M A T E R I A L S A F E T Y D A T A S H E E T ARGON ================================================================================ SECTION I - Product Identification ================================================================================ PRODUCT NAME: ARGON COMPANY NAME: LIQUID AIR CORP. CHEMICAL FAMILY: RARE GAS DATE: OCTOBER 1,1985 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE: (415)977-6500 ================================================================================ SECTION II - Hazardous Components ================================================================================ NONE GIVEN ================================================================================ SECTION III - Physical Data ================================================================================ BOILING POINT: -302.55 F (-185.86 C) VAPOR PRESSURE: @ 70 F (21.1 C) ABOVE TEH CRITICAL TEMP. OF -188.12 F (-122.29 C) SOLUBILITY IN WATER: @ 68 F (20C) BUNSEN COEFFICIENT = .0340 LIQUID DENSITY AT BOILING POINT: 86.95 LB/FT3 (1392.8 KG/M3) GAS DENSITY AT 70 F 1 ATM: .1034 LB/FT3 (1.656 KG/M3) FREEZING POINT: -308.87 F (-189.37 C) APPEARANCE AND ODOR: COLORLESS, ODORLESS GAS SPECIFIC GRAVITY: @ 70 F (AIR=1.0) IS 1.38 ================================================================================ SECTION IV - Fire and Explosion Hazard Data ================================================================================ FLASH POINT : NONE GIVEN AUTO IGNITION TEMP.: NONE GIVEN FLAMMABLE LIMITS % BY VOLUME: NONE GIVEN EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: NONFLAMMABLE, INERT GAS ELECTRICAL CLASSIFICATION: NONHAZARDOUS ================================================================================ SECTION V - Health Hazard Data ================================================================================ EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO HIGH CONCENTRATIONS SO AS TO DISPLACE THE OXYGEN IN AIR NECESSARY FOR LIFE MAY INCLUDE ANY, ALL OR NONE OF THE FOLLOWING: O LOSS OF BALANCE OR DIZZINESS; O TIGHTNESS IN THE FRONTAL AREA OF THE FOREHEAD; O TINGLING OF THE TONGUE, FINGERTIPS OR TOES; O WEAKENED SPEECH LEADING TO THE INABILITY TO UTTER SOUNDS; O RAPID REDUCTION IN THE ABILITY TO PERFORM MOVEMENTS; O REDUCED CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE SURROUNDINGS; O LOSS OF TACTILE SENSATIONS; O HEIGHTENED MENTAL ACTIVITY. IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT NONE OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS MAY OCCUR IN NITROGEN ASPHYXIA SO THAT THERE ARE NO DEFINITE WARNING SYMPTOMS. EMERGENCY FIRST AID: PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION IS MANDATORY IN ALL CASES OF OVEREXPOSURE TO ARGON. RESCUE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS. INHALATION: CONSCIOUS PERSONS SHOULD BE ASSISTED TO AN UNCONTAMINATED AREA AND INHALE FRESH AIR. QUICK REMOVAL FROM THE CONTAMINATED AREA IS MOST IMPORTANT. UNCONSCIOUS PERSONS SHOULD BE MOVED TO AN UNCONTAMINATED AREA, GIVEN MOUTH-TO- MOUTH RESUSCITATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SOUGHT IMMEDIATELY. ================================================================================ SECTION VI - Reactivity Data ================================================================================ STABILITY: STABLE INCOMPATIBILITY: NONE GIVEN HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: NONE GIVEN HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: WILL NOT OCCUR ================================================================================ SECTION VII - Spill and Disposal Procedures ================================================================================ SPILLS: EVACUATE ALL PERSONNEL FROM AFFECTED AREA. USE APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. IF LEAK IS IN CONTAINER OR CONTAINER VALVE, CONTACT LIQUID AIR CORPORATION LOCATION. DISPOSAL: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISPOSE OF RESIDUAL OR UNUSED QUANTITIES. RETURN IN THE SHIPPING CONTAINER PROPERLY LABELED, WITH ANY VALVE OUTLET PLUGS OR CAPS SECURED AND VALVE PROTECTION CAP IN PLACE TO LIQUID AIR CORP. FOR PROPER DIS- POSAL. FOR EMERGENCY DISPOSAL, CONTACT THE CLOSEST LIQUID AIR CORP. LOCATION. ================================================================================ SECTION VIII - Protective Equipment ================================================================================ RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: POSITIVE PRESSURE AIR LINE WITH MASK OR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY USE. VENTILATION: TO PREVENT ACCUMULATION OF HIGH CONCENTRATIONS SO AS TO REDUCE THE OXYGEN LEVEL IN THE AIR TO LESS THAN 18 MOLAR PERCENT. PROTECTIVE GLOVES: ANY MATERIAL EYE PROTECTION: SAFETY GOGGLES OR GLASSES OTHER: SAFETY SHOES ================================================================================ SECTION IX - Storage and Handling Precautions ================================================================================ HANDLING: USE ONLY IN WELL-VENTILATED AREAS. VALVE PROTECTION CAPS MUST REMAIN IN PLACE UNLESS CONTAINER IS SECURED WITH VALVE OUTLET PIPED TO USE POINT. DO NOT DRAG, SLIDE OR ROLL CYLINDERS. USE A SUITABLE HAND TRUCK FOR CYLINDER MOVEMENT. USE A PRESSURE REDUCING REGULATOR WHEN CONNECTING CYLINDER TO LOWER PRESSURE (<3,000 PSIG) PIPING OR SYSTEMS. DO NOT HEAT CYLINDER BY ANY MEANS TO INCREASE THE DISCHARGE RATE OF PRODUCT FROM THE CYLINDER. USE A CHECK VALVE OR TRAP IN THE DISCHARGE LINE TO PREVENT HAZARDOUS BACK FLOW INTO THE CYLINDER. STORAGE: STORE IN COOL, DRY, WELL-VENTILATED AREA AWAY FROM HEAVILY TRAFFICKED AREAS AND EMERGENCY EXITS. DO NOT LET TEMP. EXCEED 130 F. STORE UPRIGHT. ================================================================================ SECTION X - Transportation Data and Additional Information ================================================================================ ARGON IS NONCORROSIVE AND MAY BE USED WITH ANY COMMON STRUCTURAL MATERIAL. ARGON IS NONTOXIC BUT THE LIBERATION OF A LARGE AMOUNT IN A CONFINED AREA COULD DISPLACE THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN IN AIR NECESSARY TO SUPPORT LIFE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (TM) and (R) : Registered Trademarks N/A = Not Applicable OR Not Available The information published in this Material Safety Data Sheet has been compiled from our experience and data presented in various technical publications. It is the user's responsibility to determine the suitability of this information for adoption of necessary safety precautions. We reserve the right to revise Material Safety Data Sheets periodically as new information becomes available. Copyright by Manufacturer LICENSE GRANTED TO MAKE UNLIMITED COPIES FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY by OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY .