Safety Data Sheet Quick Reference

Quick reference for essential safety information for common chemicals used in metallography laboratories.

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IMPORTANT: This is a QUICK REFERENCE only. This is NOT a substitute for complete Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Always refer to the complete SDS provided by the manufacturer for comprehensive safety information, handling procedures, and emergency response details.

Nitric Acid (HNO₃)

CAS: 7697-37-2

Hazards:

Corrosive, oxidizing, toxic

Storage:

Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from organic materials, reducing agents, and metals.

Handling:

Use in fume hood. Wear acid-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Skin: Remove contaminated clothing, flush with water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention.

Disposal:

Neutralize with base (sodium carbonate) before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

CAS: 7647-01-0

Hazards:

Corrosive, toxic, releases toxic fumes

Storage:

Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from bases, oxidizing agents, and metals.

Handling:

Use in fume hood. Wear acid-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Skin: Remove contaminated clothing, flush with water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention.

Disposal:

Neutralize with base (sodium carbonate) before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Hydrofluoric Acid (HF)

CAS: 7664-39-3

Hazards:

Highly corrosive, toxic, can cause severe burns, systemic poisoning

Storage:

Store in plastic containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from glass, metals, and bases.

Handling:

EXTREME CAUTION. Use in fume hood with proper ventilation. Wear acid-resistant gloves (neoprene or nitrile), safety goggles, face shield, and lab coat. Have calcium gluconate gel available.

First Aid:

IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION REQUIRED. Skin: Flush with water, apply calcium gluconate gel. Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention. Inhalation: Move to fresh air, seek immediate medical attention.

Disposal:

Neutralize with calcium carbonate or lime. Follow strict local regulations. HF requires special handling.

Picric Acid

CAS: 88-89-1

Hazards:

Explosive when dry, toxic, flammable

Storage:

Store wet (with at least 10% water). Keep in cool, dry area away from heat, sparks, and flames. Store separately from other chemicals.

Handling:

Keep wet at all times. Wear gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid friction, shock, and heat.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Wash with soap and water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention.

Disposal:

Keep wet. Contact hazardous waste disposal service. Do not allow to dry.

Ethanol

CAS: 64-17-5

Hazards:

Flammable, toxic

Storage:

Store in cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and flames. Keep containers tightly closed.

Handling:

Use in well-ventilated area. Wear gloves and safety goggles. Avoid open flames and ignition sources.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Wash with soap and water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention.

Disposal:

Follow local regulations. Can often be disposed of as flammable waste.

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

CAS: 1310-73-2

Hazards:

Corrosive, caustic, toxic

Storage:

Store in cool, dry area. Keep away from acids, water, and moisture. Store in tightly closed containers.

Handling:

Wear alkali-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Use in well-ventilated area.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Skin: Remove contaminated clothing, flush with water. Seek medical attention.

Disposal:

Neutralize with acid before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Potassium Dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇)

CAS: 7778-50-9

Hazards:

Oxidizing, toxic, carcinogenic, environmental hazard

Storage:

Store in cool, dry area away from reducing agents and organic materials. Keep containers tightly closed.

Handling:

Use in fume hood. Wear gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of dust.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Wash with soap and water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention.

Disposal:

Follow strict local regulations. Chromium compounds require special disposal procedures.

Copper Chloride (CuCl₂)

CAS: 7447-39-4

Hazards:

Toxic, irritant, environmental hazard

Storage:

Store in cool, dry area. Keep containers tightly closed.

Handling:

Wear gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of dust.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Wash with soap and water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Disposal:

Follow local regulations. Copper compounds may require special disposal.

Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃)

CAS: 7705-08-0

Hazards:

Corrosive, toxic, irritant

Storage:

Store in cool, dry area. Keep containers tightly closed. Hygroscopic - keep away from moisture.

Handling:

Wear gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Use in well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Remove contaminated clothing, flush with water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Disposal:

Neutralize before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH)

CAS: 1336-21-6

Hazards:

Corrosive, toxic, releases ammonia vapors

Storage:

Store in cool, well-ventilated area. Keep containers tightly closed. Store away from acids.

Handling:

Use in fume hood. Wear gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of vapors.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Flush with water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Disposal:

Neutralize with acid before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

CAS: 7722-84-1

Hazards:

Oxidizing, corrosive, can decompose violently

Storage:

Store in cool, dark area away from heat and organic materials. Keep containers tightly closed. Store away from reducing agents.

Handling:

Wear gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Use in well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not mix with organic materials.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Flush with water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Disposal:

Dilute before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄)

CAS: 7664-93-9

Hazards:

Highly corrosive, toxic, dehydrating

Storage:

Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from bases, oxidizing agents, and organic materials.

Handling:

Use in fume hood. Wear acid-resistant gloves, safety goggles, face shield, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Skin: Remove contaminated clothing, flush with water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek immediate medical attention.

Disposal:

Neutralize with base (sodium carbonate) before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Acetic Acid

CAS: 64-19-7

Hazards:

Corrosive, flammable, toxic

Storage:

Store in cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and flames. Keep containers tightly closed.

Handling:

Use in well-ventilated area. Wear gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Flush with water. Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Disposal:

Neutralize before disposal. Follow local regulations.

Glycerol

CAS: 56-81-5

Hazards:

Low hazard, may cause mild irritation

Storage:

Store in cool, dry area. Keep containers tightly closed.

Handling:

Wear gloves and safety goggles. Generally low hazard but avoid prolonged contact.

First Aid:

Eyes: Flush with water. Skin: Wash with soap and water. Generally low hazard.

Disposal:

Follow local regulations. Generally can be disposed of as regular waste.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES

  • This is a QUICK REFERENCE only. Always refer to complete Safety Data Sheets (SDS) from manufacturers.
  • Have emergency eyewash stations and safety showers readily accessible.
  • Know the location of fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
  • Always work in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods when handling chemicals.
  • Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as specified in SDS.
  • Never mix incompatible chemicals (e.g., acids and bases, oxidizers and reducers).
  • Store chemicals according to compatibility groups.
  • Keep emergency contact numbers readily available.
  • Report all accidents and incidents immediately.
  • Follow local regulations for chemical storage, handling, and disposal.

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