MSDS NO: TUNGSTEN ELECTRODE

REVISED 11-2010

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

For Welding Consumables and Related Products
Conforms to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29CFR 1910.1200
Standard Must Be Consulted for Specific Requirements

SECTION I – IDENTIFICATION
Manufacturer/Supplier: Washington Alloy Company Telephone No: 704-598-1325
Address: 7010-G Reames Road, Charlotte, NC 28216 Emergency No: 704-598-1325
Trade Name: Specification: Classification: AWS Color Id
Pure Tungsten, EWP (WP) Green
2% Ceriated Tungsten EWCe-2 (WCe20) (formerly Orange) Grey
1% Lanthanated Tungsten EWLa-1 (WLa10) Black
1.5% Lanthanated Tungsten EWLa-1.5 (WLa15) Gold
2% Lanthanated Tungsten
1% Thoriated Tungsten
AWS A5.12 EWLa-2 (WLa20) Blue
Yellow
(ISO 6848) EWTh-1 (WTh10)
2% Thoriated Tungsten EWTh-2 (WTh20) Red
Zirconated Tungsten EWZr-1 (WZr3) Brown
Zirconated Tungsten Zr-8 EWZr-8 (WZr8) White

SECTION II
HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS/Identity Information
IMPORTANT: This section covers the materials from which the product is manufactured. The fumes and gases product during welding with the
normal use of this product are covered under Section V. The term “HAZARDOUS MATERIALS” should be interpreted as a term required and
defined in OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATIONS STANDARD 29 CFR 1910.1200 however the use of this term does not necessarily imply
the existence of any hazard.

Exposure Limit (mg/m3)

Ingredients of The Product CAS No.
OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV
Tungsten (W) 7440-33-7 5.0 ,10.0** 5.0 ,10.0**
Thorium Dioxide (ThO2) (1) 1314-20-1
Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) 1314-23-4 5.0 ,10.0** 5.0 ,10.0**
Cerium Dioxide (CeO2) 1345-13-7
Lanthanum Dioxide ( LaO2) 1312-81-8
Chemical Composition Weight %
W CeO2 LaO2 ThO2 ZrO2
Pure Tungsten 99.5(Min.)
2% Ceriated Tungsten Balance 1.8-2.2
1% Lanthanated Tungsten Balance 0.8-1.2
1.5% Lanthanated Tungsten Balance 1.3-1.7
2% Lanthanated Tungsten Balance 1.8-2.2
1% Thoriated Tungsten Balance 0.8-1.2
2% Thoriated Tungsten Balance 1.7-2.2
Zirconated Tungsten Balance 0.15-0.50
Zirconated Tungsten Zr-8 Balance 0.7-0.9
Other elements or ingredients may be present but in quantities much less than 1%.(1) Subject to reporting requirements of Section 313 of the Emergency Planning
and Community Right -To-Know Act of 1986 and 40CFR 370 and 372; (Resp) = Respiratory/ Respiration: Welding and cutting of products that contain
Chromium may produce hexavalent chromium and YOU should read and follow OSHA’s final rules Fed Register #:71:10099-10385 dated 02-28-2006.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR 1910.1000 Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV[R]). *Ceiling Limit **Short Term Exposure Limit Impurities = 0.5 max.

SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA

As shipped these are solid rods that are nonflammable, non-explosive, non-reactive and non –hazardous – that are bare metal silver-gray hard and
brittle electrodes
SECTION IV – FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA
Non-Flammable: Welding arc and sparks can ignite combustibles. Finely divided powers are flammable and may ignite if exposed to static
electric discharge. See Z-49.1 referenced in Section XIII.

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 MSDS NO: TUNGSTEN ELECTRODE
REVISED 11-2010 Page 2

SECTION V – REACTIVITY & STABILITY DATA

Hazardous Decomposition Products
Welding fumes and gases cannot be classified simply. The composition and quantity of these fumes and gases are dependent upon the metal
being welded, the procedures followed and the electrodes used. Workers should be aware that the composition and quantity of fumes and gases to
which they may be exposed, are influenced by: coatings which may be present on the metal being welded (such as paint, plating, or galvanizing),
the number of welders in operation and the volume of the work area, the quality and amount of ventilation, the position of the welder’s head with
respect to the fume plume, as well as the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere (such as chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors from cleaning and
degreasing procedure). When the electrode is consumed, the fumes and gas decomposition products generated are different in percent and form
from the ingredients listed in Section II, The composition of these fumes and gases are the concerning matter and not the composition of the
electrode itself. Decomposition products include those originating from the volatilization, reaction, or oxidation of the ingredients shown in
Section II, plus those from the base metal, coating and the other factors noted above. Reasonable expected fume constituents of this product may
include: Complex oxides of aluminum, iron, manganese, silicon, sodium, potassium, nickel, calcium, and copper. Fluorides will also be present.
Gaseous reaction products may include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide Ozone and nitrogen oxides may be formed by the radiation from the
arc. Normally stable however Thorium oxides may undergo radioactive decay. One method of determining the composition and quantity of the
fumes and gases to which the workers are exposed is to take an air sample from inside the welder’s helmet while worn or within the worker’s
breathing zone. See ANSI/AWS F1.1 publication available from the American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida 33126.
Stability: As shipped these products are stable.
SECTION VI– ENTRY DATA
Common Entry: During the welding processes inhalation of welding fumes may give the most common route of over exposure as well as the
dust from the grinding process. Contact with skin, eyes, ingestion or injection should not be a source for exposure with proper protection.
SECTION VII– Threshold Limit Value
The ACGIH recommended general limit for welding fume NOC (Not otherwise classified) is 5 mg/m3. ACGIH-1985 preface states: “The TLC-
TWA should be used as guides in the control of health hazards and should not be used as fine lines between safe and dangerous concentrations.”
Read all other sections for specific fume constituents, which may modify this TLV.
SECTION VIII– HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Effects of Overexposure: Inhalation of welding fumes and gases can be dangerous to your health. Short-term (acute) overexposure to welding
fumes may result in discomfort such as dizziness, nausea, or dryness or irritation of nose, throat, or eyes. Chromium (VI) compounds present in
the fume may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, muscular weakness and convulsions. Continued inhalation could cause loss of consciousness and
death. Chromium (VI) compounds present in the fume may cause severe irritation of the bronchial tubes and lungs. Ingesting Chromium (VI)
salts may cause injury of death. Chromium (VI) compounds may burn eyes. Chromium compounds may cause allergic reactions in some people.
Nickel oxides present in the fume may cause tightness around the chest, fever and allergic reactions in some people. Long-term (chronic) over-
exposure to welding fumes can lead to siderosis (iron deposits in lung) and is believed to affect pulmonary function. Repetitive exposure to
fluoride fumes and/or gases may cause excessive calcification of the bones and ligaments of the ribs, pelvis and spinal column. Constant
inhalation of chromium (VI) compounds may cause an ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum as well as liver and kidney damage.
Repetitive overexposure to nickel oxides may lead to lung fibrosis or pneumoconiosis. Workers exposed to chromium (VI) compounds and/or
nickel oxides have a higher incidence of lung and nasal cancers. Chromium and nickel compounds are on the IARC (International Agency for
Research of Cancer) list as posing a carcinogenic risk to humans. Arc Rays can injure eyes and burn skin. Electric shock can kill. Carcinogenicity
& California Proposition 65 listed in Section X. Special precautions must be taken during the grinding, machining or weld working when using
electrodes containing Thorium due to the generation of dust or fumes.
SECTION IX- Emergency and First Aid Procedures
Remove to fresh Air. Call for medical assistance. Use first aid procedures recommended by the American Red Cross. If breathing is difficult or
not breathing – give oxygen or use CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) by trained personnel. Consult a physician if irritation of the eyes and
skin or flash burns develops after exposure.
SECTION X- TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute toxicity: Overexposure or inhalation of large amounts of welding fumes may cause symptoms such as metal fume fever, dizziness, nausea,
dryness and irritation of your nose, throat or eyes as well as other lung disease.
Chronic toxicity: Overexposure or prolonged inhalation of large amounts of welding fumes with chromium compounds may cause cancer. Other
overexposure or prolonged inhalation of large amounts of welding fumes symptoms related may include damage to the central nervous system,
respiratory system, skin and could affect organs such as pancreas and liver
Carcinogenicity OSHA (29 CFR 1910.1200) lists Nickel and Chromium as possible carcinogens. Thorium oxide has been identified as a
carcinogen by NTP, IARC and others.
California Proposition 65 Thorium oxide is listed on California Proposition 65
These products may contain or produces chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, and/or birth defects (or other reproductive
harm). (Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq.)
SECTION XI –SAFE HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling: Do not eat or drink while using these products and ensure proper ventilation is used. Always wash all exposed skin thoroughly and
ensure good housekeeping. Throrium Oxide dust may be a SOURCE MATERIAL as defined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is
subject to the requirements of 10CFR, Parts 20 and 40. Routine wet-mopping or vacuuming with an explosion-proof vacuum filter, fitted with a
HEPA filter should be considered to reduce the accumulation of dusts. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED DURING GRINDING,
MACHINING OR ANY OTHER WAYS DUST OR FUMES ARE GENERATED WITH THORIUM or THORIUM OXIDES.
Storage: Store in a cool dry place away .Avoid extreme temperatures and incompatible items such as acids, oxidizers and halogens.

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 MSDS NO: TUNGSTEN ELECTRODE
REVISED 11-2010 Page 3

SECTION XII –DISPOSAL & WASTE

Waste Disposal Method: Recycle when possible. Discard any un-wanted product, residues, containers, or liners in a suitable disposal container
in an environmentally acceptable manner approved by Federal, State and Local regulations.
SECTION XIII– CONTROL MEASURES AND PERSONAL PROTECTION
Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions and precautionary label on this product and your employer’s safety practices. See American
National Standard ANSI Z49.1 Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes, published by the AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY, 550
N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida 33126;OSHA Safety and Health Standards are published by the U.S. Government Printing Office, 732
North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401 for more details on the following topics.
Ventilation: Use plenty of ventilation and/or local exhaust at the arc, to keep the fumes and gases below the threshold limit value within the
worker’s breathing zone and the general work area. Welders should be advised to keep their head out of the fumes or any dust during the
grinding of electrode tips.
Respiratory Protection: Use respirable fume respirator or air supplied respirator when welding in a confined space or general work area where
local exhaust and/or ventilation does not keep exposure below the threshold limit value.
Eye Protection: Wear a helmet or face shield with a filter lens shade number 12-14 or darker. Shield other workers by providing screens and
flash goggles.
Protective Clothing: Wear approved head, hand and body protection, which help to prevent injury from radiation, sparks and electrical shock.
See ANSI Z-49.1. This would include wearing welder’s gloves and a protective face shield and may include arm protectors, apron, hats, shoulder
protection, as well as dark substantial clothing. Welders should be trained not to allow electrically live parts to contract the skin or wet clothing
and gloves. The welders should insulate themselves from the work and ground.
SECTION XIV– OTHER INFORMATION
Approval Date: 11-19-2010
NFPA CODES : FIRE: 0 HEALTH: 1 REACTIVITY: 0
Washington Alloy Co. Believes that the information contained in this (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheet is accurate. However,
Washington Alloy Co. does not express or implies any warranty with respect to this information.
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