Material Safety Data Sheet: Tetrabutylthiuram Disulfide (TBTD)

Identification

Product Name: Tetrabutylthiuram Disulfide
Other Names: TBTD, Thiuram Tetrabutyl, Disulfide, Tetrabutylthioperoxydicarbonic diamide
Chemical Formula: C18H36N2S4
CAS Number: 109-45-9
Recommended Uses: Used as a vulcanization accelerator in the rubber industry, chemical synthesis, and occasionally in polymer modification.
Manufacturer/Importer: Contact details including address, phone number, and emergency telephone should be displayed on the supplier’s documentation.
Emergency Contact: Poison information center or local emergency services contact.

Hazard Identification

Classification: Harmful if inhaled or swallowed, irritant to eyes, skin and respiratory tract, toxic to aquatic life.
GHS Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes eye and skin irritation, may cause allergic skin reaction, toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause respiratory irritation if dust or vapor is inhaled.
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, aquatic toxicity symbol
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fume, wash thoroughly after handling, prevent release to the environment, use personal protective equipment as required.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Tetrabutylthiuram Disulfide
Concentration: More than 98%, technical grades may contain small traces of related thiuram compounds.
Impurities: May include small amounts of butylamine, thiocarbamates, or other rubber chemicals depending on manufacturing process.
Synonyms/Identifiers: Available on supplier documentation, always verify batch purity as manufacturing process may introduce minor differences.

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally, seek medical advice promptly.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and thoroughly wash affected skin with soap and plenty of water, medical attention recommended in case of persistent irritation.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing, administer oxygen or artificial respiration if breathing is difficult, immediate medical attention required.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel, obtain medical help rapidly.
Important Symptoms: Burning, irritation, rash, headache, nausea, respiratory distress.
Advice to Physician: Treat symptomatically, provide supportive care as required.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, water spray.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct stream of water may spread fire due to product characteristics.
Specific Hazards: Combustion may emit toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and butyl derivatives.
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear in confined areas.
Firefighting Instructions: Cool exposed containers with water spray, remain upwind to avoid smoke.
Explosion Data: Dusts may present a risk of explosion in confined spaces under certain conditions, maintain good housekeeping to prevent dust accumulation.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, keep unprotected persons away, ventilate the affected area, use proper protective equipment including gloves, goggles, and mask.
Environmental Measures: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, or watercourses, notify authorities if significant release occurs.
Clean-up Methods: Sweep up or vacuum spilled material using non-sparking tools, place in labeled containers for disposal, wash spill site after material pickup is complete.
Disposal: Dispose collected material in accordance with local, state, and national regulations.
Decontamination: Avoid dust formation, use water spray to minimize airborne particles if needed.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Wear suitable protective clothing, avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid generation of dust.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from strong acids, bases, oxidizers, and foodstuffs.
Incompatibilities: Keep away from oxidizing agents, acids, and sources of ignition.
Special Precautions: Use spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment if necessary, implement good hygiene practices to prevent exposure.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV and OSHA PEL data not specifically established, recommend keeping workplace air concentrations below 1 mg/m³ as inhalable dust.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to control dust and airborne particles, safety showers and eyewash stations should be readily available.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical safety goggles, impervious gloves, lab coat or chemical-resistant suit, suitable respiratory protection—especially in dusty environments.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking, remove contaminated clothing and clean before reuse.
Environmental Control: Prevent release to environment, contain spills and treat effluent before discharge.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Pale yellow to light brown solid, crystalline powder, mild ammonia-like odor.
Melting Point: 70–74°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more soluble in organic solvents such as acetone, benzene, and chloroform.
Vapor Pressure: Very low at room temperature.
Density: Approximately 1.16 g/cm³ at 20°C
Partition Coefficient: log Pow approximately 5.7 (highly hydrophobic).
Flash Point: Not flammable under normal conditions.
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, butyl compounds.

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Maintains stability under recommended conditions of storage and use, sensitive to heat and moisture.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents, halogens, and acids, may decompose to form toxic substances under inappropriate conditions.
Hazardous Reactions: Unlikely under normal storage but elevated temperature or contact with incompatible materials may result in hazardous decomposition.
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization expected.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to high heat, moisture, and direct light.
Incompatible Materials: Avoid strong acids, oxidizing agents, and reducing materials.

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact.
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): about 2100 mg/kg, can produce nausea, headache, dizziness.
Skin Irritation: Causes irritation, may cause allergic dermatitis on prolonged or repeated contact.
Eye Irritation: Produces stinging, tearing, redness, and swelling; can cause severe irritation.
Respiratory Sensitization: Inhalation can result in coughing, sore throat, respiratory discomfort.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may affect liver and kidneys, risk of sensitization and allergic reactions.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.
Other Information: Worker experience in the rubber industry suggests monitoring for skin reactions and routine health checks help reduce harmful effects.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic life, LC50 for fish (96 h): 0.1–1 mg/L, can cause long-lasting harmful effects.
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades slowly in the environment, products of degradation can be more toxic.
Bioaccumulative Potential: High log Pow suggests potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms.
Soil Mobility: Limited mobility, tends to bind to organic material.
Other Effects: Even small spills may impact soil fertility and water organisms, site-specific evaluation needed before disposal or accidental release.
Best Practices: Keep out of water sources, use containment and proper waste management techniques.

Disposal Considerations

Methods of Disposal: Treat as hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations, incineration preferably in licensed facility.
Container Handling: Rinse empty containers with suitable solvent before disposal or recycling, never reuse for food or drink.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from contaminating ground, water, and soil during disposal.
Special Instructions: Follow community, regional, and national rules strictly to avoid fines and environmental harm.
Waste Code: Confirm with local authorities for applicable waste code listings for organic sulfur compounds.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3077 (for environmental hazards, if shipped in bulk)
Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (contains Tetrabutylthiuram Disulfide)
Transport Hazard Class: Class 9 (Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles)
Packing Group: III
Special Precautions: Avoid exposure to excessive heat and moisture during transit, follow all labeling and packaging regulations, ensure emergency instructions accompany shipments.
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Labeling: Clearly label all packages according to national and international regulations for hazardous goods.

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Regulated as a hazardous chemical under Hazard Communication Standard.
TSCA Status: Listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) inventory.
REACH Registration: Registered in accordance with relevant European Union chemicals legislation.
SARA Title III Sections 302/313: Not designated as a listed extremely hazardous chemical, but subject to reporting requirements due to environmental concerns.
California Proposition 65: Not currently listed, update status periodically to verify.
Other Regulations: Precautionary labeling mandated by GHS and local regulatory authorities, workplace exposure monitoring recommended in industrial applications.
Community Right to Know: Available to end-users, workers, and emergency responders on request.