ELECTRONIC SPACE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
1050 Benson Way, Ashland, OR 97520
Toll Free (800) 638-2581 * Fax (541) 488-8313
E-Mail: sales@espimetals.com
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
I PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Tantalum Metal
Trade Name: Ch em ical Fam ily:
Ta 7440-2 5-7
Form ula: CAS #:
II HAZAR DOUS INGRED IENTS
Hazardous Component % OSHA/PEL ACGIH/TLV Sec. 302 Sec. 304 Sec. 313
5 m g/m 3 5 m g/m 3
Tantalum 0-100 No No No
NFPA R atings: Hea lth: 1 Fire: 0 Reactivity: 0
III PHYSICAL DATA
5425 oC 2996 oC
Boiling Point: Melting Point:
0 @ 20 oC (mm/Hg)
N/A
Vapo r Density: Vapor Pressure:
N/A Insoluble
%V olatiles by Weight: Solubility in H 2O:
Gray to bluish, hard, malleable, ductile, no odor. 16.69 gm/cc
Appearance and Odor: Specific Gravity:
IV FIRE AND EXPLOSION H AZARDS DATA
Flash Point (Method used): N/A Autoignition Temperature: N/A
Flam mab le Limits: Upper: N/A Lower: <0.2 oz/ft3 (powd er)
Extingu ishing Media: To exting uish a me tal powd er fire u se dry sand , dry g raph ite or other class "D " fire ex tingu ishing pow der.
For fires involving bulk forms, use extinguishing media suitable for surrounding materials and type of fire.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Firefighters must wear full face, self-contained breathing apparatus with full protective clothing
to prevent contact with skin and eyes. Fumes from fire are hazardous. Isolate runoff to prevent environmental pollution.
Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazard: When heated, all forms of the metal (ingot, foil, powder) will react with water or steam to
produce flammable/explosive H 2 (hydrogen gas). Avoid creating fine dusts, because as a powder, this product is capable of creating a
dust explosion.
V HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Effects Of Exposure:
Acute E ffects:
Inhalation: No info rmation available on significant adverse effects.
Ingestion: Evidence suggests low toxicity potential due to poor absorption by the oral route.
Skin : May cause irritation.
Eye: May cause mild irritation.
Other: Has anticoagulant effect when given intravenously.
Chro nic Effects:
Inhalation: Repeated or prolonged exposure to tantalum alloys may have caused a mild fibrosis and chronic rhinitis in exposed
workers and may play a role in prod ucing 鈥渉ard metal pneum ocon iosis鈥? in wo rkers exp osed to tan talum a s well as other metals.
Ingestion: Animal studies indicate absorption may o ccur.
Skin : No data available.
Eye: No chronic effects are reported.
Target Organs: No significant target effects reported.
Carcino genicity: NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No
EMERG ENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
INHALATION: Breathing difficu lty cau sed b y inh alation of du st or fume requ ires rem ova l to fresh air. If bre athing has stopp ed,
perform artificial respiration and obtain medical assistance at once.
INGESTION: Swallowing metal powder or dust can be treated by having the affected person swallow large quantities of water and
attempting to induce vomiting if conscious. Obtain medical assistance at once.
SK IN: Skin cuts and abrasions can be treated by standard first aid. Skin contamination with dust or powder can be removed by
washing with soap and water. If irritation persists obtain medical assistance.
EYES: Dust or po wd er sho uld b e flush ed fro m th e eye s with copious amo unts o f clean water. If irritation persists o btain me dical
assistance. Contact lenses sho uld not be wo rn if wo rking w ith metal du st sand po wders.
VI REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Stable
Co nditio ns to Av oid: None reported
Incompatibility (Material to Avoid): Tantalum powders react violently with fluorine, chlorine and bromine trifluoride. Contact of
metallic dust with strong oxidizers m ay cause fire/explosion s.
Haz ardous D ecomposition Produc ts: Various elemental metals and oxides may be generated from melting or dross handling
operations.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
VII SPILL OR LEAK PROC EDURES
Steps to be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled: In solid form this m aterial poses n o spe cial clean-up problems. If this
material is in pow der or dust form, clean-up sho uld be cond ucted with a vacuu m system utilizing a high efficiency particulate air
filtration system. Caution should be taken To minimize airborne generation of powder or dust and avoid contamination of air and
water. Properly label all materials collected in waste container.
Waste Disposal Method: In accord ance w ith Loca l, State and Federal W aste Dispo sal Regu lations.
Environmental Hazards: In solid form this material poses no special environmental problems. Metal powders or dusts may have
significant impact on air and water quality. Airborne emissions, spills and releases to the environment (discharge to streams, sewer
system s, ground water, surface so il, etc) sho uld b e con trolled imm ediately. If suc h po tential fo r a spill or release exists it is ad visab le
to develop an emergency spill response plan.
VIII SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
Respiratory Protection (Specify Type): Use N IOS H approve d resp irators as specified by an indu strial hygienist or qu alified sa fety
profession al. Lung function tests are recom mended for users of negative pressure devices.
Ventilation: Local exhaust ventilation should be used to control exposure to airborne dust and fume wh enever possible.
Protective Gloves: We ar glo ves to prev ent m etal cuts and skin abrasio ns pa rticularly du ring handling of w rought fo rms, solid m etal,
sheet, strip or tube.
Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses when risk of eye injury is present particularly during machining, grinding, welding, powder
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handling, etc.
Other Protective Equipment: Protective clothing such as uniforms, disposable coveralls, safety shoes, etc may be required during
metal handling operations as appropriate to the circumstances of exposure.
IX SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Precautions to Be Taken in Handling and Storage: Store and handle in accordan ce with all current regulations an standards. Store
finely-divided material in original shipping container or in metal containers. Store finely-divided material away from oxidizers and
mineral acids.
Wo rk Practices: Implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain concentration of exposure. Use good
housekeeping and sanitation practices. Do not use tobacco or food in work area. Wash thoroughly before eating or smoking. Do not
blow dust off clothing or skin with compressed air. Maintain eyewash capable of sustained flushing, safety drench shower and
facilities for washing.
Toxic Substance Control Abstract (TSCA): Listed, EPA flag: XU
The abo ve inform ation is believ ed to be co rrect, but do es no t purp ort to b e all inclu sive an d sha ll be used only as a gu ide.
ESPI shall not be held liab le for any d am age resulting from h and ling o r from contact with the abov e pro duc t.
Issued by: S. Dierks
Date: October 2002
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