MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

I.   PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Manufacturer/Supplier:

ESPI Metals

1050 Benson Way, Ashland, OR 97520

Toll Free (800) 638-2581 * Fax (541) 488-8313

E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Product Name:     Titanium 6Al/4V

II.   HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

Hazardous Component:   Titanium          Aluminum                Vanadium

CAS Number:                   7440-32-6        7429-90-5                7440-62-2

Percent (%):                   Balance            5.5-6.75                  3.5-4.5

OSHA/PEL:                      N/E                   N/E                         0.1 mg/m³ (fume)

ACGIH/TLV:                     N/E                  10 mg/m³ (dust)      0.05 mg/m³ (fume)

III.   PHYSICAL DATA

Boiling Point:                     N/E                                                                        

Melting Point:                   1538 - 1649 ^oC

Specific Gravity:               4-5 g/cc

Solubility in H₂O:              Insoluble

Appearance and Odor:     Silver-grey metal, no odor.

IV.   FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS DATA

Flash Point:  N/A

Autoignition Temperature:  250 ^oC for powder in air.

Flammability Limits:  Lower:  N/A  Upper:  N/A

Extinguishing Media:  In solid form this alloy is non-combustible.  If the user performs operations such as grinding, polishing, or machining operations that could possibly generate finely divided powders, small chips, turnings, etc. the resulting materials can be easily ignited with a spark or flame.  If ignited, use a CLASS D fire extinguisher, dry sand, dry graphite, or inert gas to smother the fire.  DO NOT USE WATER!  DO NOT USE CO₂ EXTINGUISHERS!  These extinguishing agents may cause an explosion.  For small fires, where practical, allow to burn out.

Special Firefighting Procedures:  Firefighters must wear full face, self-contained breathing apparatus with full protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and eyes.

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards:  No unusual fire or explosion hazards are associated with the solid wrought product forms of titanium alloys. However, most finely divided forms (i.e., waste products such as grindings, machining chips and powders) of titanium alloys are flammable in air.  Flammability is dependent upon particle size and surface area.  Coarse particles (greater than 100 µm) show no tendency to ignite.

V.   HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

Effects of Exposure:

In solid form, this titanium alloy is physiologically inert and is considered relatively non-toxic.  However, user generated dusts may on contact with the skin or eyes produce mechanical irritation.  Inhalation of titanium could cause mild irritation to the respiratory tract.  Inhalation of titanium dioxide dust or fume could produce lung fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.  Chronic exposures could cause dermatitis (skin) or conjunctivitis (eyes).  Excessive inhalation of user generated fumes from high temperature cutting or welding of titanium alloys may, depending on the specific features of the process used, pose a long term health hazard.  The ingredients of fumes and gasses generated in user welding, grinding and high temperature cutting operations will depend on the base metal, electrodes, shielding gases, and specific process being used.

Acute Effects:

Inhalation:  Dust or powder may cause irritation to the upper respiratory tract.  Vanadium compounds may cause bleeding and acute bronchitis.  May cause vanadium toxicity.

Ingestion:  Relatively non-toxic, poorly absorbed from the alimentary tract.

Skin:  Dust or powder may cause irritation. 

Eyes:  Dust or powder may cause abrasive irritation.  Eye contact with aluminum particles may cause corneal necrosis.

Chronic Effects:

Inhalation:  Inhalation of finely divided aluminum powder has been reported as a cause of pulmonary fibrosis.  Aluminum in aerosols has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.  Vanadium compounds may cause pneumonia and other pathologic symptoms (chronic symptoms of vanadium toxicity.)

Ingestion:  No chronic health effects recorded.

Skin:  May cause dermatitis.

Eyes:  May cause conjunctivitis.

Carcinogenicity:  NTP:  No      IARC:  No    OSHA:  No

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:

INHALATION:  Remove victim to fresh air, keep warm and quiet, give oxygen if breathing is difficult and seek medical attention.

INGESTION: Give 1-2 glasses of milk or water, induce vomiting, seek medical attention.  Never induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 

SKIN:  Brush material off skin, wash affected area with mild soap and water.  Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

EYE:  Flush particles from the eyeballs with clean water for at least 15 minutes.  If irritation persists, seek medical help.  DO NOT wear contact lenses when working with metallic dusts or powders.

VI.   REACTIVITY DATA

Stability:  Stable

Conditions to Avoid:  Avoid creating finely divided, concentrated airborne particulates in the presence of ignition sources. 

Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid):  Mineral acids, oxidizing agents, red fuming nitric acid.  May react and burn in pure carbon dioxide and nitrogen atmospheres.

Hazardous Decomposition Products:  Metal oxide fume, hydrogen

Hazardous Polymerization:  Will not occur

VII.   SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES

Steps to Be Taken in Case Material Is Released or Spilled:  Wear appropriate respiratory and protective equipment specified in section VIII.  Finely divided particulate:  Remove all sources of ignition.  Isolate spill area and provide ventilation.  Vacuum up spill using a HEPA filter.  Take care not to raise dust.  Do not used compressed air to clean up spills.  Larger pieces can be picked up mechanically.

Waste Disposal Method:  In accordance with Local, State and Federal waste disposal regulations.

VIII.   SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION

Respiratory Protection:  When engineering controls cannot maintain exposure below permissible limits during welding, brazing, machining, and other processes which may generate airborne contaminants use an appropriate NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator.

Ventilation:  Local and/or general exhaust ventilation should be used to keep worker exposure below exposure limits.

Protective Gloves:  Wear gloves 

Eye Protection:  Safety glasses or goggles

Other Protective Clothing or 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:  If ignitable waste is generated, special precautions and firefighting procedures should be followed:

Keep work areas free of the waste. 

Store wet and keep away from heat and open flame - maintain humidity above 50% to prevent an electrostatic build-up.

No smoking in area.

Use non-sparking metal equipment.

Extinguishing media: dry chemical powders, salts or inert gas.  Do not use water or liquid; explosion hazard could result.

Work Practices:  Implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain concentration of exposure at low levels.  Use good housekeeping and sanitation practices.  Do not use tobacco or food in work area.  Wash thoroughly before eating and 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.

The alloy covered by this MSDS contains Aluminum and Vanadium which are chemicals subject to the reporting requirements of Section 313 of the Emergency Planning Community Right-To-Know-Act of 1986 and of 40 CFR 372.  SARA health Hazard Categories:  Immediate (acute) and delayed (chronic).

TSCA Registered:      Yes

DOT Regulations:

Solid Forms:

Hazard Class:         None

The above information is believed to be correct, but does not purport to be all inclusive and shall be used only as a guide.  ESPI shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from handling or from contact with the above product.

Issued by:                           S. Dierks

Revised/Verified:                  March 2009