Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Neodymium Butadiene Rubber (NdBR)

1. Identification

Product Name: Neodymium Butadiene Rubber
Synonyms: NdBR
Recommended Use: Industrial manufacture of tires, hoses, belts, and other rubber products
Chemical Family: Synthetic Elastomer
Supplier: Major rubber manufacturers and distributors
Emergency Phone Number: Provided by local distributor or MSDS issuer

2. Hazard Identification

Physical State: Solid, granular, or block form
Color: Off-white to light brown
Odor: Mild hydrocarbon odor
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS
Most Important Hazards: Accumulation of combustible dust, contact with strong oxidizers, may form irritating fumes if heated
Health Effects: May cause mild eye and skin irritation during handling, thermal decomposition can result in hazardous gases
Environmental Hazards: Low solubility, persistent in soil and water, may cause harm to aquatic life through small polymer fragments

3. Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Polybutadiene, Neodymium-catalyzed
Chemical Formula: (C4H6)n with neodymium-based catalyst residues
CAS Number: 68442-49-3
Impurities and Stabilizing Additives: Residual hydrocarbons, antioxidants (e.g., phenols), traces of neodymium salts, processing oils
Concentration: Polybutadiene ≥ 95%, neodymium compounds ≤ 0.1%, processing oils ≤ 1%, residual catalyst ≤ 0.05%

4. First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Flush eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention if irritation or redness persists, remove contact lenses if present and easy
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area with soap and water, seek medical advice if rash develops or irritation continues
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, if breathing difficulties appear after inhaling dust or fumes, provide oxygen or artificial respiration as needed, seek medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, never give anything by mouth to unconscious patient, seek medical attention for large ingestions
Notes for Doctor: Treat symptomatically, polymer dust may cause irritation, thermal decomposition products should be treated as for chemical exposure

5. Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water stream may scatter molten material, avoid high-pressure jets
Specific Hazards: Combustible at high temperatures, decomposition creates carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, traces of hydrocarbons, irritating fumes
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear to prevent inhalation of combustion gases
Special Precautions: Cool containers exposed to fire with water, prevent run-off from entering waterways, polymer melts and sticks to surfaces

6. Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use nonslip gloves, goggles, and suitable clothing, avoid breathing dust or fumes, ensure adequate ventilation
Environmental Measures: Prevent large spills from entering drains and watercourses, collect waste for proper disposal, avoid unnecessary exposure to wildlife
Methods for Clean-Up: Gather solids using clean, dry tools, transfer to labeled waste containers, clean contaminated area with water and mild detergent, avoid dust formation

7. Handling and Storage

Handling: Keep away from sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces, minimize dust generation, avoid contact with skin and eyes, wash hands before eating or drinking, use only in well-ventilated areas
Storage: Store in cool, dry, and ventilated location, protect from sunlight and moisture, keep away from incompatible materials like strong oxidizers, acids, and bases, store in original containers, avoid stacking heavy loads
Special Requirements: Ground all equipment to avoid static discharge, rotate stock to use oldest material first, label containers properly

8. Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established threshold limit values for NdBR, limit exposure to dust and processing fumes
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation for thermal processing, prevent dust accumulation, monitor workplace air for hydrocarbons
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety glasses with side shields, chemical-resistant gloves, long-sleeved clothing
Respiratory Protection: Respirators required if dust or fume concentrations exceed recommended levels, use NIOSH-approved equipment
Hygiene Measures: Facilities for washing should be available, remove contaminated clothing and launder before reuse, avoid food or drink in processing areas

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Off-white to light brown solid, sheet, crumb, or bale form
Odor: Faint hydrocarbon
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: Softens at 70-90°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable to polymers
Flash Point: >250°C
Flammability: Combustible under fire conditions
Explosion Properties: Dust can form explosive mixtures with air
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons
Density: 0.9 - 1.0 g/cm³
Auto-Ignition Temperature: >350°C
Decomposition Temperature: Begins to decompose >250°C

10. Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, open flames, sources of ignition, strong sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, and bases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, trace neodymium compounds, smoke
Polymerization: Not expected under normal conditions of use

11. Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Not acutely toxic by oral, dermal, or inhalation routes
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Mild irritant, may cause dryness or cracking on prolonged contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: May cause mild and reversible irritation
Respiratory Sensitization: Dust or fumes may aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions
Chronic Effects: Limited information, not classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction
Other Effects: Contains trace neodymium compounds—low risk, but long-term exposure not fully assessed for rare earth elements

12. Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Not considered acutely toxic to aquatic or terrestrial organisms, long-term persistence as an inert polymer may cause mechanical harm
Persistence and Degradability: Not biodegradable in the environment, resists microbial action
Bioaccumulation Potential: No expected bioaccumulation due to large molecular size and low solubility
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility, particles may accumulate at soil or sediment surfaces
Other Adverse Effects: Marine animals may ingest micro-sized fragments, causing physical effects rather than chemical toxicity

13. Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Incinerate in approved facilities or landfill in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Special Precautions: Do not discharge to sewers or waterways, avoid burning in open air, collect and reuse where possible
Packaging Disposal: Empty containers should be recycled or disposed of in line with regulations, ensure packaging is not contaminated with hazardous residues

14. Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
UN Shipping Name: Not regulated as dangerous goods
Transport Hazard Class: Not subject to international transport regulations
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture and excessive heat during transport, secure to prevent shifting during movement, avoid exposure to direct sunlight

15. Regulatory Information

Global Inventories: Listed in TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia)
OSHA Status: Not classified as hazardous under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under SARA Sections 302, 311, 312, or 313
WHMIS (Canada): Not controlled
REACH (EU): Registered substance, subject to general chemical safety requirements
Other Regulations: Subject to workplace safety and environmental protection acts according to national guidelines