Document ZBm7D5vbjzg8xxpQRvMYbrbeJ
Monsanto
fPOM 1LOC T,*' St. Louis 77, Missouri
cc
0*TE May 21, 1965
Su BJECT
Toxicity and Hazards & Physical Constants Data
BEfEB'-NCE
TC Mr. . Wheeler General Offices
Attached is section on Toxicity and Hazards and Physical Constants Data for Tentative Process P-1367, entitled "Production of Ethylene/
Vinyl Chloride Copolymer for Pigment Binder". by M.E. Gibbs & J.H. Brown,
dated February 25, 19o5, Job No. 4575.
ds att/
Dolores Sisson
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8. Tensile Properties
The dry polymer is stabilized with 0.5-pound Advastab CH300 and 0.1$ Santowhlte powder, mill rolled, and molded into 0.060-inch thick sheets. Tensile specimens are cut and measured on an Instron tester at 5 inches per minute crosshead speed according to ASTM test D412-51T.
9* Mechanical Stability
This test subjects a 40.0 g., filtered sample of E/VC1 copolymer latex suspension to a shearing force exerted by a 1-inch metal disc under a load of 6 kg., rotating at 1000 rpm., in contact with a polyethylene surface. The sample container temperature is held constant at 35#C. by circulating water through the Jacket. The test is timed for 20 minutes. Following this, the sample is filtered through a 200 mesh screen. About 300 ml. of water is used in transferring the sample and washing the coagulum retained on the filter. The coagulum. formed is dried on the screen at 95-100C. for at least 30 minutes. The weight of coagulum is a measure of sample stability.
TOXICITY AND HAZARDS
A. Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl chloride is a flammable liquid and a dangerous fire hazard. Its vapors form flaranable mixtures with air at all temperatures down to 20F. The limits of inflammability are 4-22$ by volume in air. 10$ vinyl chloride is dangerous to life of animals in from 30-60 minutes of exposure, whereas 5$ causes symptoms in less than an hour. Vinyl chloride is stored in a cool, ventilated area away from open flame, acute fire hazards or powerful oxidizing agents. Personnel exposed to it should heed the warning of dizziness and dis orientation, and remove themselves at once from air contaminated with it.t5)
B. Ethylene
No appreciable reaction occurs in ethylene at 2000 atmospheres below 100C. and in ethylene at 250*C. below about 500 atmospheres. Nevertheless, even under
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these conditions, an uncontrollable reaction will propagate if by some mischance it is initiated. Ethylene is only safe from such propagations inside limiting conditions of which the following are examples:
Pressure
1000 atm.
400 atm.
200 atm.
Temperature
20C.
100C.
210C.
The flammability limits of ethylene with oxygen are
2.9-79.9^.by volume and with air are 2.75-28.656 by volume .^4)
C. Ammonium Persulfate
Contact of ammonium persulfate with other material may cause fire or explosion.
POLLUTION CONTROL
The off-gas from the reacton may be recycled to subsequent batches or is flared to eliminate atmospheric pollution and an explosion hazard. Because of the relatively high density of vinyl chloride gas, high concentrations can accumulate near an atmospheric vent without a flare.
REFERENCES
1. Bovey, F. A., I. M. Kotthoff, A. I. Medalia, and E. J. Meehan, Emulsion Polymerization. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York U955)-
2. Deex, 0. S., Progress Report, Central Research Department, September 1964, E/VC1 Synthesis,
Characterization and Applications, Job No. 2602, Issue 8.
5. Deex, 0. S., Progress Report, Central Research Department, December 1964, E/VC1 Synthesis and Applications, Job No. 2602, Issue 5b.
4. Renfrew, A., and P. Morgan, Polythene. The Technology and Uses of Polymers. Interscience Publishers, Inc.7 New York TT95>7).
5. Sax, N. Irving, Handbook of Dangerous Materials, Reinhold Publishing Corporation7 New York (19^1;
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