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Product Name: Nitrocellulose with Ethanol
Chemical Family: Nitrated cellulose in a solution of ethanol
Recommended Use: Industrial coatings, inks, lacquers, propellants
Supplier Details: Manufacturer name, contact address, emergency contact phone
Synonyms: Cellulose nitrate, guncotton, collodion cotton
CAS Number: 9004-70-0 (Nitrocellulose), 64-17-5 (Ethanol)
Emergency Overview: Flammable solid suspended in highly flammable liquid
Classification: Flammable solid, flammable liquid, explosives risk under some conditions
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, may cause drowsiness or dizziness, highly flammable,
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; no smoking; wear eye protection, use explosion-proof equipment. Inhalation, skin, and eye contact risk
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Potential Health Effects: Headache, nausea, irritation, coughing, risk of unconsciousness at high concentrations
Nitrocellulose: 60–75%
Chemical Formula: (C6H7O2(ONO2)3)
Ethanol: ≥25% by weight
Chemical Formula (Ethanol): C2H6O
Other Components: Trace water, phthalate plasticizers under 1%, stabilizers 0–2%
Impurities: Nitration byproducts at low levels, trace diethyl ether in some grades
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep patient warm and at rest; seek medical attention for persistent symptoms
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash with mild soap and water thoroughly
Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with running water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present, keep rinsing
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water, seek immediate medical advice
Symptoms: Burning sensation, irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea from vapors; delayed pulmonary edema from large exposure
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam
Unsuitable Media: Water jets can spread fire
Special Hazards: Vapor-air mixtures can explode; nitrocellulose may detonate if confined or heated under pressure
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Advice for Firefighters: Cool exposed containers, stay upwind of fire, evacuate unprotected persons
Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, toxic and irritating fumes
Explosion Risk: High at elevated temperatures or if dried out; handle with caution near sources of heat or sparks
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, use non-sparking tools, ventilate area thoroughly, avoid inhalation or contact
Protective Equipment: Protective gloves, splash goggles, flame-resistant clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into water supplies, drains, soils
Methods for Clean-Up: Collect with non-combustible absorbents; store in approved, closed waste containers; label and dispose in line with local regulations
Additional Measures: Eliminate all ignition sources immediately; avoid dry nitrocellulose dust accumulation
Handling: Use spark-proof tools, ground equipment, handle in explosion-proof area; avoid breathing vapors or dust; keep containers tightly closed
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight and incompatible substances like acids, bases, oxidizers
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers, reducing agents, heat, direct flame
Storage Condition: Below 35°C, away from sources of ignition, store in original packaging only
Packing Materials: Use only approved, fire-resistant containers; keep away from ammonium salts and alkaline substances
Other Precautions: Segregate from food and feed; do not store near exits, passageways, or high-traffic areas
Exposure Limits (Ethanol): ACGIH TLV 1000 ppm, OSHA PEL 1000 ppm
Exposure Limits (Nitrocellulose): Not assigned, minimize dust/vapor exposure
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, intrinsically safe exhaust fans
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, flame-resistant gloves, solvent-resistant apron or coverall
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirators for solvent vapors or dust
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after use, avoid eating or drinking in work area
Monitoring: Regular air sampling for vapor levels; check integrity of ducting and hoods
Appearance: Viscous, clear to milky white solution
Odor: Strong, characteristic alcohol scent; faint ether smell possible
pH: Not applicable
Melting/Freezing Point: Nitrocellulose decomposes before melting; solution remains liquid below 0°C
Boiling Point (Ethanol): 78°C
Flash Point: 13°C to 18°C (closed cup, highly flammable)
Evaporation Rate: Rapid; volatility due to ethanol content
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: 3.3%–19% (Ethanol)
Vapor Pressure: High at room temperature
Solubility: Miscible with alcohols, partially soluble in water
Partition Coefficient: Not determined for mixture
Autoignition Temperature: 180–190°C
Decomposition Temperature: 150°C+
Viscosity: Ranges from low to high, depending on solution grade
Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature under normal handling; detonates under extreme heat, pressure, or when dried
Reactivity: Exothermic reaction with oxidizers, strong acids, and bases
Hazardous Reactions: May self-ignite or detonate if heated or shock-exposed
Conditions to Avoid: Static electricity, open flames, high temperatures, mechanical shock
Incompatible Materials: Acids, bases, oxidizers, reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, CO, CO2, toxic vapors
Acute Toxicity: Ethanol: oral LD50 (rat) ~ 7000 mg/kg, inhalation LC50 (rat) > 20000 ppm/10 hr; Nitrocellulose: low acute toxicity, primarily physical hazard
Skin Contact: May cause drying, redness
Eye Contact: Irritation, temporary blurred vision, stinging
Inhalation: Headache, respiratory tract irritation, dizziness, central nervous system depression
Chronic Effects: No evidence of carcinogenicity; chronic exposure to ethanol vapors can damage liver, cause neurological effects
Allergic Sensitization: Rare, but not impossible with repeated skin exposure
Other Data: Not classified as mutagenic or carcinogenic per IARC, NTP, OSHA
Ecotoxicity: Ethanol moderately toxic to aquatic organisms in high volumes; nitrocellulose insoluble and unlikely to bioaccumulate
Persistence and Degradability: Ethanol: readily biodegradable; Nitrocellulose: slow to degrade, persists in soil
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low for both components
Mobility in Soil: Ethanol highly mobile; nitrocellulose binds to particulates
Aquatic Impact: Spills may deplete oxygen in water, harming fish and invertebrates
Additional Information: Small releases unlikely to cause long-term harm; do not release into drains or waterways
Waste Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste; collect in appropriate safety containers and incinerate at approved facilities
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse, puncture, submit to permitted hazardous waste handlers
Special Precautions: Dispose in compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations; do not landfill if local regulation prohibits
UN Number (Waste): 2555 (Nitrocellulose, wetted with not less than 25% ethanol)
UN Number: 2555
Proper Shipping Name: Nitrocellulose Solution, flammable
Hazard Class: 4.1 (flammable solid), also meets 3 (flammable liquid) criteria
Packing Group: II
Labeling Requirements: Flammable solid, keep away from heat/sparks
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Precautions for Transport: Transport only in approved containers; do not stack; keep away from oxidizers and sources of ignition; trained persons only
OSHA: Hazardous chemical as defined by Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Status: Components listed
CERCLA Reportable Quantity: Not listed for nitrocellulose; ethanol not applicable
SARA Title III: Fire hazard
California Proposition 65: Ethanol (alcoholic beverage consumption) listed
EU Regulations: Classified as flammable, hazardous for supply
International Inventories: Nitrocellulose and ethanol listed on most inventories (EINECS, DSL, AICS)
Industry Restrictions: Procurement and use may require end-user registration with regulatory bodies
