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Chemical Name: Zirconium metal powder
CAS Number: 7440-67-7
Appearance: Gray metallic powder
Odor: Odorless
Common Uses: Additive in alloy production, pyrotechnics, and chemical synthesis
Physical State: Powder, prone to airborne dispersion during handling
Main Risks: Highly flammable in dry powder form, especially in contact with air or moisture
Fire/Explosion: Can ignite with static, friction, or even spontaneous heating
Inhalation: Respiratory tract irritation and metal fume fever possible
Skin Contact: May cause irritation with repeated exposure
Health Hazards: Long-term inhaling can damage lungs; fumes from fires aggravate asthma
Environment: Risk to aquatic life if fine particles spread to water sources
Main Ingredient: Zirconium (typically >99%)
Impurities: Trace amounts of hafnium, iron, oxygen
Alloying Elements: Possible traces depending on manufacturing process
Particle Size: Fine-grain, usually under 100 microns diameter, which greatly increases combustibility
Inhalation: Move exposed individual to fresh air, keep them calm; seek medical help if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; remove any contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with clean water for several minutes, avoid rubbing
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; get medical help right away
Fire Fumes: Anyone exposed to combustion byproducts needs urgent medical evaluation, especially those with asthma or COPD
Extinguishing Media: Only use dry sand, Class D extinguishers, or graphite powder; water or CO2 may spread fire
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should suit up in full protective gear, including a metabolic mask
Specific Hazards: Burning zirconium creates intense white light and hot sparks; vaporized metal becomes highly reactive
Precaution: Block off affected area, remove flammable material nearby; remember fine powder can travel with air currents and start secondary fires
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected people; ventilate area well
Cleanup Method: Use non-sparking tools; sweep up powder gently to avoid creating airborne dust; never use compressed air
Containment: Store collected powder in sealed, flameproof containers; label waste as flammable
Further Steps: Wash down area with soap and water after collection, keeping powder damp to prevent dust
Handling: Always ground all equipment to prevent static discharge; avoid friction, impact, and exposure to flame
Storage: Keep containers sealed, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place; separate from acids, oxidizers, halogens, and moisture
Container Requirements: Metal cans or drums with tight-fitting lids preferred, clearly marked for flammability
Operational Precautions: Only trained staff should access storage areas
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, isolation rooms for large-scale work
Personal Protection: NIOSH-approved respirator for fine dust; gloves and long sleeves essential; safety goggles and face shields for pouring or mixing
Hygiene: No eating, drinking, or smoking around powder; always wash hands before breaks or shift change
Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV for zirconium dust is 5 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA); follow OSHA or similar workplace exposure guidelines
Color: Dark gray
Odor: None
Melting Point: Around 1,852°C
Boiling Point: Approximately 4,137°C
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Density: About 6.5 g/cm³
Combustibility: Easily ignited as powder; moderate hazard as bulk solid
Reactivity: Reacts with oxidizing agents, acids, and halogens
Chemical Stability: Stable under dry, inert atmosphere
Reactivity: Reacts violently on exposure to moist air, acids, or oxidizers
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flames, moisture, contact with halogens
Decomposition Products: Metal oxides and possibly flammable hydrogen when reacting with acids
Polymerization: Not a hazard with this material
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, or eye contact
Immediate Effects: Dust causes coughing, throat soreness, skin dryness, and eye irritation
Chronic Exposure: May damage lungs; metal fume fever from inhaled vapors
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as cancer-causing according to current studies
Additional Effects: Long-term exposure can worsen asthma or bronchitis in sensitive people
Aquatic Risk: Fine powders can choke or poison aquatic organisms
Persistence: Zirconium is not biodegradable
Bioaccumulation: No strong evidence of buildup in wildlife reported
Soil Impact: Large spills may reduce soil fertility due to toxicity to microorganisms
Waste Handling: Collect powder and solids in sealed containers, store as hazardous waste
Treatment Options: Preferred method is chemical stabilization before landfill
Incineration: Not recommended due to risk of violent ignition
Local Regulations: Comply with hazardous waste laws regarding metal dust and flammable solids
Classification: Flammable solid
Packing: Use spark-proof, sealed metal drums; protect from shocks
Transport Precautions: Secure loads in dry, ventilated containers; avoid stacking that could cause friction
Shipping Codes: Must be declared to freight handlers; no air shipments without special arrangements due to ignition risk
Global Regulations: Recognized as hazardous by material safety authorities in the US, EU, and Asia
Workplace Standards: Must comply with OSHA, ACGIH, local guidelines for metal dust
Labeling: Must display flammability warnings and list health risks
Reporting: Accidental releases, fires, or injuries involving zirconium powder require notification under most safety laws
