Material Safety Data Sheet
1. Product and Company Identification
: Tetrafluoroethylene
Product name
Chemical formula : C2-F4
Synonyms : Perfluoroethylene; Perfluoroethene; TFE; Tetrafluoroethene; Tetrafluoroethylene,
Inhibited; UN 1081
Company : Specialty Gases of America, Inc
6055 Brent Dr.
Toledo, OH 43611
Telephone : 419-729-7732
Emergency : 800-424-9300
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Components CAS Number % Volume
Tetrafluoroethylene 116-14-3 99%
Inhibitors Not available 1%
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
May cause eye irritation, difficulty breathing, suspect cancer hazard (in animals).
May explode when heated. Flammable gas. May cause flash fire. Flash back hazard. May polymerize.
Containers may rupture or explode.
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation : Sore throat, nausea, vomiting, asthma, headache, suffocation, lung congestion,
convulsions, coma. May cause kidney damage, cancer in long term exposure.
Eye contact : Irritation, tearing, difficulty breathing.
Skin contact : No information available.
Ingestion : No information available.
Chronic Health : None known.
Hazard
4. First Aid Measures
General advice : None.
Eye contact : Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Then get
medical attention immediately.
Skin contact : Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes while removing
contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention, if needed. Thoroughly
clean and dry contaminated clothing and shoes before reuse.
Ingestion : If a large amount is swallowed, get medical attention.
Inhalation : If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. Give artificial
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respiration if not breathing. If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be
administered by qualified personnel. Get immediate medical attention.
Note to physicians : For inhalation, consider oxygen.
5. Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable : Carbon dioxide, regular dry chemical.
extinguishing media Large fires: Use regular foam or flood with fine water spray.
Specific hazards : Severe fire hazard. The vapor is heavier than air. Vapors or gases may ignite at
distant ignition sources and flash back. Vapor/air mixtures are explosive above
flash point.
Fire fighting : Move container from fire area if it can be done without risk. For fires in cargo or
storage areas: Cool containers with water from unmanned hose holder or
monitor nozzles until well after fire is out. If this is impossible, then take the
following precautions: Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and
deny entry. Let the fire burn. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from
venting safety device or any discoloration of tanks due to fire. For tank, rail car
or tank truck: Stop leak if possible without personal risk. Let fire burn unless leak
can be stopped immediately. For smaller tanks or cylinders, extinguish and
isolate from other flammables. Evacuation radius: 800 meters (1/2 mile). Do not
attempt to extinguish fire unless flow of material can be stopped first. Flood with
fine water spray. Cool containers with water spray until well after the fire is out.
Apply water from a protected location or from a safe distance. Avoid inhalation
of material or combustion by-products. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas.
Evacuate if fire gets out of control or containers are directly exposed to fire.
Evacuation radius: 500 meters (1/3 mile). Consider downwind evacuation if
material is leaking.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Water release : Subject to California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986
(Proposition 65). Keep out of water supplies and sewers.
Occupational : Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Stop leak if possible
spill/release without personal risk. Reduce vapors with water spray. Keep unnecessary
people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry. Remove sources of ignition.
Ventilate closed spaces before entering.
Additional advice : None.
7. Handling and Storage
Handling
Subject to handling regulations: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119.
Storage
Store in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Protect from physical damage. Store in a
well-ventilated area. Store outside or in a detached building. Avoid contact with light. Keep separated from
incompatible substances. Provide fire protection and spill control system suitable for the hazards of the
material. Subject to storage regulations: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.101. See original container for storage
recommendations.
8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
Exposure limits
ACGIH : 2 ppm TWA
Engineering measures/Ventilation
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Ventilation equipment should be explosion-resistant if explosive concentrations of material are present.
Provide local exhaust ventilation system. Ensure compliance with applicable exposure limits.
Personal protective equipment
Respiratory : For unknown concentrations or immediately dangerous to life or health ?Any
protection supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece that is operated in a pressure-
demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-
contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive-
pressure mode.
Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated
in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
Hand protection : Wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves.
Eye protection : Wear splash resistant safety goggles with a faceshield. Provide an emergency
eye wash fountain and quick drench shower in the immediate work area.
Skin and body : Protective clothing is not required.
protection
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Form : Gas.
Color : Colorless.
Odor : Odorless.
Molecular weight : 100.02
Vapor pressure : Not available.
Vapor density : 3.9 (air = 1)
Specific gravity : 1.5 (water = 1)
Boiling point : -105癋 (-76癈)
Melting point : -224癋 (-142癈)
Water solubility : Insoluble.
Evaporation rate : Not applicable.
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability : May explode when heated.
Conditions to avoid : Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Containers may
rupture or explode if exposed to heat.
Materials to avoid : Not available.
Hazardous : Thermal decomposition products: halogenated compounds, acid halides.
decomposition
products
11. Toxicological Information
The components of this material have been reviewed in various sources and the following selected endpoints
are published:
TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE : Inhalation LC50 Rat: 129.1 mg/L/4H; Inhalation LC50 Rat: 40000 ppm/4H
(116-14-3)
Acute Toxicity Level
TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE : Slightly toxic: inhalation
(116-14-3)
Component Carcinogenicity
ACGIH : A3- Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans
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IARC : Monograph 71 [1999]; Supplement 7 [1987]; Monograph [1979] (Group 2B
(possibly carcinogenic to humans))
DFG : Category 2 (considered to be carcinogenic for man)
Present
Reasonably Anticipated To Be A Human Carcinogen
Local Effects
TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE : Irritant: eye
(116-14-3)
12. Ecological Information
No LOLI ecotoxicity data are available for this product's components.
13. Disposal Considerations
Waste from residues : Dispose in accordance with all applicable regulations. Subject to disposal
/ unused products regulations: U.S. EPA 40 CFR 262. Hazardous Waste Number(s): D001. D003.
Contaminated : Return cylinder to supplier.
packaging
14. Transport Information
DOT (US only)
Proper shipping : Tetrafluoroethylene, stabilized
name
Class : 2.1
UN/ID No. : UN1081
Labeling : Flammable Gas
15. Regulatory Information
U.S. Federal Regulations
This material contains one or more of the following chemicals required to be identified under SARA Section
302/304 (40 CFR 355 Appendix A), SARA Section 313 (40 CFR 372.65), CERCLA (40 CFR 302.4), TSCA
12(b), and/or require an OSHA process safety plan.
TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (116-14-3)
OSHA (safety) : 5000 lb TQ
SARA 311/312
Acute: Yes
Chronic: Yes
Fire: Yes
Reactive: Yes
Pressure: Yes
U.S. State Regulations
The following components appear on one or more of the following state hazardous substances lists:
Component CAS CA MA MN NJ PA RI
TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE 116-14-3 No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
The following statement(s) are provided under the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement
Act of 1986 (Proposition 65):
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WARNING! This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer.
16. Other Information
Prepared by : Specialty Gases of America, Inc.
For additional information, please visit our website at www.americangasgroup.com.
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