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ACETYLENE MSDS
Product Name:
Acetylene, dissolved
Chemical Name:
Acetylene
Formula:
C2H2 4
Chemical Family: Alkyne 0 3
Use:
Welding, instrument fuel
Synonyms:
Ethyne, Welding Gas
¨ ¨

NFPA Fire: 4 HMIS Fire:
4 Acute:
No

NFPA Health: 0 HMIS Health:
1 Chronic:
No

NFPA Reactivity: 3 HMIS Reactivity:
3 Fire:
Yes

NFPA Special Hazard: Mixture:
No Reactive:
Yes

Sudden Release Pressure:
Yes
02. INGREDIENTS - COMPOSITION & INFORMATION

PERCENT EXPOSURE GUIDELINES
COMPONENT CAS No. (BY WT.) OSHA - TWA ACGIH - STEL
Acetylene 74-86-2 99.0% 100.0%
Simple Asphyxiant
LD50: None. LC50: None.
03. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:

Danger:
Flammable gas under pressure.

Can form explosive mixtures with air.

Cylinders contain fusible metal pressure relief devices in the top, bottom, or valve

which melt at 208-220°F (98-104°C).

Do not discharge cylinders at pressures above 15 psig (103 kPa).

Garlic-like odor.

Potential Health Effects Information:

Inhalation:
Simple asphyxiant.

It should be noted that before suffocation could occur, the lower flammability limit of

acetylene in air would be exceeded; possibly causing both an explosive and an

oxygen deficient atmosphere. Exposure in moderate concentrations may cause

dizziness, headache, and unconsciousness. Lack of sufficient oxygen may cause

serious injury or death.

Eye:
None.

Skin:
None.

Ingestion:
None.

Chronic Effects:
Acetylene is a non-toxic gas that has no harmful effects even in high

concentrations. Acetylene has been used as an anesthetic.

Medical Conditions Aggravated By
None.

Overexposure:

Carcinogenicity:
Not listed in NTP, OSHA or IARC
04. FIRST AID MEASURES

Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is

difficult, give oxygen. Get immediate medical attention.

Eye:
None.

Skin:
None.

Ingestion:
None.

Notes To Physician:
None.
05. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Flash Point:
Not applicable; Gas.

Auto ignition:
581°F (305°C) @ 1 atm

Flammable Limits - Lower:
2.5%

Flammable Limits - Upper:
80%

Extinguishing Media:
Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical, Water.

Fire Fighting Instructions:
DO NOT extinguish a gas fire unless effective immediate shut-off of gas flow is

possible. Explosive vapor could form. Keep adjacent cylinders cool by spraying

large amounts of water until the fire burns itself out and the cylinders are cool. If a

flame is extinguished and acetylene continues to escape, an explosive re-ignition

could occur.

Fire And Explosion Hazards:
Excessive heat or fire will cause fusible metal pressure relief device to melt allowing

acetylene to escape. Cylinders may rupture violently if sidewalls are exposed to

direct flame impingement. Cylinders exposed to fire should not be moved until they

have reached ambient temperature in the event internal decomposition is taking

place.

Hazardous Combustion Products:
Carbon Monoxide, Carbon dioxide.

Sensitivity To Static Discharge:
Ignitable by static electricity.

Sensitivity To Mechanical Impact:
Decomposition may occur.
06. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Evacuate:
If this material is released into a work area, evacuate the area immediately. Isolate

hazard area. Eliminate any possible sources of ignition, provide maximum explosion

proof ventilation. Shut off source of acetylene, if possible. Isolate any leaking

cylinder. If leaking from cylinder, valve or fusible metal pressure relief device,

contact your supplier. Never enter a confined space or other area where the

concentration is greater that 10% of the lower flammable limit which is 0.25%.
07. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Storage:
Store and use only in a well-ventilated area. Cylinders should be separated from

oxygen and other oxidizers by a minimum of 20 ft. or by a barrier of

non-combustible material at least 5 ft. high having a fire resistance rating of at least

1/2 hour. Storage in excess of 2,500 cu. Ft. is prohibited in buildings with other

occupancies. Cylinders should be stored upright with a valve protection cap in place

and firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Protect cylinders from

physical damage; do not drag, roll, slide or drop. Use a suitable hand truck for

cylinder movement. Post "No Smoking or Open Flames" signs in the storage or use

areas. There should be no sources of ignition. All electrical equipment should be

explosion-proof in the storage and use areas. Storage areas must meet national

electrical codes for class 1 hazardous areas.



Do not allow storage temperature to exceed 125°F (52°C). Full and empty

cylinders should be segregated. Use a first-in, first-out inventory system to prevent

full containers from being stored for long periods of time.

Handling:
All acetylene piped systems and associated equipment must be grounded.

Non-sparking tools should be used. Never use copper piping for acetylene service,

only steel or wrought iron pipe should be used. An acetylene cylinder valve should

be opened the minimum amount required to deliver acceptable flow so that it can be

closed as quickly as possible in an emergency situation. Do not open acetylene

valves more than one and one-half turns. Never use acetylene in excess of 15 psig

pressure. Acetylene cylinders are heavier than other cylinders because they are

packed with a porous filler material and acetone. Leak check with soapy water;

never use a flame. Never insert an object (e.g., wrench, screwdriver, pry bar, etc.)

into valve openings. Doing so may damage valve, causing a leak to occur. Do not

strike cap with a hammer. Use an adjustable strap wrench to remove over-tight or

rusted caps. Never strike an arc on a compressed gas cylinder or make a cylinder a

part of an electrical circuit. For additional precautions in using acetylene see

Section 16 - Other Information.

When Used In Welding Or Cutting:
Read and understand the manufacturer's instructions and the precautionary label on

the products. See American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z49.1 Safety in

Welding and Cutting published by the American Welding Society, P.O. Box 351040,

Miami, Florida 33135 and National Fire protection Association (NFPA) 51 Oxygen

Fuel Gas Welding and Cutting.
08. EXPOSURE CONTROLS - PERSONAL PROTECTION

Engineering Controls:

Ventilation:
Provide adequate natural or explosion-proof mechanical ventilation to ensure

acetylene does not accumulate and reach its lower explosive limit of 2.5%

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Skin Protection:

Clothing:
Cotton clothing is recommended for use to prevent static buildup.

Glasses:
Safety glasses are recommended when handling cylinders.

Shoes:
Safety shoes are recommended when handling cylinders.

Gloves:
Work gloves are recommended when handling cylinders.

Respiratory Protection:
Before entering area you must check for flammable and oxygen deficient

atmospheres.

Respirator:
None required in general use.

Wear a NIOSH/MSHA-approved (or equivalent) full-face piece airline respirator in

the positive pressure mode in oxygen deficient atmospheres (air purifying respirators

will not function).
09. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Physical State:
Gas

Color:
Colorless gas.

Odor:
Acetylene of 100% purity is odorless but commercial purity has a distinctive

garlic-like odor.

Molecular Weight:
26.04

Boiling Point:
-103.4°F ( -75°C) @10 psig

Specific Gravity:
0.906 At 70°F (21.1°C) @ 1 atm, Air = 1

Freezing/Melting Point:
-116°F (-82.2°C), at 10 psig

Vapor Pressure:
635 psig, At 70°F (21.1°C)

Vapor Density:
0.07314 lb./cu ft (1.176 kg/CuM), At 32°F (0°C) @ 1 atm

Water Solubility:
1.7 Vol./Vol. At 32° F (0°C) at 1 atm

Expansion Ratio:
Not Applicable - Gas

pH:
Not Applicable - Gas

Odor Threshold:
565 ppm

Evaporation Rate:
Not Applicable - Gas

Coefficient Of Water/Oil Distribution:
Information not available
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Chemical Stability:
Unstable. Stable as Shipped. Do not use at pressure above 15 psig (103 kPa).

Conditions To Avoid:
Avoid mechanical shock.

Avoid high temperatures

Incompatibility With Other Materials:
Under certain conditions, acetylene can react with copper, silver, and mercury to

form acetylides, compounds which can act as ignition sources. Brasses containing

less than 65% copper in the alloy and certain nickel alloys are suitable for acetylene

service under normal conditions. Acetylene can react explosively when combined

with oxygen and other oxidizers including all halogens and halogen compounds. The

presence of moisture, certain acids, or alkaline materials tends to enhance the

formation of copper acetylides.

Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Hydrogen, Carbon

Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

LCLo:
50% inhalation-man/5min

TCLo:
(Anesthesia) 33% inhalation-man/7 min

Irritancy Of Material:
None.

Sensitization To Material:
None.

Reproductive Effects:
None.

Teratogenicity:
None.

Mutagenicity:
None.

Synergistic Materials:
None.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Ecotoxicity:
No adverse ecological effects are expected. Acetylene does not contain any Class

I or Class II Ozone depleting chemicals (40 CFR Part 82). Acetylene is not listed

as a marine pollutant by DOT (49 CFR Part 171).
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Waste Disposal Method:
Do not attempt to dispose of residual or unused quantities. Return cylinder to

supplier.

Unserviceable cylinders should be returned to the supplier for safe and proper

disposal.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

DOT/IMO Shipping Name:
Acetylene, dissolved

Hazard Class:
2.1 (Flammable gas.)

Identification Number:
UN 1001

PIN:
1001

Product RQ:
None.

Shipping Label:
Flammable Gas.

Special Shipping Information:
Cylinders should be transported in a secure position, in a well ventilated vehicle.

The transportation of compressed gas cylinders in automobiles or in closed-body

vehicles can present serious hazards and should be discouraged.

Placard (When Required):
Flammable gas.

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