Material Safety Data Sheet for Polyamide Resin

Identification

Product Name: Polyamide Resin
Chemical Family: Polyamides
Common Names: Nylon, Polyamide Polymer
Manufacturer: Manufacturer’s contact details must appear here for regulatory purposes.
Recommended Uses: Industrial coatings, adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, inks.
Product Form: Solid granules, powder, or beads.
Synonyms: Nylon resin, PA resin
Emergency Phone Number: Emergency lines must be listed by the supplier.

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not classified as hazardous in solid form under GHS criteria. Can release irritating or hazardous fumes during melting, burning, or machining.
Physical Hazards: Heated material causes burns. Dust may cause a slip hazard on floors.
Health Hazards: Inhalation of decomposition products causes respiratory irritation. Dust causes eye and skin irritation. Molten resin causes thermal burns.
Environmental Hazards: Spilled resin beads may harm aquatic habitats if released in large quantities.
Pictograms: Not required for non-combustible solid, but a general warning sign for hot material and dust.
Signal Word: Warning (mainly due to molten material risks and dust generation).

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Polyamide
CAS Number: 25038-54-4
Typical Content: ≥95% Polyamide by weight
Impurities: Low levels of process aids, unreacted monomers, or solvents. Levels typically below 1% each.
Additives: Some batches include plasticizers, antioxidants, or pigments (including titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, or carbon black) in low concentrations.
Hazardous Ingredients: None present above reportable thresholds.

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air. If symptoms develop from inhaled dust or fumes, seek medical advice.
Skin Contact: For contact with cold resin, wash area with soap and water. If molten material contacts skin, do not remove solidified resin; cool rapidly with water and get medical attention for burns.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if worn and easy to do. Seek medical care if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Unlikely to be harmful, but seek medical advice if symptoms arise. Rinse mouth with water.
Note for Physicians: Treat thermal burns conventionally. No antidotes or special treatments needed for chemical exposure to this resin.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry powder, foam, or carbon dioxide.
Unsuitable Media: Avoid high-pressure water jets that could spread burning material.
Hazards from Combustion: Fumes may include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanide, and traces of ammonia.
Advice for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear.
Special Notes: Cool containers with water if exposed to fire. Avoid inhaling combustion gases.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves and safety goggles; avoid inhaling dust.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large spills from entering waterways. Collect spillage and dispose as non-hazardous waste.
Cleanup Methods: Sweep or vacuum resin granules or powder; dispose in properly labeled containers. Small spills can be cleaned with damp cloths.
Protective Measures: Remove ignition sources if powder dust is present.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid creating excessive dust. Use with adequate ventilation. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas where resin is present.
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas. Keep away from direct sunlight, moisture, strong acids, oxidizers, and high heat sources.
Packing Materials: Store in original, tightly closed packaging.
Special Considerations: Use care while handling molten resin to prevent burns.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general dilution ventilation to minimize dust or fume exposure.
Exposure Limits: No specific exposure limits established for polyamide. Keep below nuisance dust levels (10 mg/m³ total dust, 3 mg/m³ respirable).
Personal Protection: Use safety glasses with side shields. Wear heat-resistant gloves when handling hot resin. Respiratory protection recommended if dust or decomposition fumes exceed limits.
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands after handling and before eating, smoking, or using the toilet.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to pale yellow granules, beads, or powder.
Odor: Nearly odorless in solid form.
pH: Not applicable (insoluble in water).
Melting Point: Ranges from 160°C to 220°C depending on grade.
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling.
Flash Point: Above 300°C.
Solubility: Insoluble in water; partially soluble in strong acids.
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature.
Density: 1.02 – 1.18 g/cm³ (varies by type and filler content).
Partition Coefficient: Not applicable.
Viscosity: Not applicable in solid state.
Explosive Properties: Dust may form explosive mixtures with air.
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Typically above 400°C.
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable (solid).

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Resin remains stable at normal storage and handling conditions.
Decomposition: Prolonged heating or burning releases hazardous fumes (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, traces of hydrogen cyanide).
Reactivity: Inert to most common chemicals at room temperature.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid open flames, high temperatures, and contact with strong oxidizing agents.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, oxidizers.
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not self-polymerize further.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Not toxic by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact in the solid state. Inhalation of fumes during melting or burning causes irritation or symptoms like headache, nausea, and dizziness.
Irritation: Dust may cause mild irritation to eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract.
Sensitization: Not known to cause skin or respiratory sensitization.
Chronic Effects: No evidence of carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity.
Other Effects: Effects of heated or decomposed resin are more serious due to fume inhalation.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Low toxicity to aquatic life; issues come mainly from physical littering or entanglement.
Persistence and Degradability: Polyamide resists breakdown in soil and water, persisting for years.
Bioaccumulation: Not expected; large molecules do not accumulate in tissues.
Mobility: Insoluble and heavy granules will settle out in water bodies.
Other Hazards: Large spills may mechanically obstruct water flow or harm animals through ingestion.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Residual or waste resin should go to a licensed industrial waste facility. Recover or recycle if practical.
Incineration: Incineration recommended as long as facilities control emissions.
Landfill: Acceptable under local regulations.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers before disposal or recycle.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid uncontrolled release to the environment.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for transport.
Proper Shipping Name: Polyamide resin, not restricted.
Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous.
Packing Group: Not assigned.
Marine Pollutant: Not listed as a marine pollutant.
DOT/IMDG/IATA: Not regulated under major transport codes.
Special Precautions: Avoid excessive handling to prevent dust formation and packaging damage in transit.

Regulatory Information

Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to OSHA, GHS, or other major regulatory frameworks for solid form.
Labeling: Not required under CLP or OSHA hazard communication standards for solid material, but hazard information on process fumes applies.
Inventory Status: Present on major chemical inventories (TSCA, EU REACH, Canada DSL, Japan ENCS).
Right-to-Know: Polyamide resins are not on U.S. state right-to-know lists but check for any additives in formula.
Restrictions: None specific for the base resin; additives or pigments may attract additional requirements.
SARA 313: None of the components are subject to reporting requirements.
RoHS/ELV Compliance: Most resins comply, but always check formulation for restricted substances.
Other Notes: Safety data and regulatory compliance must reflect current local, regional, and national laws.