Antimony Trioxide Overview
TCC's Antimony Trioxide is a toxic, inorganic compound that is primarily used as a flame retardant in combination with halogenated materials. Produced as a white, odorless crystalline powder, TCC ships the product in bulk, in 50 lb. and 2,000 lb. bags.
China is the leading producer of Antimony Trioxide, although it is also made in the United States, Mexico, South Africa, Bolivia, Russia, Europe and Japan.
Typical applications for Antimony Trioxide include flame retardant for use in plastics, rubber, paints, paper, textiles, and electronics; polyethylene terephthalate polymerization catalyst; a clarifying agent for glass; an opacifier for porcelain and enamel; and a white pigment for paint.
About Antimony Trioxide
TCC's Antimony Trioxide, also known as antimony oxide or Sb2O3, is the most widely produced compound of elemental antimony. It is found in nature as the minerals valentinite and senarmontite. Like most polymeric oxides, Sb2O3 dissolves in aqueous solutions only with hydrolysis.
Global production of Antimony Trioxide in 2005 was 120,000 tons, an increase from 112,600 tons in 2002. China produces the largest share (47%), followed by US/Mexico (22%), Europe (17%), Japan (10%), and South Africa (2%). Other countries account for an additional 2%.
Antimony Trioxide is mainly produced via the smelting of stibnite ore, which is oxidized to crude Sb2O3 using furnaces operating at approximately 850° C to 1,000° C.
Crude Sb2O3 is purified by sublimation, which allows it to be separated from the more volatile arsenic trioxide. This step is relevant because antimony ores commonly contain significant amounts of arsenic.
Antimony oxide is also obtained via antimony trichloride, which can be obtained from stibnite.
Antimony Trioxide is an amphoteric oxide, dissolving in alkaline solution to give antimonites and in acid solution to give a rang of polyantimonous acids. It can be readily oxidized to antimony pentoxide and related antimony (V) compounds, but it is also easily reduced to antimony, sometimes with production of stibine.
TCC's Antimony Trioxide can be dampened with a variety of media including, but not limited to, ethylene glycol, diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and mineral oil.
Applications using Antimony Trioxide
TCC's Antimony Trioxide, also known as antimony oxide (Sb2O3), is the most widely produced compound of elemental antimony.
Typical applications for Antimony Trioxide include flame retardant for use in plastics, rubber, paints, paper, textiles, and electronics; polyethylene terephthalate polymerization catalyst; a clarifying agent for glass; an opacifier for porcelain and enamel; and a white pigment for paint.
When used as a flame retardant, Antimony Trioxide is often used in combination with halogenated compounds. Antimony Trioxide acts as a synergist to enhance the activity of the halogenated flame retardant. In the absence of Antimony Trioxide about twice as much halogenated compound would be needed to reach the same level of flame retardancy.
Product Specification - Antimony Trioxide
| Product: | Antimony Trioxide HT |
| CAS No: | 1309-64-4 |
| Molec. Formula: | Sb2O3 |
| Item | Specification | Typical |
| Antimony Oxide | 99.5% min | 99.5% |
| Antimony (Sb) | 83.3% min | 83.3 |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.2% max | 0.075% |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.1% max | 0.050% |
| Selenium | 50 ppm max | <50 ppm |
| Specific Gravity | 5.2-5.6 | 5.2-5.6 |
| Residue on 325 mesh (% max/min) | 0.5% | <0.1% |
| Average Particle Size (microns) | 1.1-1.8 | 1.2-1.6 |
| Tint Strength: | High |
| Color: | Excellent White |
| Weight per Cubic Ft.: | 44 to 55lbs |
Material Safety Data Sheet
1. Supplier and Substance Identification
| CHEMICAL NAME: | Antimony Trioxide |
| CHEMICAL FAMILY: | Antimony Compound |
| FORMULA: | Antimony Compound |
| DOT SHIPPING NAME: | Non-Hazardous Flame Retardant |
| ITEM NO: | 50155 |
| SUB NO: | 4 |
| DOT HAZARD CLASS: | 50 |
| ISSUE DATE: | January 1, 2009 |
Supplier:
The Chemical Company
19 Narragansett Avenue
Jamestown, RI 02835 USA
Phone : 401.423.3100
Fax : 401.423.3102
Email : info@thechemco.com
Web : www.thechemco.com
2. Composition /Information on ingredients
| IDENTITY | CAS NO. | TYPICAL % | TWA | ACGIH STEL | OSHA PEL |
| Antimony Trioxide | 1309-64-4 | >99.5 | 0.5mg/m3 as Sb | none | 0.5mg/m3 as Sb |
| Arsenic | 7440-38-2 | <0.10 | 0.01mg/m3 as As | 0.01mg/m3 as As | |
| Lead | <0.10 | 0.05mg/m3 as Pb | 0.05mg/m3 as Pb |
3. Hazard Identification
| PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS (TLV) | The permissible exposure limit for antimony is 0.5mg/m3 as Sb-8 hour TWA, OSHA 29CFR 1910.1000 (May 28,1975) |
| TOXICITY DATA | |
| LC-50 INHALATION | See “Effects of Overexposure” section |
| LD-50 DERMAL | (rabbits) > 2g/kg |
| LD-50 INGESTION | (rats) >34.6g/kg |
| LC-50 FISH (LETHAL CONCENTRATION) | Unknown |
| HUMAN EXPOSURE INFORMATION/DATA | TLV-TWA for As is .2mg/m3 TLV-TWA FOR Zinc Oxide is 10mg/m3 See “Effects of Overexposure” section |
4. First Aid Measures
| INHALATION | Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration, preferable mouth-to-mouth. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call physician. |
| SKIN CONTACT | Flush skin with plenty of water. If irritation occurs consult a physician. |
| EYE CONTACT | Flush eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Call physician. |
| INGESTION | (Swallowing) Drink a quart of water the induce vomiting by placing a finger far back in the throat. Call a physician. If vomiting cannot be induced take immediately to a physician or a hospital. Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. |
5. Fire Fighting Measures
| FLASH POINT | None |
| FLAMMABLE LIMITS IN AIR (% BY VOLUME) | Not Applicable |
| EXTINGUISHING MEDIA | Not Applicable |
| SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES | Not Applicable |
| UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS | Not Applicable |
6. Accidental Release Measures
Steps to be taken if material is spilled or released:
Vacuum all visible spilled materials and place in closed plastic bags for disposal. Thoroughly flush area of spill with water. Water flush should be used only after all visible material has been vacuumed. DO NOT flush spilled material to sewer.
7. Handling and Storage
Precautions to be taken during handling and storing:
- When handling wear long sleeved shirt, rubber gloves and chemical safety goggles.
- Wear respiratory protection where potential exposure to dust may occur.
- Respiratory protection must be NIOSH/MSHA approved for protection against dust.
- Store in a dry, well-ventilated area.
- Do not store in open, unlabeled or mislabeled containers.
Other precautions:
- Do not inhale dust. Inhalation may cause irritation of respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Long-term exposure may cause irreversible lung changes and other health effects.
- Use only with adequate ventilation. Ventilation must be sufficient to limit employee exposure to antimony oxide in work area as far below OSHA permissible exposure limit as practical.
- Avoid contact with eyes. May cause irritation and pain.
- Do not take internally.
- Do not eat or drink in work area.
- Wash thoroughly after handling and take shower at end of work shift. Wear clean clothing daily.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
| Respiratory Protection | NIOSH/MSHA approved dust respirator. Respiratory program must be in accordance with 29CFR 1910.134. |
| Ventilation Type | Local Exhaust-Sufficient to maintain employee exposure as far below OSHA permissible exposure limits as practical. |
| Eye Protection | Chemical Safety Goggles |
| Gloves | Rubber, Neoprene or Nitrile |
| Other Protective Equipment | Long sleeved shirt, eye-wash fountain and safety shower in immediate area. Personnel protective clothing and use of equipment must be in accordance with 29CFR 1910.133. |
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
| BOILING POINT @ 760 HG | 2597 F |
| VAPOR DENSITY (AIR-1) | Not Applicable |
| SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H20) | Not Applicable |
| Ph OF SOLUTIONS | Not Applicable |
| FREEZING/MELTING POINT | Not Applicable |
| SOLUBILITY (WEIGHT % IN WATER) | Slight |
| BULK DENSITY | Unknown |
| VOLUME % VOLATILE | Not Applicable |
| EVAPORATION RATE | Not Applicable |
| HEAT OF SOLUTION | Not Applicable |
| APPEARANCE AND ODOR | Fine White Powder/Odorless |
10. Stability and Reactivity
| STABILITY | Stable |
| CONDITIONS TO AVOID | None known |
| HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION | Will not occur |
| INCOMPATIBILITY (MATERIALS TO AVOID) | None known |
| HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS | Not applicable |
11. Toxicological Information
This section covers the effects of overexposure for inhalation, eye/skin contact, ingestion and other types of overexposure information in the order of the most hazardous and the most likely rout of overexposure.
INHALATION
Animal test (rats) @ 2.7mg/1 (2,760mg/m3) exposure for four hours produced no deaths. Gross pathological alterations found were slight focal discoloration and slight puffy white foci in the lungs.
ACUTE EFFECTS
Inhalations: Antimony oxide inhalation can cause irritation to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes.
Eye contact: Antimony oxide was found to be slightly - moderately irritating. Therefore, eye contact can cause irritation and pain.
Skin contact: Antimony oxide was found to be minimally irritating to the skin when tested on laboratory animals. However, human experience indicates that prolonged or repeated contact with skin can result in irritation and skin lesions, sometimes referred to as “antimony fleas”. Skin irritation is worse when the skin surface is moist as found with perspiration.
CHRONIC EFFECTS
The primary route of chronic overexposure to antimony oxide is by inhalation. Various primarily including dermatitis, rhinitis, inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract (including pneumonitis), with a few cases of gastritis, conjunctivitis, and sepal perforation.
Studies on animals exposed to antimony tri-sulfide have been reported to cause changes in the heart (EKG’s). However, no such reports have been reviewed to suggest similar alterations in EKG’s from exposure to antimony tri-oxide.
Preliminary data from two independent chronic rat inhalation studies revealed antimony oxide induced both benign and malignant lung tumors in animal exposed for at least 12 months to concentration at 4.2 and 50 mg/m3. Animals exposed to 1.6mg/m3 have not shown a carcinogenic response to date. The tumors represented an unusual histological appearance from lesions previously described in rat lungs. A high incidence of lung fibrosis was also associated with exposure.
Antimony oxide and antimony compounds should be handled as suspect carcinogens because of these findings. Antimony oxide is an I.A.R.C. (Group IIB) suspect carcinogen and arsenic is and OSHA cancer hazard, an NTP Human Carcinogen, and an I.A.R.C. (Group I) Human Carcinogen.
AFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE (ARSENIC)
| Primary route of entry: |
|
| Inhalation can cause: | Can affect the heart, liver & kidney. Toxic symptoms include nervousness, vomiting, thirst, diarrhea, cyanosis, & collapse |
| Ingestion can cause: | Same as above plus GI tract irritation |
| Skin contact can cause: | Ulcerations |
AFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE (LEAD)
| Primary route of entry: |
|
| Inhalation can cause: | Respiratory irritation, weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of coordination, convulsions, stupor coma |
| Ingestion can cause: | Same as above |
| Skin contact can cause: | Same as above |
| Eye contact can cause: | Same as above |
Left untreated can lead to weakness, insomnia, hypertension, irritation to skin and eye, anemia, metallic taste, constipation, headache, muscle and joint pain, neuromuscular dysfunction, paralysis, encephalopathy, peripheral neuropathy.
12. Ecological Information
| Ecotoxicity: | Not available. |
| BOD5 and COD: | Not available. |
| Products of Biodegradation: | Possibly hazardous short term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation products may arise. |
| Toxicity of the Products of Biodegradation: | The products of degradation are as toxic as the original product. |
| Special Remarks on the Products of Biodegradation: | Not available. |
13. Disposal Consideration
Waste Disposal Method:
Care must be taken when using or disposing of chemical materials and/or their containers to prevent environmental contamination. It is your duty to dispose of the chemical materials and/or their containers in accordance with the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and all state and local laws/regulations regarding disposal.
14. Transport Information
| DOT SHIPPING NAME: | Non-Hazardous Flame Retardant |
| ITEM NO: | 50155 |
| SUB NO: | 4 |
| DOT HAZARD CLASS: | 50 |
15. Regulatory Information
CLASSIFICATIONS
| Sara Title III | HMIS FLAMM | NFPA FLAMM |
| Acute: Y | React: | React: 0 |
| Chronic: Y | Health: | Health: 0 |
| Press: Y | PPE: | |
| React: Y | ||
| Fire: Y |
Components of this product which appear in the ingredients section of this MSDS are identified below if they are present in excess of the minimum reporting levels. Components which are not required to be identified by specific chemical name may have a generic description.
| SARA TITLE III | Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substance (s): | None |
| SARA TITLE III | Section 313 Toxic Chemicals | Antimony Oxide |
STATE RIGHT TO KNOW
Components of this product which are specifically identified in the ingredients section of this MSDS may be listed on the following:
- Pennsylvania Hazardous Substance List
- Massachusetts Hazardous Substance List
- California Proposition 65 – This product contains a chemical known by the State of California to cause cancer and a chemical also known by the State of California to be a reproductive toxin.
TSCA INVENTORY
Antimony oxide is reported in EPA TSCA inventory, 1980. Rev. 6: 19 May, 2003
REFERENCES
- Acute Toxicity Studies with Antimony Trioxide, Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, Illinois, 60062, Keplinger, et al., Report Nos. T-2298 and A-2297, Nov./Dec. 1972
- Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, Second Edition, Frank A. Patty, 1962
- Occupational Exposure to antimony, NIOSH Criteria Document, U.S. Department of HEW, September, 1978
- WIL Research Laboratory, Study # WIL-1277-79, Acute Eye Irritation in Rabbits with Antimony Oxide, December 21, 1979
- Assessment of Carcinogenicity of Antimony Trioxide, experimental Pathology Laboratory, Inc., Herndon, Virginia, August, 1980
16. Other Information
Disclaimer:
The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the information for their particular purposes. In no event shall The Chemical Company be liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party or for lost profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages, howsoever arising, even if The Chemical Company has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Shipping & Ordering Information
TCC's Antimony Trioxide is available for shipment throughout the continental United States with one (1) week lead time.
Please call (401) 423-3100 for details. The product is delivered in 50 lb. and 2,000 lb. bags.
Contact The Chemical Company 19 Narragansett Ave. Post Office Box 436 Jamestown, RI 02835-0436 Telephone: (401) 423-3100 FAX: (401) 423-3102 Robert N. Roach III "Robb" President Cell: (401) 864-3111 Email: robb@thechemco.com
©2010 The Chemical Company · The information on this site is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the information for their particular purposes. In no event shall The Chemical Company be liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party or for lost profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages, howsoever arising, even if The Chemical Company has been advised of the possibility of such damages.