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Product Name: Nitrostarch
Chemical Name: Nitrated Starch
SYNONYMS: Nitrated amylose, Dinitrostarch
CAS Number: 9005-25-8 (parent), specific nitrated forms do not always have unique CAS
Recommended Use: Used as a high-energy material in explosives
Supplier: Typically produced by chemical manufacturers with experience in energetic polymers; specific sources depend on regulations in jurisdiction
Emergency Contact: Poison Control, local fire department, chemical emergency services
Classification: Explosive, Unstable; Sensitizer; Eye, skin, and respiratory irritant
GHS Label Elements: Exploding bomb pictogram, signal word "Danger"
Main Hazards: Sudden detonation from shock, friction, heat, static electricity; possible asphyxiation in poorly ventilated areas due to decomposition gases
Precautionary Statements: Avoid impact and friction; store away from heat sources; avoid breathing dust; wear eye protection; keep away from materials that generate static
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system
Symptoms of Overexposure: Coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, skin redness, possible dizziness if inhaled in quantity
Chemical Composition: Nitrated polysaccharides (varies with preparation)
Purity: Typically 85–98% active nitrostarch, minor water content
Stabilizers: May include magnesium carbonate, sodium carbonate, or other mild bases to neutralize acids
Common Impurities: Sulfuric acid, unreacted starch, trace nitric acid
Decomposition Byproducts: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult; seek medical help if symptoms persist
Eye Contact: Flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if present; contact a physician
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water; seek immediate medical attention
Emergency Advice: Physicians should treat symptomatically, maintain airway and monitor for respiratory distress
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Large amounts of water; flood and soak material to prevent ignition and spread
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid dry chemical or carbon dioxide on large fires as these can worsen explosive hazards
Special Protective Equipment: Full protective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus
Hazardous Combustion Products: Toxic nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide
Advice for Firefighters: Approach from upwind; evacuate surrounding area; do not move containers if they have been exposed to heat; may detonate unpredictably
Explosion Hazard: Severe risk of detonation by heat, shock, or static. Avoid confined spaces
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, eliminate all sources of ignition, avoid breathing dust
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, basements; do not flush with water unless necessary for safety
Cleaning Methods: Use only non-sparking tools; pick up and collect in clean, dry, antistatic containers; avoid dry sweeping, gently dampen dust with water if needed; dispose in accordance with local laws
Decontamination: Ensure equipment and surfaces are rinsed and neutralized with a mild alkaline solution (e.g., sodium bicarbonate in water)
Handling: Minimize dust formation; handle in small quantities only; ground/bond all containers and equipment; use spark-resistant tools; prohibited to use near open flames or hot surfaces
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location; keep away from incompatible materials such as acids, oxidizers, reducing agents; strict temperature control, preferably below 30°C
Container Requirements: Use approved detonator or energetic material containers; keep tightly sealed; label clearly as “Explosive”
Security Measures: Limit access to authorized personnel; maintain inventory control; report losses immediately
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, bases, metal powders, organic solvents, reducing agents, and most combustible materials
Control of Exposure: Use local exhaust or general ventilation; static discharge protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established ACGIH or OSHA limits for nitrostarch; keep dust and particulate below 1 mg/m³ for safety
Eye Protection: Wear chemical splash goggles or face shield
Skin Protection: Use antistatic, flame-resistant gloves and full protective clothing
Respiratory Protection: Certified particulate or chemical respirator in areas with low ventilation
Other Protection: Emergency eyewash stations and showers in all work areas; regular training and drills for handling incidents
Appearance: White to off-white powder, can clump when damp
Odor: Slightly acidic, may resemble cellulose or starch
pH: Slightly acidic as prepared; neutralizes as residual acids are removed
Melting Point: Decomposes without melting; typically above 160°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Density: 1.6–1.7 g/cm³ (packed)
Solubility: Insoluble in water; may swell and break down slowly; decomposes under prolonged contact with water, especially in acidic or basic conditions
Decomposition Temperature: Rapid decomposition above 190°C
Explosive Properties: Powerful detonation under shock, friction, or heat
Chemical Stability: Unstable at high temperatures, sensitive to mechanical shock
Conditions to Avoid: Friction, impact, static discharge, exposure to sun, hot surfaces, open flames
Incompatible Materials: Acids, bases, alkali metals, reducing agents, organic solvents
Decomposition: Nitrogen oxides, ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Hazardous Reactions: Violent or explosive decomposition can occur on contact with strong acids, bases, or under heating
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Effects: Severe irritation to eyes, skin; coughing, headache, respiratory irritation if inhaled
Chronic Effects: No data for long-term effects; repeated exposure may result in sensitization or chronic bronchial irritation
Carcinogenicity: Nitrostarch not listed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Mutagenic or Teratogenic Effects: Not well studied; recommend minimizing exposure
LD50/LC50: Not precisely determined due to explosive nature; avoid all unnecessary contact
Aquatic Toxicity: Combination of nitrite ions, organic decomposition products can harm aquatic life; releases can lead to oxygen depletion
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down to simple organic compounds, but local conditions affect rate and completeness
Bioaccumulation: No evidence of significant accumulation in wildlife
Mobility: Not expected to migrate significantly in soil; risk increases near water sources if spillage occurs
Other Adverse Effects: Runoff or large spills may affect water bodies; best practice is to prevent uncontrolled releases
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect material using non-sparking, antistatic tools; neutralize with dilute alkaline solution if possible
Legal Requirements: Disposal must comply with national and local regulations on explosives
Disposal of Packaging: Packages contaminated with nitrostarch treated as hazardous waste; do not reuse; render inert before final disposal
Recommended Practice: Engage licensed hazardous waste haulers and qualified explosive materials handlers; incineration only in approved, permitted facilities
Do Not: Flush to sewer; dump in open landfills; burn in open air
UN Number: UN 1346 (Nitrostarch, dry)
Proper Shipping Name: NITROSTARCH, dry or wetted with less than 20% water
Transport Hazard Class: 1.1D (Explosives, high hazard)
Packing Group: I
Labels Required: Explosive (orange diamond), “Keep Away From Heat,” secondary labels per jurisdiction
Special Transport Precautions: Keep away from drivers’ compartments, separate from incompatibles, restrict access during transit, notify authorities as required
Regulatory Status: Transport subject to full hazardous materials and explosives law, may require escort or special permitting
Classification: Regulated under explosives and chemical safety law in all developed countries
OSHA: Covered by process safety and hazardous chemical storage standards
EPA: Subject to hazardous substance reporting and accidental release regulations;
International Regulations: Listed on most explosives registries; UN, IATA, and IMO special rules apply
National Inventories: Not permitted for general industrial or consumer use outside licensed facilities
Restrictions: Sale, possession, storage, and use restricted to certified and licensed persons; regular inspections and inventory reports required; reporting loss or theft mandatory
