Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) List for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)

Identification

Product Name: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber
Chemical Type: Synthetic Rubber Elastomer
Common Synonyms: NBR, Buna-N, Perbunan
CAS Number: 9003-18-3
Manufacturer Contact: Emergency number and address of supplier as per shipment documents
Intended Use: Industrial manufacture, automotive seals, fuel hoses, O-rings, oil-resistant components
Restrictions on Use: Not for direct food contact or medical application without prior risk assessment

Hazard Identification

Physical Hazards: Rubber polymer usually presents as solid granules or bales; no normal risk of explosion or ignition
Health Hazards: If dust, fume, or vapors generated by cutting, heating, or burning, may irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous in solid form; combustion may release toxic gases
Signal Words: None under GHS for the stable product; caution advised for handling of decomposition or processing fumes
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation of dust or fumes; use protective gear if mechanical manipulation generates particulate
Hazard Pictograms: None for finished NBR; process risks may require symbols for respiratory and health hazard

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Constituents: Acrylonitrile copolymerized with butadiene
Acrylonitrile Content: Ranges from 18% to 50% by weight according to grade
Butadiene Content: Ranges from 50% to 82% by weight
Possible Additives: Antioxidants, plasticizers, fillers, process oils, curatives; types and concentrations dependent on manufacturer specification
Hazardous Impurities: Trace residual monomers (acrylonitrile, butadiene), potential for nitrosamine formation during vulcanization

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air if heated rubber, fume, or dust causes irritation; seek medical evaluation for respiratory distress
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water after prolonged contact, especially in case of sensitive or damaged skin
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with clean water for at least fifteen minutes
Ingestion: Unlikely exposure route; rinse mouth, drink water; obtain medical advice if large amounts swallowed or symptoms develop
Special Instructions: For burns or persistent symptoms, seek immediate medical help and show label if processed fumes are involved

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for fires involving rubber
Specific Hazards: Incomplete combustion produces carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, acrylonitrile vapors and soot
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Advice for Firefighters: Cool exposed containers with water spray; do not allow run-off from fire-fighting to enter water systems
Unusual Fire Hazards: Dust or fine particles may be combustible when mixed with air and exposed to flame or sparks

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use gloves, goggles, protective clothing when cleaning spilled granules or powder; avoid inhalation of dust
Environmental Precautions: Prevent recovery material and washings from entering watercourses or drains
Cleanup Methods: Sweep, vacuum, or shovel into suitable containers for reuse or disposal; ventilate area if fumes are present; wash spill site with water if safe
Small Spill Management: Hand pick visible fragments and vacuum residual particles
Large Release Response: Isolate area, contact safety personnel, manage as non-hazardous industrial polymer solid unless processed

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Avoid creating dust clouds; handle in well-ventilated areas, especially when cutting or grinding; wash hands after use
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated space; avoid direct sunlight, heat, and sources of ignition
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, chlorine, or other reactive chemicals may decompose or damage the polymer
Packaging: Keep containers tightly closed; use original packaging when possible or inert containers
Specific Concerns: Extended exposure to high heat or direct sunlight may degrade performance and form breakdown products

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation during cutting, grinding, or processing rubber
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirators for dust or fumes in confined or high exposure environments
Hand Protection: Use chemical-resistant gloves during prolonged handling or contact with process oils/additives
Eye Protection: Safety glasses or goggles during handling of chips, powder, or possible splash
Skin Protection: Protective clothing if risk of extensive contact exists; wash exposed skin after handling
Exposure Limits: OSHA, ACGIH, and other authorities set limits for acrylonitrile and butadiene in workplace air (<1 ppm); finished NBR typically meets exemption but check processing environment

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Off-white to black solid, comes as granule, sheet, or bale
Odor: Mild to no odor; possible slight chemical smell if processed
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: Does not melt; decomposes above 200°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Above 200°C
Auto-ignition Temperature: Approximately 390°C
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable (solid polymer)
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Density: 0.98 – 1.1 g/cm³ depending on grade
Other Properties: Resistant to many oils and fuels; swells in polar solvents; stable under normal industrial and storage conditions

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperature and pressure
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, strong UV light for long periods
Reactive Materials: Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, acids, and alkalis
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, trace acrylonitrile and butadiene
Polymerization Risk: No hazardous polymerization expected
Other Incompatibilities: May form organic vapors upon thermal breakdown

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Solid NBR considered of low acute toxicity; irritation possible from dust or fumes
Skin Irritation: Low risk for most users, but redness or discomfort may occur in sensitive individuals
Eye Effects: Dust or fragments may cause mechanical irritation
Respiratory Effects: Process fumes or dust can irritate nose and throat; symptoms include coughing or shortness of breath if ventilation poor
Chronic Effects: Concerns relate to exposure to residual monomers (acrylonitrile, butadiene) and nitrosamines, both possible carcinogens if inhaled in large quantities over long periods
Sensitization: Rare cases of allergy or dermatitis reported with extensive exposure
Mutagenicity/Carcinogenicity: NBR itself not classified as carcinogenic, but unreacted ingredients pose risks; handle process fume with care

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: NBR does not dissolve in water; no acute effects on aquatic life expected from solid pieces
Mobility: Stable solid, does not move easily through soil or leach into groundwater
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; remains in environment as solid if littered
Bioaccumulation: No known potential to accumulate in living organisms
Ecological Effects: May cause physical harm to animals or birds if ingested
Environmental Precaution: Prevent scrap rubber and trimmings from entering rivers, lakes, or municipal water systems

Disposal Considerations

Waste Handling: Scrap can be reused or recycled if uncontaminated and facilities available
Disposal Method: Landfill disposal as non-hazardous waste per local regulations if not mixed with hazardous contaminants
Incineration: Approved industrial incinerators equipped with emission scrubbers suitable for rubber waste
Contaminated Packaging: Remove residues before recycling or follow local disposal procedures
Legal Requirements: Follow federal, state, and local environmental regulations for bulk disposal or incineration of synthetic rubber

Transport Information

UN Number: Not assigned to NBR polymer
Proper Shipping Name: Not classified as hazardous for land, sea, or air transport
Transport Hazard Class: Non-regulated
Packing Group: Non-applicable
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Avoid moisture and direct sunlight during transport to maintain quality

Regulatory Information

International Inventory Status: Listed on US TSCA, EU REACH, Canadian DSL, Japanese ENCS, and other chemical inventories
OSHA Classification: Not hazardous as manufactured article
EPA Reportable Ingredients: May apply to trace acrylonitrile or butadiene monomers where present
Labeling: No special labeling under GHS for finished NBR; processed material may require safety data
Restrictions: Some applications may require compliance with food contact, automotive, or medical regulations
SARA Title III: Possible reporting if residual monomers exceed threshold quantities
Worker Protection: Follow safety protocols for handling industrial rubber, especially in closed or hot work environments