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Name: Calcium Silicide Chemical Formula: CaSi₂ Appearance: Usually gray or dark gray solid, forms as lumps or powder Odor: Odorless CAS Number: 12013-56-8 Uses: Found in steel manufacturing, pyrotechnics, deoxidizer for metals Molecular Weight: About 96.25 g/mol Common Synonyms: Not many, but sometimes just called calcium silicon alloys
Physical Risks: Releases flammable and possibly explosive gases like hydrogen when in contact with moisture or acids Health Risks: Dust causes irritation to eyes, skin, and lungs; high exposures might worsen symptoms for individuals with respiratory conditions Environmental Risks: Harmful to aquatic life, not safe to wash down drains GHS Signal Word: Danger (due to potential to react with water and form hazardous gases) Main Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin and eye contact Fire Risk: Finely divided form catches fire easily in air, releases hazardous gases Explosion Risk: Fine powders present dust explosion danger, especially during handling or mixing with combustible materials Chronic Hazards: Prolonged exposure to dust may affect respiratory system
Principal Ingredient: Calcium Silicide (CaSi₂), usually over 90% by mass Trace Contaminants: Small amounts of iron, aluminum, and other silicides from industrial process Additives: None typical, unless modified for industry
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing. Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Inhalation: Move person into fresh air and keep at rest in a position that allows for comfortable breathing. If breathing difficulty or irritation continues, seek medical help. Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical assistance if large amount ingested or symptoms persist.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, graphite powder, or Class D fire extinguishers only. Water and foam are dangerous due to violent reaction with calcium silicide. Main Dangers in Fire: Burning releases toxic gases including silicon oxides and calcium oxides Protective Gear: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective suit Special Notes: Avoid using water or CO₂ extinguishers, which can react violently with the material
Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust. Wear mask or respirator, gloves, and eye protection Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff to soil, waterways, or drains. Sweep up gently without raising dust, and store in a sealable container Cleanup Methods: Use non-sparking tools, collect material for reuse or disposal according to local regulations Emergency Procedures: Restrict access to affected area, ventilate space, and clean up quickly to reduce risk of exposure or fire
Safe Handling: Avoid generating dust or breathing airborne particles. Don’t allow material to come in contact with water or acids. Use only in well-ventilated areas Hygiene Practices: Wash hands after handling, keep separate from food and drinks Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space away from incompatible materials like acids, moisture, and oxidizers. Keep containers tightly closed Storage Containers: Use air-tight, non-reactive containers, preferably metal drums or lined bins
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation and dust extraction systems reduce airborne exposure Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved dust mask or full-face respirator, especially in areas with poor air circulation Hand Protection: Nitrile or rubber gloves Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shields Body Protection: Lab coats or chemical resistant clothing, closed-toe shoes Limits: OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits for nuisance dust apply Monitoring: Regular air sampling and health checks in high-exposure workplaces
Appearance: Grayish, metallic lumps or coarse powder Odor: Odorless Melting Point: Between 1000 and 1200°C Boiling Point: Not precisely defined, material decomposes Solubility: Insoluble in water, though reacts violently to release hydrogen Density: About 2.5 to 2.7 g/cm³ Particle Size: Varies depending on manufacturing, from coarse granules to fine powder Other Properties: Conducts electricity, reacts violently with acids and moisture
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal dry storage conditions Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with moisture, oxidizing agents, acids, halogens Hazardous Products of Decomposition: Hydrogen gas and silicon oxides Dangerous Reactions: Violent reactions with water or humidity, sometimes explosive if finely divided Conditions to Avoid: Any environment where water vapor, acids or oxidizers are present
Likely Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, inhalation of dust Acute Health Effects: Dust irritates respiratory tract, eyes and skin; ingestion causes stomach upset Chronic Health Effects: Long-term exposure to dust could cause chronic inflammation of airways or worsen asthma Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC or OSHA Target Organs: Lungs, skin, eyes Special Populations: People with asthma or sensitive skin at greater risk
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to water-dwelling organisms; kills fish and aquatic invertebrates if released in large quantities Persistence and Degradability: Doesn’t break down rapidly in the environment Bioaccumulation: Not known to bioaccumulate in the food chain Further Impact: Disrupts local ecosystems if released to rivers or lakes; calcium and silicon by-products may upset water chemistry Soil Mobility: Tends to stay in place, though water can carry fine dust if not contained
Regulated Disposal: Classified as hazardous waste in many regions Reuse Options: Recycle as much as possible, especially in metallurgical processes Disposal Methods: Follow local regulations, ensure material does not contact water during transit or landfilling Environmental Cautions: Never wash down drains, avoid open dumping, and prevent entry to surface or groundwater Container Disposal: Clean and dispose following hazardous waste guidelines
Classification: Dangerous for transport by road, air, and sea Proper Shipping Name: Calcium Silicide Hazard Class: Often marked as 4.3 (Dangerous When Wet) due to hydrogen release risk Packing Group: III (low danger, but strict caution needed) Transport Cautions: Keep away from rain, damp environments, and reactive chemicals. Use sealed containers and regularly inspect packaging Loading/Unloading: Handle gently, minimize dropping or jarring of packages
Workplace Regulations: Subject to OSHA, EU REACH, and national worker protection laws Labeling: GHS-compliant hazard labels with pictograms for explosive/flammable risk and health hazards Reporting Requirements: Facilities storing large amounts may have to notify environmental agencies Hazard Communication: Employers required to provide safety training and information for employees working with or near the material Additional Controls: Emphasis on containment, emergency planning, and fire risk reduction in industrial regulations
