MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
Tungsten Electrodes
Conforms to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29CFR 1910.1200
Standard Must Be Consulted for Specific Requirements
XL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
1501 NORMAN DRIVE, DARIEN, IL 60561
630-435-5469
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
BUSINESS HRS: 630-435-5469
CHEMTEC: 800-424-9300
SECTION I 鈥? PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Trade Name: Tungsten Electrodes for Welding
Chemical Name/Class: Tungsten; Element
Product Use: Welding; Metal-working Operations
Classification: AWS A5.12
SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
Important: This section covers the materials from which the product is manufactured. The fumes and gases produced
during welding with the normal use of this product are covered under Section V. Thorium dioxide is subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) and 40
CFR Part 372.
Chemical Composition
Designation
Impurities 0.1% Tip Color
ISO 6848 AWS A5.12 Oxide Additive, % Tungsten, %
WT20 EWTh-2 ThO2: 1.70-2.20 97.30 Red
WP EWP ----- 99.95 Green
WL15 EWLa-1.5 LaO2: 1.30-1.70 97.80 Gold
WC20 EWCe-2 CeO2: 1.80-2.20 97.30 Orange / Gray
WL10 EWLa-1 La2O3: 0.80-1.20 98.30 Black
WL20 EWLa-2 La2O3: 1.80-2.20 97.30 Sky-blue
WZ3 EWZr-1 ZrO2: 0.15-0.50 99.10 Brown
WZ8 ZrO2: 0.70-0.90 98.60 White
WY20 Y2O3: 1.80-2.20 97.30 Blue
*The term 鈥淗AZARDOUS MATERIALS鈥? should be interpreted as a term required and defined in OSHA HAZARD
COMMUNICATION STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.1200 however the use of this term does not necessarily imply the
existence of any hazard.
SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA
Color: Silver-gray
Melting Point: Approximately 3400 C
Odor: odorless
Boiling Point: Approximately 5900 C
Solubility in Water: Insoluble Vapor. Press: N/A at 25 C
Specific Gravity (H2O=1): Approximately 19.3 Vapor. Density: N/A
Radioactive Isotope: Th-232
SECTION IV 鈥? FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA
Non-Flammable: Welding arc and sparks can ignite combustibles. See Z-49.1 referenced in Section VI.
SECTION V - REACTIVITY DATA
Hazardous Decomposition Products
Welding fumes and gases cannot be classified simply. The composition and quantity of these fumes and gases are
dependent upon the metal being welded, the procedures followed and the electrodes used.
Workers should be aware that the composition and quantity of fumes and gases to which they may be exposed, are
influenced by: coatings which may be present on the metal being welded (such as paint, plating, or galvanizing), the
number of welders in operation and the volume of the work area, the quality and amount of ventilation, the position of the
welder鈥檚 head with respect to the fume plume, as well as the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere (such as
chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors from cleaning and degreasing procedure). When the electrode is consumed, the fumes and
gas decomposition products generated are different in percent and form from the ingredients listed in Section II. The
composition of these fumes and gases are the concerning matter and not the composition of the electrode itself.
Decomposition products include those originating from the volatilization, reaction, or oxidation of the ingredients shown in
Section II, plus those from the base metal, coating and the other factors noted above.
Gaseous reaction products may include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Ozone and nitrogen oxides may be formed by the radiation from the arc.
One method of determining the composition and quantity of the fumes and gases to which the workers are exposed is to
take an air sample from inside the welder鈥檚 helmet while worn or within the worker鈥檚 breathing zone. See ANSI/AWS F1.1
publication available from the American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida 33126.
SECTION VI 鈥? HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR 1910.1000 Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV[R]).
CAS No. OSHA ACGIH ACGIH
INGREDIENT
PEL TWA STEL
5 mg/m3 10 mg/m3
Tungsten (W) 7440-33-7 -
Thorium Dioxide 1314-20-1 - - -
Cerium Dioxide 1345-13-7 - - -
Lanthanum Dioxide 1312-81-8 - - -
5 mg/m3 5 mg/m3 10 mg/m3
Zirconium Oxide 1314-23-4
1 mg/m3 1 mg/m3
Yttrium Oxide 1314-36-9
Threshold Limit Value: The ACGIH recommended general limit for welding fume NOC (Not otherwise classified) is 5
mg/m3 ACGIH-1985 preface states: 鈥淭he TLC-TWA should be used as guides in the control of health hazards and should
not be used as fine lines between safe and dangerous concentrations.鈥? See section V for specific fume constituents, which
may modify this TLV.
Common Entry Is by Inhalation.
Effects of Overexposure: Inhalation of welding fumes and gases can be dangerous to your health. Short-term (acute)
overexposure to welding fumes may result in discomfort such as dizziness, nausea, or dryness or irritation of nose, throat,
or eyes. Although the inhalation of Tungsten has the potential for causing transient or permanent lung damage, it is
generally considered to exhibit a low degree of toxicity.
Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive element. Its primary hazard lies in inhalation of dust/fumes. Normal handling
of these electrodes is not expected to result in any significant radiation exposure. Considerable experience in refining and
use of thorium has not revealed any adverse effects from industrial exposure. Long-term (chronic) over-exposure to
welding fumes can lead to siderosis (iron deposits in lung) and is believed to affect pulmonary function.
Arc Rays can injure eyes and burn skin.
Electric shock can kill.
See Section VIII.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures: Call for medical assistance. Use first aid procedures recommended by the
American Red Cross. If breathing is difficult 鈥? give oxygen. If not breathing-use CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Carcinogenicity: Thorium dioxide has been identified as a carcinogen by NTP, IARC and others. Evidence for its ability to
cause cancer has come solely from its internal medical use.
SECTION VII - HANDLING AND STORAGE
Work Practices and Hygiene Practices: After the end of work shift, hands and other exposed skin should be thoroughly
washed. Do not eat or drink during use of these products. Use ventilation and other engineering controls to minimize
potential exposure to fumes during welding operations or to dusts if tips of electrodes are ground. Follow good house-
keeping practices to ensure powders or dusts from grinding operations do not accumulate, which can be highly flammable
and can pose special health hazards if from thorium-containing electrodes. Tungsten-Thorium Oxide alloys are generally
safe to handle during use and almost all normal conditions and environments. Special precautions must be taken during
the grinding or machining of tips of electrodes that contain Thorium Oxide to avoid the generation and subsequent
inhalation of dusts from these operations. Any dusts generated during these operations may be considered as
鈥淪ource Material鈥?, as defined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and therefore be subject to the requirements
of 10 CFR, Parts 20 and 40. Routine wet mopping or vacuuming with an explosion-proof vacuum, fitted with a HEPA
filter may be considered to reduce accumulation of dusts.
Storage and Handling Practices: All employees who handle these materials should be trained to handle it safely. Avoid
breathing dusts or powders generated during grinding of electrode tips. Open packages and containers of these products
slowly, on a stable surface. Packages and containers of these products must be properly labeled.
SECTION VIII 鈥? EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
Read and understand the manufacturer鈥檚 instructions and precautionary label on this product. See American Standard Z49.1
Safety in Welding and Cutting, published by the AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY, 550 N.W. Lejenune Road, Miami,
Florida 33126 and OSHA Publication 2206 (29 CFR 1910), U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402 for
more details on the following topics.
Ventilation: Use plenty of ventilation and/or local exhaust at the arc, to keep the fumes and gases below the threshold limit
value within the worker鈥檚 breathing zone and the general work area. Welders should be advised to keep their head out of
the fumes.
Respiratory Protection: Use respirable fume respirator or air supplied respirator when welding in a confined space or
general work area where local exhaust and/or ventilation does not keep exposure below the threshold limit value.
Eye Protection: Wear a helmet or face shield with a filter lens shade number 12-14 or darker. Shield other workers by
providing screens and flash goggles.
Protective Clothing: Wear approved head, hand and body protection, which help to prevent injury from radiation, sparks
and electrical shock. See ANSI Z-49.1. This would include wearing welder鈥檚 gloves and a protective face shield and may
include arm protectors, apron, hats, shoulder protection, as well as dark substantial clothing. Welders should be trained not
to allow electrically live parts to contract the skin or wet clothing and gloves. The welders should insulate themselves from
the work and ground.
Waste Disposal Method: Discard any product, residue, disposal container, or liner in an environmentally acceptable
manner approved by Federal, State and Local regulations.
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XL Technologies, Inc. believes that the information contained in this (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheet is accurate.
However, XL Technologies, Inc. does not express or implies any warranty with respect to this information.
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