Ethanol mist for cutting aluminium

[phill05]

Hazard Communication Sheet ETHANOL C2H5OH Ethyl Alcohol DESCRIPTION Clear, colourless, mobile liquid with characteristic odour; m.p. -130o C; b.p. 79o C. Miscible with water. CAS: 64-17-5. UN number: 1170. HEALTH HAZARDS IRRITANT: Irritating to the eyes Eye contact with liquid causes pain and severe irritation. May cause chemical conjunctivitis and corneal damage. Exposure to high vapour concentrations causes irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, headache, giddiness and nausea. Swallowing causes narcotic effects (headache, giddiness, nausea, vomiting with coma and death in severe cases).Repeated excessive intake causes liver damage. Liquid degreases the skin and repeated contact may cause cracking. FIRST-AID Inhalation: Remove from source of exposure. If breathing stops or shows signs of failing apply artificial respiration. Use oxygen if breathing is laboured. Obtain medical help. Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and flush affected area with water for at least 15 minutes. Treat patient as for inhalation. Obtain medical help. Eyes: Flood with eyewash or water for at least 15 minutes. Obtain medical help. Ingestion: Wash out mouth with water. Treat as for inhalation. Obtain medical help. SAFETY HAZARDS INCOMPATIBLE with strong oxidising agents, acids, alkali metals, ammonia, hydrazine, peroxides, sodium, acid anhydrides, calcium hypochlorite, chromyl chloride, bromine pentafluoride, silver nitrate, mercuric nitrate, potassium tertbutoxide, acid chlorides, platinum, uranium hexafluoride, silver oxide, iodine heptafluoride, acetyl bromide, disulphuryl difluoride, tetrachlorosilane + water, acetyl chloride, permanganic acid, ruthenium (VIII) oxide, potassium dioxide. EXPLOSION HAZARD. Forms flammable/explosive vapour/air mixtures. Take precautions against static discharges. Ground and bond containers when transferring bulk material. Use spark-proof tools and explosion proof equipment. FIRE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. Flash point 12o C. Explosive limits 3.3-19%. For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam. For large fires, use water spray, fog, or alcohol-resistant foam. Use water spray to cool fire-exposed containers. Do not use straight streams of water. Use self-contained breathing apparatus if fire is large or in a confined space.

[Christian Knuell]

Hi,

Ethanol burns and if you're unlucky you can create an explosive aerosol - but small quantities with good ventilation in a big room are usually no issue.

The trouble starts if the quantity is too large to evaporate rapidly so you end up with a pool of highly flammable liquid or if the machine is in an enclosure or small room with bad ventilation where explosive concentrations are easy to create.

The cost for pure ethanol is mainly a question of taxation - there are no cheap sources for alcohol in food-safe quality. But purity is not an issue for machining.
From a health point of view it is always good to minimize exposure to any vapor - but if you only have the choice between alcohol and other coolants alcohol will usually be the lesser of two evils.

So... be aware of the fire and explosion hazard, keep a suitable fire extinguisher around and never let the machine run without supervision.

Christian