at point of processing.
Labeling Requirements: Safety data sheet must be available to workers involved in fabrication or processing. Provide training and warnings for dusty conditions.