Product Identification

Product Name

Sulfur hexafluoride

Synonyms

Elegas
Sulfur fluoride

CAS

2551-62-4

Formula

F6S

Molecular Weight

146.05000000000001

EINECS

219-854-2

RTECS

WS4900000

RTECS Class

Other

Merck

12,9146

Beilstein/Gmelin

2752 (G)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance

A colorless odorless gas.

Solubility in water

30 mg/L

Melting Point

-50.8

Boiling Point

-63.7

Vapor Pressure

9443.51 (0 C)

Density

1.07 g/cm3 (50 C)

Partition Coefficient

1.68

Usage

In electrical circuit interrupters, in electronic ultra-high frequency piping.

Vapor Density

5.1

First Aid Measures

Ingestion

Seek medical assistance.

Inhalation

Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with beta2 agonist and corticosteroid aerosols.

Skin

Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water.

Eyes

If symptoms develop, immediately move individual away from exposure and into fresh air. Flush eyes gently with water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids apart; seek immediate medical attention.

Handling and Storage

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry, dark location in a tightly sealed container or cylinder. Keep away from incompatible materials, ignition sources and untrained individuals. Secure and label area. Protect containers/cylinders from physical damage.

Handling

All chemicals should be considered hazardous. Avoid direct physical contact. Use appropriate, approved safety equipment. Untrained individuals should not handle this chemical or its container. Handling should occur in a chemical fume hood.

Hazards Identification

Inhalation

Air hunger and cyanosis may be noted.

Skin

Direct contact with the liquified material or escaping compressed gas can cause frostbite injury.

Eyes

See Skin.

Ingestion

Unlikely to occur.

Hazards

Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket.

UN (DOT)

1080

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Personal Protection

Wear appropriate protective gloves, clothing and goggles.

Respirators

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Exposure Effects

Altered hearing, mild excitation, and a peripheral tingling sensation may develop. If displacement of oxygen causes hypoxemia, incoordination, mood disturbances, confusion, headache, or coma could develop. No data were available to assess the teratogenic potential of this agent or its possible effects during pregnancy or lactation.

Exposure limit(s)

TLV: 1000 ppm; 5970 mg/m3 (ACGIH 1997). OSHA PEL: TWA 1000 ppm (6000 mg/m3) NIOSH REL: TWA 1000 ppm (6000 mg/m3)

Poison Class

-

Fire Fighting Measures

Fire Fighting

Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible.

Fire Potential

May burn but does not ignite readily.

Accidental Release Measures

Small spills/leaks

Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard.

Stability and Reactivity

Incompatibilities

Disilane explodes violently in contact with sulfur hexafluoride. Decomposition occurs at high temp in presence of oxygen with release of irritating decomposition products. Disilane explodes on contact with carbon tetrachloride or sulfur hexafluoride.

Stability

No data.

Combustion Products

Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

Transport Information

UN Number

1080

Hazard Class

2.2