Product Identification

Note: The alumina contained in these products is a poly-crystalline sintered product and does not fall within the RCF regulations for vitreous Refractory Ceramic Fibre materials but it is suggested that it should be treated as if it fell within the Man-made mineral fibre restrictions.

Groups from Section 1

Emergency Overview
  – Handling or machining of these products may produce respirable dust particles.

  – Dust may irritate eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Inhalation:	Dust may cause irritation or soreness of throat and nose.
Eye Contact:	Dust may cause temporary irritation or inflammation.
Skin Contact:	May cause temporary dryness, irritation or rash.
Ingestion:	Ingestion is unlikely. May cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Never induce vomiting without the advice of a physician.
Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure:	Respiratory effects may be aggravated by smoking. Pre-existing respiratory problems may be aggravated by dust.

4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation:	Remove to fresh air. Rinse mouth to clear throat and expel liquid. Blow nose to evacuate dust. Consult a physician if irritation persists.
Eye Contact:	Do not rub eyes. Keep hands or contaminated body parts away from eyes. Remove contact lenses. Flush with water. If irritation persists, consult a physician.
Skin Contact:	Wash with soap and water. For dryness, a skin cream may be helpful. Do not apply anything to a rash. Consult a physician if irritation persists.
Ingestion:	Do not induce vomiting without advice of a physician. Seek medical attention.

Note to Physicians:

Aluminum Oxide dusts have caused no systemic or pathological problems. The material is inert in the body. Some individuals may experience allergic sensitivity reactions. These are generally limited to mild occupational dermatitis. Chronic inhalation may result in pleural plaques not associated with cancers. Other effects principally derived from physical abrasion. These products contain a small percentage of amorphous silica, however, not in sufficient quantity to produce free crystalline silica upon heating. Dusts are therefore considered of the inert (nuisance) type and would not be expected to cause permanent damage to tissues on inhalation unless the exposure is severe. Chronic exposure may produce radioplaque deposits in the pulmonary system with little or no parenchymal reactions. Some individuals may exhibit allergenic reactions ranging from asthmatic symptoms to benign pneumoconiosis.

5. Fire Fighting Measures   Materials are not combustible.

6. Accidental Release Measures

Spill Procedures:	Clean up procedures should minimize formation of airborne dusts. Remove dust by vacuuming using HEPA filtration where possible.
Release into Air:	Prevent release of airborne particulates where possible. Not a regulated hazardous substance. See section 8 for appropriate engineering controls.
Release into Water:	Release into water is not appropriate. Not a regulated hazardous substance. Landfill dusts and debris consistent with local regulations.

7. Handling and Storage

Storage:	These materials are stable and may be stored indefinitely. Physical abrasion may produce small amounts of respirable dusts.) See precautions under section 8.
Normal Use:	Materials are stable under normal use and are not expected to produce significant hazardous by-products or emissions.
Machining and Cutting:	These materials may produce respirable and nuisance dusts when machined or cut. See section 8 for exposure controls and personal protection during machining or installation procedures.
High Temperature Conditions:	Service significantly above the product design temperature may increase friability and the possibility of generating airborne particulates. X-ray analysis of materials fired in clean atmosphere over long time has shown mullite and corundum (alumina) as the only existing phases. While not considered problematic during use, airborne fibres may complicate removal activities. It is recommended that product use be carefully matched to design parameters.
After Service:	Product removal must consider the possibility of usage above design temperatures. See section 8 for appropriate respiratory protection during removal.
Before Service:	See B in Section 15 and MSDS Attachment 1.

8. Exposure Controls

Engineering Controls:	Use dust suppression controls. Local exhaust ventilation, point of generation dust collection, and/or down-draft work stations to minimize airborne dust generation are recommended when machining product.
Respiratory Protection:	Use appropriate protection pursuant to OSHA 29CFR 1910.134 and 29CFR 1926.103.
The following information is provided as a guide and reflects industry recommendations for control of dust.
PPE < 1.0 f/cc:	No specific recommendation, use personal protective equipment based on local conditions.
PPE 1.0 f/cc to 5.0 f/cc:	Half-face, air purifying respirator equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter cartridge.
PPE 5.0 to 25 f/cc:	Full-facepiece, air purifying respirator equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter cartridge.
PPE > 25 f/cc:	Full-facepiece, positive pressure, supplied air respirator.
PPE Other:	Work clothes should be washed separately and the washing machine rinsed following use. If possible, do not take work clothes home following machining or removal activities that produce significant amounts of dust.
Skin Protection:	Wear gloves, head coverings, and full body clothing to prevent skin irritation. Disposable clothing may be used. Store work clothes and street clothes separately.
Eye Protection:	Wear safety glasses or chemical goggles to prevent eye contact. Do not wear contact lenses without goggles. Do not get dust or liquids into eyes. Have eye washing facilities available when using products.

These products are generally not hazardous during normal use. These guidelines are provided for special circumstances involved in machining , use and or after service removals.

See section 7 for after service and section 13 for disposal recommendations.

9. Physical/Chemical Properties

Form	Appearance	Odour	Solubility in Water
All Groups	Fibrous materials in rigid shapes, White	Odourless	Insoluble

	S. G.	Melting Point °C	Vapor Pressure	Volatiles (wt %)	PH
Groups 1, 3 and 4	N/A	>1625	N/A	0	N/A
Group 2	N/A	>1625	N/A	3 -4	N/A

10. Stability and Reactivity

Stability:	Materials are stable.
Chemical Incompatibilities:	Powerful oxidizers; fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, manganese trioxide, oxygen difluoride, etc.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:	None.

11. Toxicology

Epidemiology:	N/A		Toxicology:	N/A

12. Ecological Information

Ecotoxicological Information:	No information available.
Distribution:	Aluminium oxide is naturally occurring and is widely distributed in igneous rock frequently as gem stones.
Chemical Fate Information:	The relative inertness of this material indicate that it may be highly persistent in the environment. No information regarding any negative effects of this persistence has been noted.

13. Disposal Information

Disposal:	Consult with local, state and federal regulations. In most cases these materials may be landfilled safely.
Hazardous Waste Classification:	Not subject to notification. Disposal regulations vary. Consult with all applicable regulations prior to disposal.

14. Transportation Information

Not regulated hazardous substances, no specific regulations apply.

15. Regulatory Information

Not regulated hazardous substances, no specific regulations apply.

Special Precautions:

A. After Service Information:

After normal use at elevated temperatures, alumina and silica will react to form non-hazardous mullite and alpha alumina. Removal of these products may generate respirable dust and airborne ceramic fibres.

B. Before Service Information:

Group 2: Organic binder will burn off during first heat up. Acrid smoke and irritating fumes may be released. Typical combustion products are carbon, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Appropriate exhaust and ventilation should be used.

Attachment 1

1. Decomposition by burning.

Hazardous gases:	CO, CO2, Small amounts of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

The levels of the above gases will vary with combustion conditions, oxygen level and heat.
In unventilated areas, proper respiratory protection should be used.

2. Decomposition by heat in a oxygen deficient atmosphere.

Hazardous gases released:	Acrylate monomer, Acrylonitril monomer.
Acrylates:	Detected by odour at approximately 90 ppb. The recommended exposure should be controlled at or below 5 ppm as an 8 hr. TWA. Skin contact (moist atmosphere) can produce skin irritation and prolonged or repeated contact may produce skin sensitization.
Acrylonitriles:	(CAS No 107-13-1) At the levels of latex used in some unfired boards there may be trace amounts released under extreme conditions. HSE EH40/99 work place exposure is 2 ppm (8 hr. TWA). If confined, limited air space and ventilation conditions exist, in-plant monitoring should be done to insure compliance.

16. Other

The information contained herein is based on data considered to be accurate for U.K application as of the preparation or revision date. No warranty or representation, express or implied is made as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Other national, state and/or local regulations may apply.

Manufacturers of these products will not disclose the precise amount of conversion of amorphous silica to mullite in the fired products nor will they disclose the ratio of fibre to binder as they are considered proprietary information.

For the purposes of control it is suggested that the entire alumina and mullite fraction be considered to be man-made mineral fibres.