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Chemical Name: N-Butyl Methacrylate
Common Synonyms: Butyl methacrylate, 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, butyl ester
Chemical Formula: C8H14O2
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a fruity, penetrating odor
Uses: Often shows up in the production of polymers and resins, especially where flexibility in plastics or adhesives matters, and has a long-standing use in surface coatings and specialty paints.
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid, skin irritant, serious eye irritant
Hazard Statements: Flammable liquid and vapor; may cause skin irritation and allergic skin reaction; causes serious eye irritation; vapor may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Precautionary Measures: Keep away from heat sources, sparks, and open flame; avoid breathing vapors or mist; prevent contact with skin and eyes; use proper protective gear in any situation involving handling or cleaning up spills.
Main Ingredient: N-Butyl Methacrylate, nearly pure for most industrial applications
Stabilizers: Usually contains small amounts of phenolic-type inhibitors, which help prevent undesired polymerization during storage or transport.
Typical Impurities: Minor traces of methacrylic acid, butyl alcohol, and related acrylate or methacrylate species can crop up from manufacturing processes.
Inhalation: Move the affected person to fresh air; keep them comfortable and monitor for delayed symptoms, since breathing in high concentrations causes headaches, dizziness or respiratory irritation.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing promptly; wash exposed skin with soap and plenty of water; sensitized individuals sometimes report rash or itching, so medical attention can be required for persistent reactions.
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with running water for many minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; irritation demands quick action for best results.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly and drink plenty of water; do not induce vomiting; seek medical advice if significant quantities are swallowed.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or CO2; avoid water jet as it can spread burning liquid.
Fire Hazards: Vapors form explosive mixtures with air, and containers exposed to fire tend to rupture from pressure buildup; decomposition may generate irritating and hazardous fumes, including carbon oxides.
Protective Measures: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full-protection gear, since combustion can overwhelm with intense heat and toxic fumes.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel; ventilate area, avoid breathing vapors, and prevent skin or eye contact using gloves and goggles.
Spill Cleanup: Absorb leak or spill using non-combustible materials such as sand or vermiculite, and transfer into proper waste containers for disposal; larger spills benefit from diking and environmental precautions to shut down entry to drains or waterways.
Environmental Concerns: Runoff or uncontrolled discharge can harm aquatic environments, so keeping spill response materials handy is wise.
Handling: Only handle in cool, well-ventilated spaces; grounding and bonding containers helps control static discharge; avoid any friction or shock since it's easy to trigger ignition.
Storage: Store in a tightly sealed, properly labeled drum or tank away from direct sunlight, oxidizers, acids, and any ignition source; room temperature works but minimize temperature fluctuations; stabilized product reduces risk of spontaneous polymerization.
Engineering Controls: Effective local exhaust ventilation minimizes airborne concentrations; enclosure or isolation reduces spill and vapor exposure.
Respiratory Protection: Wear an approved organic vapor respirator in poorly ventilated settings.
Eye and Face Protection: Use safety goggles, chemical splash shields, or face shield as appropriate for the scale of work.
Skin Protection: Protective gloves, lab coats or coveralls prevent direct contact; special care for those with known chemical sensitivities.
Work Practice Controls: Regularly launder contaminated clothing and monitor surfaces for accidental residue.
State: Liquid
Color: Colorless
Odor: Fruity, strong odor typical of acrylate esters
Boiling Point: Approximately 163°C (325°F)
Melting Point: -75°C
Flash Point: Nearly 46°C (115°F), so fires start easier than many expect.
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature
Solubility: Miscible with many organic solvents, low solubility in water
Viscosity: Thin, flows readily
Density: Around 0.89 g/cm³
Chemical Stability: Remains stable in ordinary conditions if kept cool and out of the sun; unstable at high temperatures or if stabilizer is depleted.
Reactivity: Reacts strongly with oxidizing agents, acids, and bases; undergoes rapid polymerization triggered by heat, light, or contaminants.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Can generate carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating acrylate fumes as it breaks down.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, and eye exposure all represent risks for short-term and long-term health.
Acute Effects: Inhalation can bring headaches, nausea, and dizziness; skin contact often leads to irritation or sensitization; eyes burn and water upon exposure.
Chronic Effects: Repeated skin exposure raises odds of dermatitis or allergic response; long-term inhalation in occupational settings calls for close monitoring.
Carcinogenicity: Not recognized as a cancer risk for people by major agencies, but always best to prevent unnecessary exposure.
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic life, especially fish and invertebrates, so direct release to surface water endangers local habitats.
Persistence and Degradability: Not likely to persist long-term in the environment, tends to degrade by sunlight and natural processes, but breakdown can produce harmful intermediates.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low-moderate, but precaution matters because impurities or metabolites can behave unpredictably.
Soil Mobility: Relatively mobile, so accidental discharge risks groundwater contamination over time.
Wastes: Collect in tightly sealed containers; consult national or local hazardous waste authorities to determine permitted disposal practices.
Incineration: Burning in a controlled, approved facility can reduce risk of release, but uncontrolled burning or draining down the sink seldom turns out safe.
Recycling: Residual product can occasionally get recycled by reclamation services that process methacrylate-based waste streams.
UN Shipping Name: N-Butyl Methacrylate
Transport Hazard Class: Flammable liquid
Packing Group: III (low to moderate danger)
Labels: Containers deserve bold, clear labels indicating hazardous contents for emergency teams.
Special Precautions: Maintain upright positioning and secure bottles or drums to prevent tipping, since leaks can turn into a bigger situation quickly.
Workplace Exposure Limits: Some countries’ agencies set workplace air limits; these might run around 50 ppm, but it's smart to check local requirements.
Environmental Controls: Releases demand reporting in many regions; wastewater and air quality rules might restrict routine disposal methods.
Worker Protection: Provisions for emergency eye washing, shower access, and employee education remain top priorities for any shop or plant using the chemical.
