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SAFETY DATA SHEET SDS Number: 7946-Q

Date Revised: 05/01/2014

This Safety Data Sheet complies with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, ISO 11014-1 and ANSI Z400.1

1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Product Name: PURE, THORIATED, ZIRCONIA, CERIA AND LANTHANA TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES
Application: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding And Plasma Arc Welding And Cutting.
Classification: AWS A5.12
Supplier: THE ESAB GROUP, INC., 801 Wilson Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331
Telephone No.: 1-717-637-8911, 1-800-933-7070
Emergency No.: 1-717-637-8911 and 1-800-424-9300 (CHEMTREC)
Web site: www.esabna.com

2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Emergency Overview: Grey metal rods with no odor. These products are normally not considered hazardous as shipped. Gloves should
be worn when handling to prevent contaminating hands with product dust.
Avoid eye contact or inhalation of dust from these products. Skin contact is normally no hazard but should be avoided to prevent possible
allergic reactions.
Persons with a pacemaker should not go near welding or cutting operations until they have consulted their doctor and obtained
information from the manufacturer of the device.
When these products are used in a welding process, the most important hazards are heat, radiation, electric shock and welding fumes.
Heat: Spatter and melting metal can cause burn injuries and start fires.
Radiation: Arc rays can severely damage eyes or skin.
Electricity: Electric shock can kill.
Fumes: Overexposure to welding fumes may result in symptoms like metal fume fever, dizziness, nausea, dryness or irritation of
the nose, throat or eyes. Chronic overexposure to welding fumes may affect pulmonary function. Prolonged inhalation of
nickel and chromium compounds above safe exposure limits can cause cancer. Overexposure to manganese and
manganese compounds above safe exposure limits can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system,
including the brain, symptoms of which may include slurred speech, lethargy, tremor, muscular weakness, psychological
disturbances and spastic gait. Thorium dioxide is a naturally occurring radioactive material which can emit alpha
particles which is the basis of its designation as a carcinogen. This designation is based upon the use of thorium dioxide
in medical procedures. Industrial exposures have not been shown to produce adverse effects. However, good practice is
to avoid the inhalation of dusts and fumes.
3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
These products are solids.
REACH Hazard OSHA
Ingredients CAS# EINECS# (1) IARC(2) NTP(3)
Reg. # classification List(4)
Cerium Dioxide -- 1306-38-3 215-150-4 No -- -- --
Lanthanum Oxide -- 1312-81-8 215-200-5 No -- -- --
Thorium Dioxide -- 1314-20-1 215-225-1 No -- -- --
Tungsten -- 7440-33-7 231-143-9 No -- -- --
Zirconium Dioxide -- 1314-23-4 215-227-2 No -- -- --
(1)
Hazard Classification according to European Council Directive 67/548/EEC, for R-phrases, see Section 16.
(2)
Evaluation according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
1 –Carcinogenic to humans. 2A – Probably carcinogenic to humans. 2B – Possibly carcinogenic to humans.
(3)
Classification according to the 11th Report on Carcinogens, published by the US National Toxicology Program.
K – Known Carcinogen S – Suspect Carcinogen
(4)
Carcinogen listing according to OSHA, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (USA).
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LANTHANA TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES SDS Number: 7946-Q
Date Revised: 05/01/2014

APPROXIMATE COMPOSITION (Wt. %)

Product Cerium Lanthanum Thorium Zirconium AWS

Color Code Tungsten
Trade Name Dioxide Oxide Dioxide Dioxide Classification
Pure Green > 99 -- -- -- -- EWP
1% Thoriated Yellow > 98 -- -- 0–2 -- EWTh-1
2% Thoriated Red > 97 -- -- 1 – 2.5 -- EWTh-2
Zirconated Brown > 99 -- -- -- <1 EWEZr
2% Ceriated Orange > 97 1 – 2.5 -- -- -- EWCe-2
1.5% Lanthana Gold > 97 -- 1–2 -- -- EWLa-1.5

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Inhalation: If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration and obtain medical assistance immediately! If breathing is
difficult, provide fresh air and call physician.
Eye contact: For radiation burns due to arc flash, see physician. To remove dusts or fumes flush with water for at least fifteen
minutes. If irritation persists, obtain medical assistance.
Skin contact: For skin burns from arc radiation, promptly flush with cold water. Get medical attention for burns or irritations that
persist. To remove dust or particles wash with mild soap and water.
Electric shock: Disconnect and turn off the power. Use a nonconductive material to pull victim away from contact with live parts or
wires. If not breathing, begin artificial respiration, preferably mouth-to-mouth. If no detectable pulse, begin Cardio
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Immediately call a physician.
General: Move to fresh air and call for medical aid.
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
No specific recommendations for welding consumables. Welding arcs and sparks can ignite combustible and flammable materials. Use
the extinguishing media recommended for the burning materials and fire situation. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus as fumes
or vapors may be harmful.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Solid objects may be picked up and placed into a container. Liquids or pastes should be scooped up and placed into a container. Wear
proper protective equipment while handling these materials. Do not discard as refuse.
Personal precautions: refer to Section 8
Environmental precautions: refer to Section 13
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Handle with care to avoid stings and cuts. Wear gloves when handling welding consumables. Avoid exposure to dust. Do not ingest.
Some individuals can develop an allergic reaction to certain materials. Retain all warning and identity labels.
Storage:
Keep separate from chemical substances like acids and strong bases, which could cause chemical reactions.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROL/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Avoid exposure to welding fumes, radiation, spatter, electric shock, heated materials and dust.
Engineering measures:
Ensure sufficient ventilation, local exhaust, or both, to keep welding fumes and gases from breathing zone and general area. Keep
working place and protective clothing clean and dry. Train welders to avoid contact with live electrical parts and insulate conductive
parts. Check condition of protective clothing and equipment on a regular basis.
Personal protective equipment:
Use respirator or air supplied respirator when welding or brazing in a confined space, or where local exhaust or ventilation is not
sufficient to keep exposure values within safe limits. Use special care when welding painted or coated steels since hazardous
substances from the coating may be emitted. Wear hand, head, eyes, ear and body protection like welders gloves, helmet or face shield
with filter lens, safety boots, apron, arm and shoulder protection. Keep protective clothing clean and dry.
Use industrial hygiene monitoring equipment to ensure that exposure does not exceed applicable national exposure limits. The following
limits can be used as guidance. For information about welding fume analysis refer to Section 10.
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LANTHANA TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES SDS Number: 7946-Q
Date Revised: 05/01/2014

(1) 3 (2) 3
Substance CAS# ACGIH TLV mg/m OSHA PEL mg/m
Cerium Dioxide 1306-38-3 None None
Lanthanum Oxide 1312-81-8 None None
Thorium Dioxide 1314-20-1 None None
Tungsten (metal) 7440-33-7 5, 10 (STEL) None
Zirconium Dioxide (as Zr) 1314-23-4 5, 10 (STEL) 5
(1)
Threshold Limit Values according to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 2014
(2)
Permissible Exposure Limits according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (USA)
Unless noted, all values are for 8 hour time weighted averages (TWA).

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance: Grey metallic rods.
Specific Gravity: 19.3
Boiling Point: 5660°C/10220°F
Freezing Point: Not determined.
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable.
Vapor Density: Not applicable.
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable.
Solubility in Water: Not soluble.
VOC: None.
Viscosity: Not applicable.
% Volatiles: Not applicable.
Flash Point: Not applicable.
Upper/Lower Flame Limit: Not applicable.
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not applicable.

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

General: These products are intended for normal welding purposes.
Stability: These products are stable under normal conditions.
Reactivity: Contact with chemical substances like acids or strong bases could cause generation of gas.
When these products are used in a welding process, hazardous decomposition products would include those from the volatilization,
reaction or oxidation of the materials listed in Section 3 and those from the base metal and coating.
The amount of fumes generated from these products varies with welding parameters and dimensions but is generally no more than 1 to
10 g/kg consumable. Fumes from these products may contain compounds of the following chemical elements: Fe, O, Mn, Cr, Ni, Si, Mo,
Al, Mg, W, Zr, Th, Cs, and La. The rest is not analyzed, according to available standards. Refer to the welding product SDS for additional
information on welding fumes.
Refer to applicable national exposure limits for fume compounds, including those exposure limits for fume compounds found in Section 8.
A significant amount of the chromium in the fumes can be hexavalent chromium, which has a very low exposure limit in some countries.
Manganese has a low exposure limit, in some countries that may be easily exceeded.
Reasonably expected gaseous products would include carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides and ozone. Air contaminants around the welding
area can be affected by the welding process and influence the composition and quantity of fumes and gases produced.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Inhalation of welding fumes and gases can be dangerous to your health. Classification of welding fumes is difficult because of varying
base materials, coatings, air contamination and processes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified welding
fumes as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
Acute toxicity: Overexposure to welding fumes may result in symptoms like metal fume fever, dizziness, nausea, dryness or irritation
of the nose, throat or eyes.
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LANTHANA TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES SDS Number: 7946-Q
Date Revised: 05/01/2014

Chronic toxicity: Overexposure to welding fumes may affect pulmonary function. Prolonged inhalation of nickel and chromium
compounds above safe exposure limits can cause cancer. Overexposure to manganese and manganese compounds
above safe exposure limits can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system, including the brain,
symptoms of which may include slurred speech, lethargy, tremor, muscular weakness, psychological disturbances and
spastic gait. Thorium dioxide is a naturally occurring radioactive material which can emit alpha particles which is the
basis of its designation as a carcinogen. This designation is based upon the use of thorium dioxide in medical
procedures. Industrial exposures have not been shown to produce adverse effects.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Welding consumables and materials could degrade/weather into components originating from the consumables or from the materials
used in the welding process. Avoid exposure to conditions that could lead to accumulation in soils or groundwater.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Discard any product, residue, disposable container or liner in an environmentally acceptable manner, in full compliance with federal and
local regulations. Use recycling procedures if available.
USA RCRA: These products are not considered hazardous waste if discarded.
Residues from welding consumables and processes could degrade and accumulate in soils and groundwater.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
No international regulations or restrictions are applicable.
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
Read and understand the manufacturer's instructions, your employer's safety practices and the health and safety instructions on the label.
Observe any federal and local regulations. Take precautions when welding and protect yourself and others.
WARNING: Welding fumes and gases are hazardous to your health and may damage lungs and other organs. Use adequate ventilation.
ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.
ARC RAYS and SPARKS can injure eyes and burn skin.
Wear correct hand, head, eye and body protection.
Canada: WHMIS classification: Class D; Division 2, Subdivision A
Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA): All constituents of these products are on the Domestic Substance List (DSL).
USA: Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, these products are considered hazardous.
These products contain or produce a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects (or other
reproductive harm). (California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5 et seq.)
United States EPA Toxic Substance Control Act: All constituents of these products are on the TSCA inventory list or are
excluded from listing.
CERCLA/SARA Title III
Reportable Quantities (RQs) and/or Threshold Planning Quantities (TPQs):
Ingredient name RQ (lb) TPQ (lb)

No ingredients listed in this section. -- --

Spills or releases resulting in the loss of any ingredient at or above its RQ require immediate notification to the National
Response Center and to your Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Section 311 Hazard Class
As shipped: Immediate In use: Immediate, delayed
EPCRA/SARA Title III 313 Toxic Chemicals
The following components are listed as SARA 313 “Toxic Chemicals” and potential subject to annual SARA 313 reporting. See
Section 3 for weight percent.
Ingredient name Disclosure threshold
No ingredients listed in this section. --
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LANTHANA TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES SDS Number: 7946-Q
Date Revised: 05/01/2014

16. OTHER INFORMATION

This Safety Data Sheet has been revised due to modifications to Section 8. This SDS supersedes 7946-P.

Refer to ESAB “Welding and Cutting - Risks and Measures”, F52-529 “Precautions and Safe Practices for Electric Welding and Cutting”
and F2035 “Precautions and Safe Practices for Gas Welding, Cutting and Heating” available from ESAB, and to:
USA: Contact ESAB at www.esabna.com or 1-800-ESAB-123 if you have questions about this SDS.
American National Standard Z49.1 “Safety in Welding and Cutting”, ANSI/AWS F1.5 “Methods for Sampling and Analyzing
Gases from Welding and Allied Processes”, ANSI/AWS F1.1 “Method for Sampling Airborne Particles Generated by Welding
and Allied Processes”, AWSF3.2M/F3.2 “Ventilation Guide for Weld Fume”, American Welding Society, 550 North Le Jeune
Road, Miami, Florida, 33135. Safety and Health Fact Sheets available from AWS at www.aws.org.
OSHA Publication 2206 (29 C.F.R. 1910), U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954,
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.
American Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH), Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 6500
Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45211, USA.
NFPA 51B “Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work” published by the National Fire
Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169.
UK: WMA Publication 236 and 237, “Hazards from Welding Fume”, “The arc welder at work, some general aspects of health and
safety”.
Germany: Unfallverhütungsvorschrift BGV D1, “Schweißen, Schneiden und verwandte Verfahren”.
Canada: CSA Standard CAN/CSA-W117.2-01 “Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes”.
These products have been classified according to the hazard criteria of the CPR and the SDS contains all the information
required by the CPR.

ESAB requests the users of these products to study this Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and become aware of product hazards and safety
information. To promote safe use of these products a user should:
- notify its employees, agents and contractors of the information on this SDS and any product hazards/safety information.
- furnish this same information to each of its customers for these products.
- request such customers to notify employees and customers for the same product hazards and safety information.

The information herein is given in good faith and based on technical data that ESAB believes to be reliable. Since the conditions of use
are outside our control, we assume no liability in connection with any use of this information and no warranty, expressed or implied is
given. Contact ESAB for more information.