Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Polypropylene (PP)

Identification

Product name: Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Polypropylene
Product code: HFFR-PP23
Recommended use: Electrical components, appliance housings, automotive parts, consumer electronics
Supplier: SafePolymers Industries
Contact details: 1-800-555-0000, msds@safepolymers.com
Emergency contact: CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300
Manufacturing address: 88 Polymer Drive, Industrial Park, TX

Hazard Identification

Physical hazards: Pellets or granules do not pose acute dangers under normal handling but can create slipping hazards if spilled
Health hazards: Inhalation of dust during mechanical processing (cutting, grinding) can irritate the respiratory system
Environmental hazards: Not classified as hazardous, but large spills can cause physical obstruction in waterways
Signal word: None required
Pictograms: No pictograms mandated by GHS
Precautionary statements: Handle with care around moving machinery; minimize dust creation

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Polypropylene resin: 60-80% (CAS# 9003-07-0)
Magnesium hydroxide: 15-30% (CAS# 1309-42-8)
Phosphorus compound (ammonium polyphosphate): 5-15% (CAS# 68333-79-9)
Compatibilizer and process aids: 1-2% (proprietary, non-hazardous)
No halogens, antimony, or heavy metals present by design

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air; medical attention for persistent symptoms
Skin contact: Wash affected area with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Eye contact: Flush with large amounts of water; seek medical care for irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water; consult physician for large quantities
Burns (melted polymer): Cool with water, do not remove solidified plastic forcibly, get medical care

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable extinguishing media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable extinguishing media: Direct water streams can scatter molten product
Hazardous decomposition products: Incomplete combustion releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, phosphate fumes
Special protective equipment: Wear full bunker gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Specific hazards: Material self-extinguishes once flame source is removed, but heavy smoke possible in confined fire

Accidental Release Measures

Personal precautions: Avoid generation of dust, use gloves to handle hot or sharp fragments
Environmental precautions: Prevent spills from entering drains or natural waterways
Methods for containment: Sweep or vacuum up pellets for reuse or disposal; avoid creating dust clouds
Cleanup procedures: Shovel into labeled containers, wash spill site with water after removal

Handling and Storage

Handling: Work with the material in well-ventilated spaces to reduce exposure to dust from machining; avoid eating or drinking near handling areas
Storage: Keep in original or approved containers in dry, cool spaces away from direct sunlight and incompatible materials; stack only as high as permitted for pallets; seal bags and hoppers tightly
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents
Hygiene measures: Wash hands after use, keep protective gear clean

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering controls: Good local exhaust at processing or filling stations reduces airborne dust
Personal protection for routine use: Safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, long sleeves
Respiratory protection: Dust mask for high-dust tasks, such as pellet transfer
Thermal protection: Heat-resistant gloves if handling hot/melted product
Eye protection: Safety goggles for grinding or cutting
Exposure limits: Magnesium hydroxide: OSHA PEL is 15 mg/m³ total dust; no specific limits for the polymer or phosphorus additive

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White or gray pellets; powdery fines possible from abrasion
Odor: Neutral, plastic-like
Melting point: 160–170°C
Boiling point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Flash point: >350°C
Explosive properties: Not explosive
Vapor pressure: Not relevant at standard conditions
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Density: 0.95–1.10 g/cm³
Auto-ignition temperature: Above 400°C
Partition coefficient: Not determined

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical stability: Maintains structure in normal ambient and intended processing conditions
Hazardous reactions: No dangerous polymerization under processing
Reactivity: Stable; reacts only with strong oxidizers
Decomposition products: Thermal decomposition emits carbon oxides, phosphate fumes, magnesium oxide
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizers, acids may degrade product over time

Toxicological Information

Acute toxicity: No components in the blend are identified as acutely toxic under GHS criteria
Chronic effects: Long-term occupational exposure to dust can aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions
Skin corrosion/irritation: Not irritating unless in contact with hot, melted product
Eye damage/irritation: Dust or powder may cause mechanical irritation
Sensitization: No known sensitization reports
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, OSHA, or NTP

Ecological Information

Eco-toxicity: Polypropylene granules aren’t expected to be acutely toxic to aquatic life, but microplastics remain a broader environmental concern
Persistence and degradability: Slowly degrades in the environment; flame retardant additives may accumulate
Mobility in soil: Pellets and residues don’t migrate easily; risk of ingestion by wildlife exists
Bioaccumulation potential: Additives show low tendency for bioaccumulation, but breakdown of large plastic particles into microplastics continues to raise environmental worries
Other information: Collection and controlled re-use or recycling of scrap are encouraged to reduce waste impacts

Disposal Considerations

Disposal method: Send uncontaminated scrap to plastics recyclers whenever possible
Regulated disposal: Large or contaminated quantities should go to licensed solid waste facilities
Incineration: Incinerate only in authorized facilities, as combustion releases phosphate residues
Disposal of packaging: Clean bags and liners may be recycled; soiled ones need landfill or incineration
Do not dump into environment or waterways

Transport Information

UN number: Not regulated
Transport hazard class: Not classified
Packing group: No restrictions
Special precautions: Protect bags from tearing or crushing
Transport in bulk: Keep covered and contained to minimize dust
Labeling: No hazard labels required; mark as “plastic resin” for carrier identification
Sea, air, road, and rail: Safe across modes; no specific legal transport hazard

Regulatory Information

OSHA status: Not hazardous
TSCA status: Components are listed or meet TSCA requirements
RoHS compliance: Free from halogens, antimony, lead, cadmium, mercury, and other restricted substances
REACH status: Additives are pre-registered or fully registered where required
Other regulations: Not subject to SARA Title III, CERCLA, or other US federal reporting; observe state and local requirements
Label requirements: None required under current US, EU, or China GHS systems