MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

I. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Product type: Sub-arc flux Names: NiCr
Manufacturer: Metrode Products Ltd.
Address/tel no: Hanworth Lane, Chertsey, Surrey EN ISO 14174: S A FB 2
KT16 9LL, UK
Tel: +44(0)1932 566721
Fax: +44(0)1932 565168

II. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Materials in flux CAS No. Wt. % OSHA - PEL ACGIH – TLV STEL
(mg/m3) (mg/m3) (mg/m3)
* MgO 1309-48-4 20-30 15 10 -
Al2O3 1344-28-1 25-35 5 (respirable) 10 -
Fluorides, insoluble (as F) 7789-75-5 5-20 2.5 2.5 -
Mineral silicates 1332-58-7 <5 5 (dust) 5 (dust) -
Calcium oxide 1305-78-8 15-30 5 2 -
Quartz 14808-60-7 5-10 0.3 0.05 (respirable) -

* Subject to the reporting requirements of sections 311, 312, 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of
1986 and of 40CFR 370 and 372.
products of normal operation include those originating from
III. PHYSICAL DATA the volatilisation, reaction or oxidation of the ingredients,
As shipped, these welding consumables are non-explosive, non- plus those from the material being worked and the coatings
reactive and non-hazardous. Physical state is solid and odourless. etc. noted above.

IV. FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD Maximum fume exposure guideline and PEL is 5 mg/m3.
Flammable/explosive: NO The OHSA PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) is a ceiling
Under what conditions: Only the packaging for this product will value that shall not be exceeded at any time.
burn.
Extinguishing Media: This product will not burn. However, Keep exposure as low as possible. Indoors, use local
welding arcs and sparks can ignite combustible and flammable exhaust; outdoors, a respirator may be required. Gaseous
materials. Use the extinguishing media recommended for the reaction products may include carbon monoxide and carbon
burning materials and fire situation. See ANSI Z49.1 "Safety in dioxide. Ozone and nitrogen oxides may be formed by the
Welding and Cutting" and "Safe Practices" Code: SP, published by radiation from the arc.
the American Welding Society, P.O. Box 351040, Miami, FL 33135,
and NFPA 518 "Cutting and Welding Processes", published by the Reasonably expected decomposition products from normal
National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, use of these products include a complex of the oxides of the
MA 02269 for additional fire prevention and protection information. material listed in Section II, as well as carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides (refer to
V. REACTIVITY DATA "Characterisation of Arc Welding Fume" available from the
Stability: Stable American Welding Society). The only way to determine the
Incompatible products: None currently known. true identity of the decomposition products is by sampling
Hazardous decomposition products: Welding fumes and gases and analysis. The composition and quantity of the fumes
cannot be classified simply. The composition and quantity of both and gases to which a worker may be overexposed can be
are dependent upon the material being worked, the process, determined from a sample obtained from inside the welder's
procedures and consumables used. Other conditions which also helmet, if worn, or in the workers breathing zone. See
influence the composition and quantity of the fumes and gases to ANSI/AWS F1.1 "Method for Sampling Airborne Particle
which workers may be exposed include: coatings on the material Generated by Welding and Allied Processes" available from
being worked (such as paint, plating or galvanizing), the number of the American Welding Society.
welding operations and the volume of the work area, the quality and
amount of ventilation, the position of the worker's head with respect VI. PHYSICAL AND HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Electric arc working may create one or more of the
to the fume plume, as well as the presence of contaminants in the following health or physical hazards. Fumes and gases can
atmosphere (such as chlorinated hydrocarbon vapours from cleaning be dangerous to your health. Electric shock can kill you.
or painting activities). When the materials are consumed, the fume Arc rays can injure eyes and burn skin. Noise can damage
and gas decomposition products generated are different in percent hearing.
and form from the ingredients listed in Section II. Decomposition
Route of overexposure: The primary route of entry of the VII. PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND
decomposition products is by inhalation. Skin contact, eye contact, USE/APPLICABLE CONTROL MEASURES
and ingestion are possible. Absorption by skin contact is unlikely. Read and understand the manufacturer's instructions and the
When these products are used as recommended by Metrode Products precautionary label on this product. See American National
Ltd., and ventilation monitors exposure to the decomposition Standards Z-49.1 "Safety in Welding and Cutting" published
products below the limits recommended in this section, overexposure by the American Welding Society, P.O. Box 351040,
is unlikely. Miami, FL 33135 and OHSA Publication 2206 (29 C.F.R.
1910) U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
Effects of acute (short term) overexposure to the gases, fumes and 20402 for more detail on many of the following:
dusts may include irritation of the eyes, lungs, nose and throat.
Some toxic gases associated with welding may cause pulmonary Ventilation: Use enough ventilation, local exhaust at the
oedema, asphyxiation and death. Acute overexposure may include arc, or both to keep the fumes and gases below the TLV's in
signs and symptoms such as watery eyes, nose and throat irritation, the worker's breathing zone and the general area. Train the
headache, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, frequent coughing or welder to keep his head out of the fumes.
chest pain. The presence of chromium/chromate in fume can cause
irritation of nasal membranes and skin. The presence of nickel Respiratory protection: Use respirable fume respirator or air
compounds in fume can cause metallic taste, nausea, tightness of supplied respirator when welding in confined space of where
chest, fever and allergic reaction. local exhauster ventilation does not keep exposure below
TLV.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions Aggravated by Overexposure
Individuals with allergies or impaired respiratory function may have Eye Protection: Wear helmet or use face shield with filter
symptoms worsened by exposure to welding fumes. However, such lens. As a rule of thumb, start with a shade which is too
reaction cannot be predicted due to the variation in composition and dark to see the weld zone. Then go to the next light shade
quantity of the decomposition products. which gives sufficient view of the weld zone. Provide
protective screens and flash goggles, if necessary, to shield
Effects of Chronic (long term) overexposure to air contaminants may others.
lead to their accumulation in the lungs, a condition which may be
seen as dense areas on chest X-rays. The severity of the change is Protective Clothing: Wear head, hand and body protection
proportional to the length of exposure. The changes are not which help to prevent injury from radiation, sparks and
necessarily associated with symptoms or signs of reduced lung electrical shock. See ANSI Z-49.1. At a minimum, this
function or disease, in addition, the changes on X-rays may be includes welder's gloves and a protective face shield and
caused by non-work factors such as smoking etc. Nickel and may include arm protectors, aprons, hats, shoulder
chromium in some products are considered carcinogenic. Long term protection, as well as dark substantial clothing. Train the
exposure to nickel fumes may also cause pulmonary fibrosis and welder not to touch live electrical parts and to insulate
oedema. Overexposure to manganese compounds may affect the himself from work and ground.
central nervous system, symptoms of which are languor, sleepiness,
muscular weakness, emotional disturbances and spastic gait. Procedure for Clean-up of Spills or Leaks: NOT
APPLICABLE
Exposure Limits for the ingredients are listed in Section II. The
1989 OSHA TWA for welding fume is 5mg/m3. TLV-TWA's should Waste Disposal Method: Prevent waste from contaminating
be used as a guide in the control of health hazards and not as fine surrounding environment. Discard any product, residue,
lines between safe and excessive concentrations. When these disposable container, or liner in an environmentally
products are used as recommended by Metrode Products Ltd., and acceptable manner, in full compliance with Federal, State
the preventative measures taught in this MSDS are followed, and Local regulations.
overexposure to hazardous substances will not occur.
The opinions expressed in this MSDS are those of qualified
Emergency First Aid Measures: in case of emergency, call for experts within Metrode Products Ltd. We believe that the
medical aid. Employ first aid technique recommended by the Red information contained herein is current as of the date of this
Cross. IF BREATHING IS DIFFICULT, give oxygen and call for a MSDS. Since the use of this information and these opinions
physician. FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK, disconnect and turn off the and the conditions of use of these products are not within the
power. If not breathing, begin artificial respiration, preferably control of Metrode Products Ltd., it is the user's obligation
mouth-to-mouth. If no detectable pulse, begin Cardio Pulmonary to determine the conditions of safe use of these products.
Resuscitation (CPR), immediately call a physician. FOR ARC
BURN, apply cold, clean compresses and call a physician.
MSDS: F-35/X 09/12
Carcinogenic Assessment (NTP Annual Report, IARC Monographs,
Other) nickel and chromium must be considered possible
carcinogens under OSHA (29CFR1910, 1200). IARC has indicated
nickel, chromium and certain of their compounds are probably
carcinogenic for humans, but the compounds cannot be specified
precisely. Their conclusions were drawn from operations different
from welding. Regardless, exposure level must be kept below those
levels specified in Section II.