MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
IUPITAL* ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
COMPANY DETAILS
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Company Name: MARPLEX AUSTRALIA PTY LTD A.B.N. 78 004 691 614
Address: 221-229 BROWNS ROAD, NOBLE PARK, VIC 3174, AUSTRALIA
Telephone Number: (03) 8710 1400
Emergency Telephone Number: (03) 8710 1400
Fax Number: (03) 9795 2111
IDENTIFICATION
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Product Name: IUPITAL ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
A number of acetal copolymer pellets are available from MARPLEX AUSTRALIA PTY LTD under the trade
name IUPITAL. This trade name covers a variety of grades which call for substantially different process
temperatures and procedures. It is imperative that the processor know which specific grade of IUPITAL is
being processed. IUPITAL acetal copolymer is a high molecular weight polymeric material which is not
expected to be chemically reactive under recommended conditions of use.
Other Names: Polyoxymethylene polymer
Manufacturing Product Code: IUPITAL
Hazardous Substance
(Worksafe Australia Criteria): No
ADG Code Classification
UN No. None allocated
Correct Shipping Name: None allocated
Dangerous Goods Class: None allocated
Subsidiary Risk: None allocated
Packaging Group: None allocated
Hazchem Code: None allocated
Emergency Procedure Guide: None allocated
Poisons Schedule Number: None allocated
Australian Inventory of
Chemical Substances: All components are listed or meet NICNAS requirements.
Use: Manufacture of thermoplastic articles by injection moulding,
extrusion and blow moulding.
Date of Issue: JUL 02, Rev. 05, Reason For Revision: ADDRESS UPDATED.
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
IUPITAL* ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION/PROPERTIES
Appearance: Small solid pellet either white (natural) or pigmented, with slight
odour.
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Melting Point: Not applicable (see "Softening Point")
Vapour Pressure: Less than 0.001 mm Hg @ 20 Deg.C
Specific Gravity: 1.40-1.80 @ 25 deg.C (H2O=1)
Flash Point: Not applicable
Flammability Limits: Not applicable
Solubility in Water: Less than 0.001% wt.
OTHER PROPERTIES
Solubility in Organic Solvents: Soluble in chloroform, methyl ethyl ketone; not soluble in alcohols.
Softening Point: 162 deg.C Method: ASTM 1525
Flash Ignition Temperature: 349 deg.C Method: ASTM-1929(B)
Auto Ignition Temperature: 508 deg.C Method: ASTM-1929(B)
Percent Volatiles: Less than 1
INGREDIENTS
Chemical Name CAS No. Proportion, % wt.
Polyoxymethylene polymer 9002-81-7 70-99
Glass fibres (x) 65997-17-3 10-30
Additives (pigments, polymer additives
metallic soaps, waxes, antioxidants) Not available 1-30
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 0.05 max.
x Component of glass reinforced grades only.
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
HEALTH EFFECTS
Acute-Swallowed:
Swallowing of the pellets does not present any known health hazard.
Date of Issue: JUL 02, Rev. 05, Reason For Revision: ADDRESS UPDATED.
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
IUPITAL* ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
Acute-Eye:
Eye contact with the pellets does not present any extraordinary hazard except for the possibility of abrasive
injury. Fines, if any, may be irritating to the eye.
Acute-Skin:
Pellets present no known health hazard. Handling of glass filled grades may cause irritation to exposed skin.
Acute-Inhalation:
The pellets do not present an inhalation hazard. Fines may cause irritation the nose and throat.
Residual formaldehyde vapour may be evolved in low concentration during opening of containers.
Vapours and fumes produced during melt processing of these plastics may produce effects in some
individuals especially irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and in cases of severe over-exposure, nausea
and headache.
Chronic:
No data available on the product (see "Other Health Effects Information").
Other Health Effects Information:
IUPITAL acetal copolymers may contain low levels of other copolymers, colour additives, glass fibres and
performance additives. Under normal conditions of use these additives are contained within the polymer
matrix and occupational exposure to these materials are not anticipated.
IUPITAL acetal copolymer compound grades may contain a trace quantity
(0.05% wt. max.) residual formaldehyde. Formaldehyde as a component of processing fumes is the most
probable route of occupational exposure. Formaldehyde is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract and
may produce an allergic response (allergic contact dermatitis and occasionally, asthma) in sensitised
individuals. Formaldehyde has been found to cause cancer in rats in long term studies by inhalation at
concentrations which would not be voluntarily tolerated by humans. Increased incidences of various types of
cancers have been reported in studies on workers potentially exposed to formaldehyde, but the data is
conflicting and not considered conclusive evidence of a link between formaldehyde and cancer in humans.
Formaldehyde has been classified as a Category 2 Carcinogen (Probable Human Carcinogen) by Worksafe
Australia.
FIRST AID
Swallowed:
Not probable. No special treatment should be required.
Eye:
Date of Issue: JUL 02, Rev. 05, Reason For Revision: ADDRESS UPDATED.
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
IUPITAL* ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
Flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
Skin:
Molten plastic causes severe thermal burns. Cool rapidly with water and seek medical attention. Do not pull
off the skin.
Inhaled:
If fumes are inhaled, remove person to fresh air. If breathing difficult get medical attention.
First Aid Facilities:
Provide eye baths and safety showers close to areas where there is significant
potential for eye and skin contact.
ADVICE TO DOCTOR
Treat symptomatically.
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PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
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EXPOSURE STANDARDS
Worksafe Australia have not established any exposure standard for this product.
However, they have established the following exposure standard for "dusts not otherwise classified":
Inspirable dust 8 hr. TWA: 10 mg/M3
Component: Formaldehyde 8 hr. TWA: 1 ppm
STEL (15 mins.): 2 ppm
Formaldehyde is classified as a sensitiser and a Category 2 Carcinogen (Probable Human Carcinogen) by
Worksafe.
Keep exposures as low as practicable below exposure standards.
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Provide mechanical ventilation to control exposure levels below airborne exposure standards and to prevent
operator discomfort. In general, ventilation should be provided at compounding and converting areas and at
fabricating work stations which involve heating the plastic. Good ventilation is required in areas where
Date of Issue: JUL 02, Rev. 05, Reason For Revision: ADDRESS UPDATED.
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
IUPITAL* ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
containers are opened. Local exhaust hoods may be used over die-head of extrusion equipment, or in the
vicinity of thermoforming and moulding machines, where practicable.
PERSONAL PROTECTION
Respiratory Protection:
Avoid breathing dust, processing fumes and/or vapours. Use approved respiratory protection equipment in
accordance with AS1715 when airborne exposure standards are exceeded or operator discomfort is
experienced.
Eye:
The product does not present significant eye irritation or eye toxicity requiring special protection, except as
noted in "Other Precautions". Safety glasses with side shields are recommended to avoid eye contact.
Skin Protection:
The product presents no significant skin concern requiring special protection, except as noted in "Other
Precautions".
Other Precautions:
The greatest potential for injury occurs when working with the molten material such as during purging of the
moulding machine, extruder and the like. During this type of operation it is essential that all workers in the
immediate area wear eye and skin protection (eg. full face shield and safety glasses, heat resistant gloves,
overalls and safety boots) as protection from thermal burns.
Heating and processing the product above the listed temperatures should be avoided. Overheating the
plastic may occur due to excessively-high cylinder heats, overworking of the melt by wrong screw
configuration, or by long dwell time in the machine. Under such conditions. Under such conditions acetal
copolymer decomposes to formaldehyde gas.
IF INJECTION MOULDING OF ACETAL IS INTERRUPTED FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES
PURGE OUT BARREL WITH POLYETHYLENE OR POLYSTYRENE AND REDUCE TEMPERATURES TO
BELOW 150 DEG.C TO AVOID DEGRADATION AND THE GENERATION OF FORMALDEHYDE GAS AND
A DANGEROUS HIGH PRESSURE CONDITION.
NEVER MOULD ACETAL WITHOUT A NOZZLE HEATING ELEMENT.
ACETAL IS INCOMPATABLE WITH STRONG ACIDS AND OXIDISING AGENTS. DO NOT MIX OR BLEND
WITH PVC (TO AVOID ACID FORMATION).
FLAMMABILITY
Dust generated during handling and/or storage can form explosive mixtures with air.
Date of Issue: JUL 02, Rev. 05, Reason For Revision: ADDRESS UPDATED.
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
IUPITAL* ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION
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STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
Not classified as a Dangerous Good (see "Identification" section). Store in a cool dry area.
SPILLS AND DISPOSAL
Spillages on hard surfaces present a slip hazard. Sweep or vacuum up promptly.
Pellets may cause sewer and waterways obstruction; fish may eat pellets and obstruct their digestive tracts.
Stop leak, contain spill and prevent exit to sewer and waterways. Remove sources of ignition. Collect
material in containers.
Recycle, incinerate or landfill as per local, state and federal regulations.
Certain heavy-metal salts, present as coloured pigments and based upon cadmium, chromium, copper or
lead metals, may be present in some coloured grades. Those ingredients are essentially mixed into the
plastic and are unlikely to contribute to pollution of soils and water.
FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARDS
Extinguishing Media:
Water spray, foam, carbon dioxide and dry chemical.
Special Firefighting Procedures:
The product is a combustible thermoplastic material which will melt and drip when ignited and give off
combustion products which are toxic (see "Hazardous Decomposition Products" sections). Firefighters and
others who may be exposed to products of combustion should wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
Equipment should be thoroughly decontaminated after use.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards:
Dust generated during handling and/or storage may form explosive mixtures in air.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
There are no significant decomposition products occurring in the product below about 240 deg.C.
Decomposition products at greater than about 240 deg.C may include hydrocarbons and formaldehyde.
Fire gives off carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde and dense black smoke.
Date of Issue: JUL 02, Rev. 05, Reason For Revision: ADDRESS UPDATED.
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
IUPITAL* ACETAL COPOLYMER COMPOUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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WARNING STATEMENTS
HANDLE PELLETS/POWDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOOD INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND SAFETY
PRACTICES. THESE PRACTICES INCLUDE AVOIDING UNNECESSARY EXPOSURE AND REMOVAL OF
THE MATERIAL FROM THE EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING.
CAUTION!
PROCESSING RELEASES VAPOURS OR FUMES WHICH MAY CAUSE EYE, SKIN AND RESPIRATORY
TRACT IRRITATION.
MOLTEN MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THERMAL BURNS.
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CONTACT POINT
Contact Person: K.W.MacDonald
Title/Position: Technology Director
Telephone: (03) 8710 1400
Fax Number: (03) 9795 1700
* IUPITAL - Registered trademark of Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Inc. Japan
Marplex Company Australia Pty Ltd makes no representation with regard to the completeness or accuracy of
the information contained in this data sheet, and it accepts no responsibility for loss or damage whatsoever
resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the information and any recommendations herein. Marplex
Company Australia Pty Ltd's products are sold on standard terms and conditions a copy of which is available
on request.
Date of Issue: JUL 02, Rev. 05, Reason For Revision: ADDRESS UPDATED.
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