Tungsten Carbide Material Safety Data Sheet

CHEMICAL NAME: Cemented Tungsten Carbide with Cobalt/Nickel Binder; Cemented Carbide Products with Cobalt/Nickel Binder
TRADE NAME & SYNONYMS: All Federal Carbide Cemented Tungsten Carbide Grades
CHEMICAL FAMILY: Refractory Metal Carbide
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: Varies with grade composition

PHYSICAL DATA

HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

HEALTH HAZARD DATA

Routes of Exposure: 
X      Skin Contact. 
N/A  Skin Absorption.
X      Eye Contact.
X      Acute Inhalation.
X      Chronic Inhalation.
X      Ingestion. 

Effects of Exposure:
X      Carcinogenicty.
X      Nickel - IARC 2B, NTP 2.
X      Cobalt – IARC 2B.
N/A  Reproductive Toxicity.
N/A  Teratogenicity. 
N/A  Mutagenicity.
N/A  Synergistic Maerials.

Inhalation – Dusts or mists can cause irritation of the nose and throat. Inhalation can result in an allergic reaction in individuals previously sensitized causing difficult breathing. Dusts or mists also have the potential for causing transient or permanent respiratory disease, including occupational asthma and interstitial fibrosis in a small percentage of exposed individuals.  Symptoms include productive cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and weight loss.  Nickel is suspected of causing nasal and lung cancer. Symptoms include pain, bleeding, nasal obstruction, vision impairment, weight loss and voice resonance change.

Skin Contact – Can cause irritation or an allergic skin rash due to chromium, cobalt or nickel sensitization in people susceptible to allergic reactions.

Eye Contact – Can cause irritation or conjunctivitis.

Ingestion – Ingestion of large amounts of cobalt over a period of time has the potential for causing blood, heart and other organ problems. Current scientific information indicates no adverse effects are likely from ingestion of small amounts of nickel dust generated from these products. 

Carcinogenity:
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) found there was sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity of nickel in experimental animals and limited evidence of the carcinogenicity of nickel in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found there was inadequate evidence that metallic cobalt and metallic nickel are carcinogenic to humans, but since there was sufficient evidence that they are carcinogenic to animals, IARC concluded that metallic cobalt and metallic nickel are possibly carcinogenic to humans. IARC and NTP found there was inadequate data for the carcinogenicity of chromium and trivalent chromium compounds. Cobalt has not been classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by NTP or OSHA. Nickel and chromium have not been classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by OSHA.

Conditions Aggravated by Exposure:
Lung and other pulmonary and skin conditions may be aggravated by exposure.

Emergency and First Aid Procedures:

Inhalation – If symptoms of pulmonary involvement develop (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, etc.), remove from exposure and seek medical attention.

Skin Contact – If irritation or rash ocurrs, thoroughly wash affected area with soap and water and isolate from exposure. If irritation or rash persists, seek medical attention.

Eye Contact – If irritation ocurrs, flush with large amounts of water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. 

Ingestion – If substantial quantities are swallowed, dilute with a large amount of water, induce vomiting and seek medical attention.

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

Flash Point: N/A.
Lower Explosive Limit: N/A.
Upper Explosive Limit: N/A.
Test Method Used to Determine Flash Point: N/A
Autoignition Temperature: N/A. Hard cemented carbide product is not a fire hazard. Dusts generated in grinding operations may ignite if allowed to accumulate and are subjected to an ignition source.
Flammable Limits: N/A
Extinguishing Media: For powder fires, smother with dry sand, dry dolomite, ABC type fire extinguisher or flood with water.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: For a powder fire confined to a small area, use a respirator approved for toxic dusts and fumes. For a large fire, fire fighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Dusts may present a fire or explosion hazard when exposed to a high temperature or ignition sources. However, this is not expected to be a problem under normal handling conditions.
Hazardous Combustion Products:  May generate toxic fumes when heated.

REACTIVITY DATA

Stability: These products are stable.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Incompatibilty: Contact of dust with strong oxidizers may cause fire or explosions.
Materials to Avoid: Strong acids and oxidizers.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition may release tungsten carbide, cobalt and nickel metallic oxides. 

SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES

Steps to be taken in case material is released or spilled: Ventilate area of spill. Clean up using methods that avoid dust generation such as vacuum (with appropriate filter to prevent airborne dust levels that exceed the limits described above), wet dust mop or wet clean-up. If airborne dust is generated, use an appropriate NIOSH approved respirator.

Waste Disposal Method: Dispose in accordance with appropriate government regulations. May be sold as scrap for reclaim. 

SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION

Respiratory Protection: Use an appropriate NIOSH approved respirator if airborne dust concentrations exceed the exposure limits described above. All appropriate requirements set forth in 29 CFR 1910.134 should be met.

Ventilation: Use local exhaust ventilation that is adequate to limit personnel exposure to airborne dust levels that do not exceed the exposure limits described above. If such equipment is unavailable, use an appropriate NIOSH approved respirator.   

Protective Gloves: Protective gloves or barrier cream are recommended when contact with dust is likely. Prior to applying the barrier cream or use of protective gloves, wash thoroughly.

Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields or goggles are recommended.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

Precautions to be Taken in Handling and Storage: Practice good housekeeping procedures to prevent the accumulation of dusts and mists during grinding. The generation of dusts and mists may present a health hazard if exposure limits, as described above, are exceeded. Avoid inhalation and direct skin contact with dusts and mists.

Other precautions: Clean up using methods which avoid dust generation such as vacuum (with appropriate filter to prevent airborne dust levels which exceed the exposure limits described above). If airborne dust is generated, use an appropriate NIOSH approved respirator. Wash hands thoroughly after handling, before eating or smoking. Wash exposed skin and remove soiled clothing at the end of the work shift. Do not shake clothing, rags or other items to remove dust. Dust should be removed by washing or vacuuming (with appropriate filters) the clothing, rags or other items. Periodic medical examinations are recommended for individuals regularly exposed to dusts or mists.

In case of questions, please call:
Federal Carbide Company
One Eagle Ridge Road
Tyrone, PA 16685
Safety Manager
(814) 684-7600

Although Federal Carbide has attempted to provide current accurate information herein, Federal Carbide makes no representation regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and assumes no liability for any loss, damage or injury of any kind which may result from or arise out of the use of or reliance on the information by any person.