Datasheet

Explosion data
Not sensitive.
Sensitivity to mechanical
impact
Product as shipped: Not sensitive.
Dust from processing Take precautionary measures against static discharges when there is a risk
of dust explosion.
Sensitivity to static
discharge
SECTION 6: Accidental release measures
6.1. Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Avoid generating dust. Avoid contact with sharp edges or heated metal. Molten, heated and cold
aluminium look alike; do not touch unless you know it is cold. Use personal protection
recommended in Section 8 of the SDS.
For non-emergency
personnel
Avoid generating dust. Avoid contact with sharp edges or heated metal. Molten, heated and cold
aluminium look alike; do not touch unless you know it is cold. Use personal protection
recommended in Section 8 of the SDS.
For emergency responders
Keep unnecessary personnel away.
Evacuation procedures
No special environmental precautions required.
6.2. Environmental precautions
Collect scrap for recycling. If molten: Use dry sand to contain the flow of material. All tooling (e.g.,
shovels or hand tools) and containers which come in contact with molten metal must be preheated
or specially coated, rust free and approved for such use. Allow the spill to cool before remelting as
scrap.
6.3. Methods and material for
containment and cleaning up
For personal protection, see section 8. For waste disposal, see section 13.
6.4. Reference to other
sections
SECTION 7: Handling and storage
Avoid generating dust. Avoid breathing dust/fume. Avoid contact with sharp edges or heated
metal. Hot and cold aluminium are not visually different. Hot aluminium does not necessarily glow
red. Keep material dry. Use personal protection recommended in Section 8 of the SDS.
7.1. Precautions for safe
handling
Store in a dry place.
7.2. Conditions for safe
storage, including any
incompatibilities
Fabricated aluminium parts and products
7.3. Specific end use(s)
Molten metal and water can be an explosive combination. The risk is greatest when there is
sufficient molten metal to entrap or seal off the water. Water and other forms of contamination on
or contained in scrap or remelt ingot are known to have caused explosions in melting operations.
While the products may have minimal surface roughness and internal voids, there remains the
possibility of moisture contamination or entrapment. If confined, even a few drops of water can
lead to violent explosions.
All tooling, containers, molds and ladles which come in contact with molten metal must be
preheated or specially coated, rust free and approved for such use. Any surfaces that may contact
molten metal (e.g., concrete) should be specially coated.
Drops of molten metal in water (e.g. from plasma arc cutting), while not normally an explosion
hazard, can generate enough flammable hydrogen gas to present an explosion hazard. Vigorous
circulation of the water and removal of the particles minimize the hazards.
During melting operations, the following minimum guidelines should be observed:
• Inspect all materials prior to furnace charging and completely remove surface contamination such
as water, ice, snow, deposits of grease and oil or other surface contamination resulting from
weather exposure, shipment, or storage.
• Store materials in dry, heated areas with any cracks or cavities pointed downwards.
• Preheat and dry large items adequately before charging into a furnace containing molten metal.
This is typically done by use of a drying oven or homogenizing furnace. The drying cycle should
bring the metal temperature of the coldest item of the batch to 400°F (200°C) and then hold at that
temperature for 6 hours.
Thermite explosions have been reported when aluminium alloys were melted in furnaces used for
alloying with lead, bismuth or other metals with low melting temperatures. These metals, when
added as high purity ingots, can seep through cracks in furnace liners and become oxidized.
During subsequent melts in the furnace, molten aluminium can contact these metal oxides
resulting in a thermite explosion.
Requirements for Remelting of
Scrap Material and/or Ingot
5 / 19
Material name: WROUGHT ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS, 6xxx SERIES ALLOYS
668 Version #: 13 Revision date: 24-August-2017 Issue date: 09-March-2017
ARCONIC SDS GBR 2016