Material Safety Data Sheet
Stearic acid

ACC# 21873
Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification

MSDS Name: Stearic acid
Catalog Numbers: AC174490000, AC174490010, AC174490025, AC419700000, AC419700010, S80207, S93387, A292-500, NC9520090, NC9552182
Synonyms:
1-Heptadecanecarboxylic Acid; Octadecanoic Acid; Stearophanic Acid
Company Identification:

              Fisher Scientific
              1 Reagent Lane
              Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
For information, call:
201-796-7100
Emergency Number:
201-796-7100
For CHEMTREC assistance, call:
800-424-9300
For International CHEMTREC assistance, call:
703-527-3887

Section 2 - Composition, Information on Ingredients

CAS# Chemical Name Percent EINECS/ELINCS
57-11-4 Stearic acid >94.9 200-313-4

Section 3 - Hazards Identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

Appearance: white flakes.
Danger! Flammable solid. Causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. The toxicological properties of this material have not been fully investigated.
Target Organs: Respiratory system, eyes, skin.


Potential Health Effects
Eye: Causes eye irritation. May cause chemical conjunctivitis.
Skin: Causes skin irritation. May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated. Aspiration of material into the lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal. May be harmful if swallowed.
Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated. May be harmful if inhaled.
Chronic: No information found.

Section 4 - First Aid Measures


Eyes: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid.
Skin: Get medical aid. Flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion: Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical aid. Do NOT induce vomiting. If conscious and alert, rinse mouth and drink 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water.
Inhalation: Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively.

Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures


General Information: As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. During a fire, irritating and highly toxic gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion. Flammable solid. May burn rapidly with flare burning effect. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Dangerous fire hazard in the form of dust when exposed to heat or flame.
Extinguishing Media: Contact professional fire-fighters immediately. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam.
Flash Point: 196 deg C ( 384.80 deg F)
Autoignition Temperature: Not available.
Explosion Limits, Lower:Not available.
Upper: Not available.
NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 2; Flammability: 2; Instability: 0

Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures


General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks: Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Sweep up, then place into a suitable container for disposal. Scoop up with a nonsparking tool, then place into a suitable container for disposal. Avoid generating dusty conditions. Remove all sources of ignition. Provide ventilation.

Section 7 - Handling and Storage


Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Use with adequate ventilation. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Empty containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or vapor), and can be dangerous. Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Avoid ingestion and inhalation. Wash clothing before reuse. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder, drill, grind, or expose empty containers to heat, sparks or open flames.
Storage: Keep away from sources of ignition. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Flammables-area. Keep away from oxidizing agents.

Section 8 - Exposure Controls, Personal Protection


Engineering Controls: Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate general or local explosion-proof ventilation to keep airborne levels to acceptable levels.
Exposure Limits
Chemical Name ACGIH NIOSH OSHA - Final PELs
Stearic acid none listed none listed none listed

OSHA Vacated PELs: Stearic acid: No OSHA Vacated PELs are listed for this chemical.
Personal Protective Equipment
Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166.
Skin: Wear appropriate gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to minimize contact with skin.
Respirators: Follow the OSHA respirator regulations found in 29 CFR 1910.134 or European Standard EN 149. Use a NIOSH/MSHA or European Standard EN 149 approved respirator if exposure limits are exceeded or if irritation or other symptoms are experienced.

Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties


Physical State: Flakes
Appearance: white
Odor: fatty odor
pH: Not available.
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg @ 174 C
Vapor Density: Not available.
Evaporation Rate:Not available.
Viscosity: Not available.
Boiling Point: 361 deg C @ 760 mmHg
Freezing/Melting Point:67 - 69 deg C
Decomposition Temperature:Not available.
Solubility: Slightly soluble.
Specific Gravity/Density:.8400g/cm3
Molecular Formula:C18H36O2
Molecular Weight:284.47

Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity


Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, ignition sources, dust generation.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials: Oxidizing agents, reducing agents, bases.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Has not been reported.

Section 11 - Toxicological Information


RTECS#:      
CAS# 57-11-4: WI2800000
LD50/LC50:
CAS# 57-11-4:
     Draize test, rabbit, skin: 500 mg/24H Moderate;
     Skin, rabbit: LD50 = >5 gm/kg;
.

Carcinogenicity:
CAS# 57-11-4: Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NTP, or CA Prop 65.

Epidemiology: No information found
Teratogenicity: No information found
Reproductive Effects: No information found
Mutagenicity: No information found
Neurotoxicity: No information found
Other Studies:

Section 12 - Ecological Information

No information available.

Section 13 - Disposal Considerations

Chemical waste generators must determine whether a discarded chemical is classified as a hazardous waste. US EPA guidelines for the classification determination are listed in 40 CFR Parts 261.3. Additionally, waste generators must consult state and local hazardous waste regulations to ensure complete and accurate classification.
RCRA P-Series: None listed.
RCRA U-Series: None listed.

Section 14 - Transport Information

US DOT Canada TDG
Shipping Name: FLAMMABLE SOLIDS, ORGANIC, N.O.S. FLAMMABLE SOLIDS, ORGANIC, N.O.S. (STEARIC ACID)
Hazard Class: 4.1 4.1
UN Number: UN1325 UN1325
Packing Group: III III

Section 15 - Regulatory Information

US FEDERAL

TSCA
     CAS# 57-11-4 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
Health & Safety Reporting List
     None of the chemicals are on the Health & Safety Reporting List.
Chemical Test Rules
     None of the chemicals in this product are under a Chemical Test Rule.
Section 12b
     None of the chemicals are listed under TSCA Section 12b.
TSCA Significant New Use Rule
     None of the chemicals in this material have a SNUR under TSCA.
CERCLA Hazardous Substances and corresponding RQs
     None of the chemicals in this material have an RQ.
SARA Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances
     None of the chemicals in this product have a TPQ.
SARA Codes
     CAS # 57-11-4: fire.
Section 313      No chemicals are reportable under Section 313.
Clean Air Act:
     This material does not contain any hazardous air pollutants.
     This material does not contain any Class 1 Ozone depletors.
     This material does not contain any Class 2 Ozone depletors.
Clean Water Act:
     None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Hazardous Substances under the CWA.
     None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Priority Pollutants under the CWA.
     None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Toxic Pollutants under the CWA.
OSHA:
     None of the chemicals in this product are considered highly hazardous by OSHA.
STATE
     CAS# 57-11-4 is not present on state lists from CA, PA, MN, MA, FL, or NJ.

California Prop 65

California No Significant Risk Level: None of the chemicals in this product are listed.

European/International Regulations

European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
Hazard Symbols:
     XI F
Risk Phrases:

     R 11 Highly flammable.
     R 36/37/38 Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.

Safety Phrases:

     S 16 Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking.
     S 26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of
     water and seek medical advice.
     S 37/39 Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection.

WGK (Water Danger/Protection)

     CAS# 57-11-4: 0
Canada - DSL/NDSL
     CAS# 57-11-4 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
Canada - WHMIS
     This product has a WHMIS classification of D2B.
This product has been classified in accordance with the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations and the MSDS contains all of the information required by those regulations.
Canadian Ingredient Disclosure List
     CAS# 57-11-4 is listed on the Canadian Ingredient Disclosure List.

Section 16 - Additional Information

MSDS Creation Date: 12/12/1997
Revision #7 Date: 9/26/2007

The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the information for their particular purposes. In no event shall Fisher be liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party or for lost profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages, howsoever arising, even if Fisher has been advised of the possibility of such damages.