Product Identification

2. Composition / Information on Ingredients

Groups from Section 1

Explanation

These products are refractory ceramic fibres bonded with starch and amorphous silica.
Some grades (those for use up to 1600°C) may be enriched with alumina.
Refractory ceramic fibre is classified as Carc Cat 2:R49 Xi: R38 in CHIP Regulations 1998.
Textiles may have strengthening threads of glass fibre, Ni-chrome or stainless steel wire.

EXPOSURE GUIDELINES:

UK limits (EH40/99)	Long term (8h TWA)	Short term (15min ref period)
Refractory Ceramic Fibre	5 mg/m3 & 2 fibres/ml	-
Alumina	10 mg/m3 total, 4 mg/m3respirable	-
Starch	10mg/m3 total, 4 mg/m3 respirable	-
Silica (amorphous)	6 mg/m3 total, 2.4 mg/m3respirable	-

3. Hazard Identification

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.

Chronic health effects: Based on animal studies, excessive exposure to refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) dust before and after service may cause lung damage (fibrosis) and tumours. IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) has classified RCF as "Possibly carcinogenic to humans" (2B) and crystalline silica as "Probably carcinogenic to humans" (2A) (See also § 16).

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.

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. These products are regulated hazardous substances. Landfill dusts and debris consistent with local regulations. See Section 8 for engineering controls.

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 the presence of cristobalite in small amounts. While not considered problematic during use, airborne fibres and dust 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.

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.

Workers shall be informed on:	applications involving fibre containing products potential risks to health resulting from exposure to fibrous dust requirements regarding smoking, eating and drinking at the workplace requirements for protective equipment and clothing.
Workers shall be trained on:	good working practices to eliminate dust release proper use of protective equipment.

See section 7 for after service and section 13 for disposal recommendations.
See separate Code of Practice of the European Ceramic Fibres Industry Association (ECFIA).

9. Physical/Chemical Properties

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

	S. G.	Melting Point °C	Vapor Pressure	Volatiles (wt %)	PH
Group 1	2.9	>1300	N/A	0	N/A
Other Groups	2.9	>1300	N/A	3 - 4	N/A
All Groups	Length weighted geometric mean fibre diameter 2.3 - 3 µm

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 and silica are naturally occurring and are widely distributed in igneous rock. Secondary deposits in sedimentary rock may be found.
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 Europe must be treated as hazardous waste.
Hazardous Waste Classification:	Check local regulations. RCF waste is classed as "special waste" in U.K. 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

According to Directive 97/69/EC these fibres are classified as Refractory Ceramic Fibres, Man-made, vitreous (silicate) fibres with random orientation with alkaline oxide and alkaline earth oxide (Na₂O+K₂O+CaO+MgO+BaO) content less than or equal to 18% by weight. Classification is Carc Cat 2: R49 Xi: R38.

Worker protection is required in accordance with the national implementation of the following directives:
  – Council Directive 80/1107/EEC as amended by Direcitve 88/642/EEC;
  – Council Directive 89/391/EEC;
  – Council Directive 90/394/EEC;
  – Council Directive 981/24/EEC

Special Precautions:

A. After Service Information:

Continuous use of these products at temperatures above 900° C, may, as with many other refractories, leads to the formation of cristobalite (a type of crystalline silica). Prolonged/repeated inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust may cause delayed lung injury (silicosis) Although research to date on after-service RCF have shown that it poses no greater health hazard than unused ceramic fibre, the appropriate hygiene standards for cristobalite must be followed. Cristobalite has a maximum exposure limit of 0.4mg/m3 which should not be exceeded. Training in the safe handling of RCF products is important. For further advice please refer to ECFIA Bulletins and Codes of Practice.

B. Before Service Information:

Organic binder may 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.

16. Other

The following references may be useful:

UNITED KINGDOM

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993 (CHIP). Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH). HSE EH 40 - Occupational Exposure Limits - latest issue HSE EH 46 - Man Made Mineral Fibre guidance note HSE EH 59 - Crystalline silica guidance note MDHS 14 - General methods for the gravimetric determination of respirable and total inhalable dust.
MDHS 59 - Man Made Mineral Fibre. Airborne number concentration by phase contrast light microscopy.

GERMANY

Verordnung uber gefahrliche Stoffe ; Gefahrstoffverordnung.
Deutsche Forstchungsgemeinschaft : Maximale Arbeitsplatzkonzentrationen und biologische Arbeitsstofftoleranzwerte.
Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften : ZH 1/120.31

FRANCE

Arrete du 10 Octobre 1983 fixant la liste et les conditions d'etiquetage et d'emballage des substances dangereuses. Circulaire du 19 Juillet 1982 relative aux valeurs admises pour les concentrations de certaines substances dangereuses dans l'atmosphere des lieux de travail Norme AFNOR X43-269 Decembre 1991 - Determination de la concentration en nombre de fibres par microscopie optique en contraste de phases - Methode du filtre a membrane. Decret 50-1289 portant reglement d'administration publique en ce qui concerne les mesures particulieres de prevention medicale de la silicose professionnelle.

The information contained herein is based on data considered to be accurate for U.K application as of the preparation or revision date. It is provided in good faith and in compliance with state and federal regulations. 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.