Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – TPE Flame Retardant

Identification

Product Name: TPE Flame Retardant Blend
Synonyms: Flame-retardant thermoplastic elastomer, FR TPE
Manufacturer: [Your Manufacturer Name]
Address: [Your Manufacturing Address]
Contact Number: [Your Hotline]
Product Use: Used in wire coatings, cable insulation, automotive parts, electronic housings, and toys for self-extinguishing features
Emergency Contact: [Emergency Contact Number]

Hazard Identification

Physical Hazards: Solid pellet or granule; burns may release gases
Health Hazards: Inhalation of dust causes irritation to nose and throat; direct skin contact may cause slight discomfort; dust in eyes can cause redness or watering
Environmental Hazards: Dust or spilled granules increase slipperiness; fragments may threaten aquatic life if disposed of improperly
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS globally, but components like decabromodiphenyl ether may pose chronic risks
Signal Word: Warning for thermal decomposition products

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Polymer Matrix: Styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer, polypropylene blend
Flame Retardant Additive: Typically decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPE) 10-30%; antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) 1-5%
Other Additives: Processing aids, calcium carbonate, colorants
Hazardous Ingredients: DBDPE (CAS No. 1163-19-5), antimony trioxide (CAS No. 1309-64-4)
Impurities: Usually none above 0.1% threshold for declaration

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; rinse mouth if irritation occurs; seek medical attention if symptoms persist like coughing or wheezing
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing; see a doctor if redness or rash continues
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with running water for a minimum of fifteen minutes; lift eyelids to remove particles; seek medical help for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Never force vomiting; rinse mouth and drink water; consult a doctor for large ingestions or persistent discomfort
Thermal Burns: Cool affected area with plenty of water; remove molten polymer only if not sticking to skin; medical attention is vital for severe burns

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, foam, water spray; avoid direct water jets on burning polymer
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen bromide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, antimony oxides, toxic smoke
Special Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), full protective suit
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Remove containers from fire area if safe; use water spray for cooling; keep out of smoke plume
Unusual Fire Hazards: Dust may form explosive mixture with air in extreme cases

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, protective gloves, safety glasses; avoid inhalation and skin contact
Environmental Precautions: Prevent pellets or powder entering drains, sewers, or waterways
Cleanup Methods: Sweep or scoop up spillage; collect in proper containers for recycling or disposal
Secondary Spills: If molten, allow to cool then physically remove solids
Spillage Risk: In production, dust generation or hot material spillage can be significant

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use local exhaust for dust extraction; avoid generating airborne dust; keep containers sealed when not in use
Precautions: Clean spills promptly; avoid eating or drinking in handling areas; wash hands after handling
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place; keep away from direct sunlight, flame, and strong acids/bases
Packaging: Store in labeled, tightly-closed containers or bags; use pallets to keep off direct contact with floors
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, high heat

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Antimony trioxide: 0.5 mg/m³ (ACGIH TLV); DBDPE not regulated but minimize exposure
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, dust collection panels
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety goggles or glasses, cut-resistant gloves, dust mask or NIOSH-approved respirator, protective clothing for bulk handling
Special Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after use; no eating or smoking in work area; clean work clothes frequently

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Pellets or granules; solid
Color: White to off-white, may be colored by pigment
Odor: Little or no odor
Melting Point: 120-180°C (dependent on base polymer)
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Flash Point: >350°C (estimated)
Density: 1.15-1.40 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at 20°C
pH: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient: Not established

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and recommended handling conditions
Thermal Decomposition: Begins above 250°C; forms brominated organics, antimony compounds, and carbon monoxide
Incompatibility: Strong oxidative agents, strong acids
Hazardous Reactions: Burning releases toxic gases
Polymerization: Does not undergo hazardous polymerization

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Skin and eye contact, and inhalation of dust during processing
Acute Effects: Slight irritation of skin, eyes, and respiratory tract from dust
Chronic Effects: Long-term inhalation of antimony trioxide dust can affect lungs; persistent exposure to decabromodiphenyl ether linked with liver and thyroid changes in animal studies
Carcinogenicity: Antimony trioxide classified as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic) by IARC
Reproductive Toxicity: No significant data from formulated product; individual flame retardant chemicals sometimes flagged in long-term studies
Sensitization: No evidence of skin sensitization with finished compound

Ecological Information

Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; remains in environment for extended periods
Bioaccumulation Potential: Flame retardant chemicals may accumulate in living organisms; risk to aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates
Mobility in Soil: Low for bulk pellets or granules; particles can be distributed by runoff
Aquatic Toxicity: Hazardous for aquatic life at high concentrations; avoid release to waterways
Other Adverse Effects: Release of flame retardant contamination to water triggers ecosystem concern; always collect waste properly for disposal

Disposal Considerations

Waste Management: Collect all unused or spilled product; segregate from regular trash where possible
Disposal Methods: Disposal by licensed facility as prescribed for non-hazardous or hazardous industrial waste according to local requirements; incineration under controlled conditions to avoid brominated dioxin formation
Recycling: Mechanical recycling of clean scrap can be feasible; do not recycle contaminated material with household plastics
Do Not: Flush in drains, waterways, or landfill without permission from authorities

Transport Information

UN Number: Not assigned for most FR TPE grades
Proper Shipping Name: Thermoplastic elastomer compound, non-hazardous (for most categories)
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated for ground, sea, or air in most jurisdictions
Packing Group: Not required
Special Transport Precautions: Protect against physical damage, excessive heat, moisture during transportation; ensure packaging prevents spillage
Environmental Hazards During Transit: Accidental release of pellets or powder near waterways can trigger cleanup actions

Regulatory Information

Global Inventories: Components usually listed on TSCA (US), REACH (EU), DSL (Canada), ENCS (Japan)
Labeling Requirements: Not a hazardous product under many regional regulations; yet advise handling with care
Workplace Safety: Follow OSHA, WHMIS, or local equivalent for labeling, SDS and worker training
Other Standards: RoHS may restrict use of certain brominated flame retardants; end users should verify compliance
Restrictions: Some regions phase down or restrict brominated flame retardants in consumer or electronic goods
Environmental Release Reporting: Large spills or accidental releases of certain ingredients may need authorities’ notification