| Product Name: | Argon, refrigerated Liquid |
| Chemical Name: | Argon |
| Formula: | Ar |
| Chemical Family: | Inert gas |
| Use: | Various, inerting |
| Synonyms: | Cryogenic Liquid Argon, Liquid Argon |
| NFPA Fire: | 0 |
| NFPA Health: | 3 |
| NFPA Reactivity: | 0 |
| NFPA Special Hazard: | SA |
| HMIS Fire: | 0 |
| HMIS Health: | 3 |
| HMIS Reactivity: | 0 |
| Mixture: | No |
| Acute: | Yes |
| Chronic: | No |
| Fire: | No |
| Reactive: | No |
| Sudden Release Pressure: | Yes |
| Ingredients – Composition Information |
| Component: | Argon |
| CAS No. | 7440-37-1 |
| Percent (by weight) | 99.0% 100.0% |
| ACGIH – STEL | Simple Asphyxiant |
| Emergency Overview |
| Danger: | Extremely cold liquid and gas under pressure. Can cause rapid suffocation. Can cause severe frostbite. |
| Potential Health Effects Information |
| Inhalation: | Simple asphyxiant. Argon is nontoxic, but may cause suffocation by displacing the oxygen in air. Exposure to oxygen-deficient atmosphere (<19.5%) may cause dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, diminished mental alertness, loss of consciousness and death. Exposure to atmospheres containing 8-10% or less oxygen will bring about unconsciousness without warning and soquickly that the individuals cannot help or protect themselves. Lack of sufficientoxygen may cause serious injury or death. |
| Eye: | Tissue freezing and severe cryogenic burns of eyes. |
| Skin: | Tissue freezing and severe cryogenic burns of skin. |
| Chronic Effects: | None |
| Medical Conditions Aggravated By Overexposure | None. |
| Carcinogenicity: | Argon is not listed by NTP, OSHA, or IARC |
| First Aid Measures |
| Inhalation: | Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention. |
| Eye: | In case of splash contamination, immediately flush eyes with water for at least 15minutes. See physician, preferably an ophthalmologist, immediately. |
| Skin: | Remove any clothing that may restrict circulation to frozen area. Do not rub frozenparts as tissue damage may result. As soon as practical place the affected area in a warm water bath which has a temperature not to exceed 105°F (40°C). Never use dry heat. In case of massive exposure, remove clothing while showering with warm water. Call a physician as soon as possible |
| Ingestion: | None. |
| Notes To Physician: | None. |
| Fire Fighting Measures |
| Flash Point: | Not applicable; Gas. |
| Auto ignition: | Nonflammable. |
| Flammable Limits – Lower: | Not applicable. |
| Flammable Limits – Upper: | Not applicable. |
| Extinguishing Media: | Argon is nonflammable and does not support combustion. Use extinguishing media appropriate for the surrounding fire. |
| Fire Fighting Instructions: | Argon is a simple asphyxiant. If possible, remove argon cylinders from fire area or cool with water. Do not direct water spray at the container vent. Self-contained breathing apparatus may be required for rescue workers. Evacuate this area. |
| Fire And Explosion Hazards | Upon exposure to intense heat or flame cylinder may vent rapidly and/or rupture violently. Most cylinders are designed to vent contents when exposed to elevated temperatures. Pressure in a container can build up due to heat and it may rupture if pressure relief devices should fail to function. |
| Hazardous Combustion Products: | None known |
| Sensitivity To Static Discharge: None. |
| Sensitivity To Mechanical Impact: | None. |
| Accidental Release Measures |
| Evacuate: | Evacuate all personnel from the affected area. Shut off source of argon if possible without risk. Ventilate area or remove leaking containers to a well ventilated location. If leaking from cylinder or its valve, contact your supplier. |
| Handling and Storage |
| Storage: | Store and use with adequate ventilation. Do not store in a confined space. Cryogenic containers are equipped with pressure relief devices to control internal pressure. Under normal conditions these containers will periodically vent product. Some metals such as carbon steel may become brittle at low temperatures and will easily fracture. Prevent entrapment of liquid in closed systems or piping without |
| pressure relief devices. |
| Handling: | Never allow any unprotected part of the body to touch un-insulated pipes or vessels which contain cryogenic fluids. The extremely cold metal will cause the flesh to stick fast and tear when one attempts to withdraw from it Use a suitable hand truck for container movement. Containers shall be handled and stored in an upright position. Do not drop or roll containers on their sides. If user experiences any difficulty operating container valve discontinue use, and contact supplier. For additional precautions in using liquid nitrogen see Section 16 – Other |
| Information. |
| Other Information |
| Exposure Control – Personal Protection |
| Engineering Controls: |
| Ventilation: | Natural or mechanical to prevent oxygen-deficient atmospheres under 19.5% oxygen. |
| 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. |
| Respirator : | None required in general use. |
| Physical and Chemical Properties |
| Physical State: | Liquid |
| Color: | Colorless . |
| Odor: | Odorless |
| Molecular Weight: | 39.95 |
| Boiling Point: | -302.6°F (-185.9°C) @ 1 atm |
| Specific Gravity: | 1.38 At 70°F (21.1°C) @ 1 atm, Air = 1 |
| Freezing/Melting Point: | -308.6°F (-189.2°C), @ 1 atm |
| Vapor Pressure: | Not Applicable |
| Vapor Density: | .103 lb./cu ft (1.650 kg/CuM), At 70°F (21.1°C) @ 1 atm |
| Water Solubility: | .056 Vol./Vol. At 32° F (0°C) |
| Expansion Ratio: | Not Applicable – Gas |
| pH: | Not Applicable – Gas |
| Odor Threshold: | Not Applicable – Gas |
| Evaporation Rate: | Not Applicable – Gas |
| Coefficient Of Water/Oil Distribution: | Information not available |
| Stability and Reactivity |
| Chemical Stability: | Stable |
| Conditions To Avoid: | None |
| Hazardous Decomposition Products: | None |
| Hazardous Polymerization: | Will not occur |
| Toxicological Information |
| |
| Irritancy Of Material: | None. |
| Sensitization To Material: | None. |
| Reproductive Effects: | None. |
| Teratogenicity: | None. |
| Mutagenicity: | None. |
| Synergistic Materials: | None. |
| Ecological Information |
| Ecotoxicity: | No adverse ecological effects are expected. Argon does not contain any Class I orClass II Ozone depleting chemicals (40 CFR Part 82). Argon is not listed as a marine pollutant by DOT (49 CFR Part 171). |
| Disposal Considerations |
| Waste Disposal Method: | Do not attempt to dispose of residual or unused quantities. Return cylinder to supplier. |
| Transport Information |
| DOT/IMO Shipping Name: | Argon, refrigerated liquid |
| Hazard Class: | 2.2 (NonFlammable gas.) |
| Identification Number: | UN 1915 |
| PIN: | 1915 |
| Product RQ: | None. |
| Shipping Label: | Non 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): | Non Flammable gas. |