Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - Vanadium Carbide

Identification

Product Name: Vanadium Carbide
Chemical Formula: VC
CAS Number: 12070-10-9
Use: Abrasives, coatings, cutting tools, hardfacing applications
Manufacturer: Advanced Materials Supplier
Contact Information: Hazard Communication Officer, Emergency Telephone: 24-hour medical and transportation emergencies, available through company website
Synonyms: Vanadium monocarbide

Hazard Identification

Classification: Potentially hazardous by inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion. May cause irritation to eyes, respiratory tract, or skin.
Label Elements: Signal word: Warning. Hazard pictogram: Exclamation mark.
Hazard Statements: May cause respiratory, eye, and skin irritation. Prolonged or repeated exposure could impair lung function.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust. Wear protective gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation may result in coughing, shortness of breath; eye contact may cause redness and watering; skin contact may trigger dryness or cracking.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Vanadium Carbide
CAS Number: 12070-10-9
Concentration: 98–100%
Impurities: Trace levels of other vanadium compounds, residual carbon

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen. Remove any source of exposure.
Skin Contact: Rinse with plenty of soap and water, gently removing any contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing; medical advice warranted if irritation continues.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Contact medical personnel promptly.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO2, sand, or foam. Do not use water streams directly on material.
Special Hazards: Powder may react with strong oxidizing agents. Metallic vanadium fumes might develop at high temperatures.
Firefighter Protection: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear, as inhalation of combustion products can harm health.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, use appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhaling dust or skin contact.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent powder from entering drains, waterways, or soil. Contain spill to avoid environmental contamination.
Cleanup Methods: Gather material mechanically; avoid dust generation. Store waste in sealed, labeled containers for safe disposal.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Keep away from incompatible substances, notably oxidizing agents.
Storage: Store in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated space in firmly closed containers. Separate from foodstuffs, acids, and oxidizers. Always keep containers clearly labeled.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for vanadium compounds (as V) in workplace air: 0.05 mg/m³ (respirable fraction). ACGIH TLV: 0.05 mg/m³.
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, process enclosures, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended limits.
Personal Protection: Respiratory protection if ventilation inadequate. Wear impervious gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Eyewash stations and emergency showers should be accessible.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Grey to black crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 2810°C
Boiling Point: 3900°C
Density: 5.77 g/cm³
Solubility: Insoluble in water
pH: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Flash Point: Not applicable
Explosive Properties: Not explosive
Oxidizing Properties: No oxidizing properties identified under normal use conditions

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal handling and storage conditions. Moisture and air do not significantly degrade product integrity.
Reactivity: Stable in dry, indoor settings.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizers—contact can cause hazardous reactions.
Decomposition Products: Vanadium oxides, carbon oxides can form if product is heated above decomposition temperatures or exposed to certain chemicals.

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eyes, ingestion
Acute Effects: Inhalation can irritate the respiratory tract. Can provoke dermatitis or conjunctivitis following contact.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause lung function impairment. IARC lists some vanadium compounds as possible human carcinogens.
Symptoms: Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, eye redness, skin rash
Sensitization: No data suggesting skin or respiratory sensitization
LD50/LC50: No precise toxicological value determined for vanadium carbide, though vanadium compounds in general have relatively low oral toxicity to rodents.

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Persistent in soil and sediments due to poor solubility.
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility because product is practically insoluble in water.
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms at significant concentrations. Accumulation possible in aquatic environments.
Bioaccumulation: Metal carbides can accumulate, potentially impacting local ecology.
Ecotoxicity data: Limited published data for vanadium carbide; vanadium ions can harm aquatic life.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Collect waste in sealed, properly labeled containers. Disposal should follow local, regional, and national regulations for hazardous inorganic metal compounds.
Container Handling: Rinse containers thoroughly, then offer for recycling or disposal as hazardous waste.
Avoid release: Do not allow waste to enter drains, watercourses, or natural environments.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not applicable unless mixed with hazardous substances
DOT Classification: Not regulated for transport as a dangerous good in pure form
Proper Shipping Name: Vanadium carbide
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions: Prevent container breakage and spillage during handling and shipping. Transport in compliance with national regulations.

Regulatory Information

US Federal Regulations: Listed as a hazardous substance on the EPA TSCA Inventory. OSHA regulates workplace exposures to vanadium compounds.
State Regulations: Some states may have additional regulations concerning vanadium compounds. California Proposition 65 does not list vanadium carbide as a chemical known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
European Union: REACH-registered substance, subject to specific workplace and environmental limits under EU directives.
International: Included in the Canada DSL/NDSL, Australian AICS, and other inventories. Worker protection laws apply globally.