1. David Street
Boksburg-East
THERMITREX (PTY) LTD. P.O. Box 6070
Reg. No. 71/07619/07 Dunswart,
SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF Gauteng 1508
THERMIT® WELDING CONSUMABLES AND EQUIPMENT R.S.A.
914-2540/6
Fax : 914-2547
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
THERMIT WELDING IGNITERS
In accordance with current legislation, the substance referred to below has been tested and examined to
ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, that it is safe and without risk to health, if properly used. As a
result, these notes have been prepared to draw attention to known hazardous characteristics and to the
basic precautions to be taken by persons using the substance at work.
SECTION I – MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION
Material Name : Thermit Welding Igniters
Other Names : Igniters
Thermit “Sparklers”
Thermit Igniters
Pyrotechnics for technical use
Application : Primarily used to initiate the Alumino-Thermic reaction
Company/Undertaking Identification : Thermitrex (Pty) Ltd, David Street, Boksburg East,
Gauteng, South Africa
Telephone : (011) 914 2540/6
Emergency Tel. No. : 08H00 – 16H30 AT (011) 914 2540/6
Substance Identification number : UN Number 0454 class 1.4S
SECTION II – COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS AND HAZARDS
CHEMICAL DESCRIPTION: HAZARDOUS DATA INGREDIENTS:
Each igniter consists of a steel core wire Not regulated
having a deposit fixed to one end consisting of
not more than 5 grams of the following
Barium Nitrate
Aluminium Powder
Stabiliser and
Binder
These igniters are packed in identified
Cardboard tubes, each containing no
More than 50.
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2. David Street
Boksburg-East
THERMITREX (PTY) LTD. P.O. Box 6070
Reg. No. 71/07619/07 Dunswart,
SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF Gauteng 1508
THERMIT® WELDING CONSUMABLES AND EQUIPMENT R.S.A.
914-2540/6
Fax : 914-2547
SECTION III – PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance : Silver/Grey stick with steel core wire protruding on one side.
Odour : None.
Flash point : Not applicable.
Lower explosive limit : No data, this mixture is not normally present as dust.
Self ignition temperature : No data, but keep away from hot surfaces above 100 ° C and naked
flames.
SECTION IV – FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA
Fire And Explosion Hazards
Fire hazard high. The igniters has no explosive potential when ignited unconfined, but has some explosive power when
strongly initiated and strongly confined. Sensitive to friction but relatively insensitive to impact.
Poisonous Fumes/Vapour
Burning mixture emits toxic fumes containing metal oxides and oxides of nitrogen – this is only significant when many
igniters are burned simultaneously.
Extinguishing Media
HAZCHEM code: Rapid burning and impossible to extinguish. Keep clear. Firefighting confine to prevent spread to
surrounding materials. Do not attempt to extinguish the burning igniters.
Protective Measures
During a fire, toxic fumes may be given off, wear breathing apparatus. For welding operations involving igniters wear heat
resisting gloves, dark goggles for eye protection, safety shoes. Fire resisting clothing is recommended.
SECTION V – STABILITY AND REACTIVITY DATA
Stability : Stable.
Conditions to avoid : Igniters should be kept dry at all times, they should be kept in a closed
box only one igniter should be removed from the box at a time. Lighting
of igniters should be done at arms length. The box of igniters should be
kept away from the immediate welding area.
Do not store large quantities of igniters together. Keep away from
Thermit or other combustible materials and all means of ignition.
2

3. David Street
Boksburg-East
THERMITREX (PTY) LTD. P.O. Box 6070
Reg. No. 71/07619/07 Dunswart,
SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF Gauteng 1508
THERMIT® WELDING CONSUMABLES AND EQUIPMENT R.S.A.
914-2540/6
Fax : 914-2547
SECTION VI – HEALTH AND HAZARDS INFORMATION
Health Hazards : No data available for igniters as such.
Personal Protective equipment : For welding operations involving igniters wear heat resisting gloves, dark
goggles for eye protection and safety shoes. Fire resistant clothing is
recommended.
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
ACUTE CHRONIC
Skin contact When dry limited skin contact is
not harmful
Skin absorption When wet the requirements for the
component compounds in particular barium
nitrate should be followed (igniters should
be kept dry at all times)
Ingestion, Inhalation, Eyes
FIRST AID MEASURES:
Induce vomiting and seek medical treatment if a person is suspected to have swallowed the substance.
Seek medical treatment when anyone has symptoms apparently due to inhalation of fumes produced in a fire.
If substance or fumes produced in fire have got into the eyes, wash out immediately with water.
Due to delayed effect of fumes, affected person/s should be kept under medical observation for at least 48 hours.
Injuries almost invariably burns, which may be serious.
Call expert medical assistance immediately.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Biodegradability : No Data Cited.
Aquatic Toxicity : No Data Cited.
Other : No Data Cited.
3

4. David Street
Boksburg-East
THERMITREX (PTY) LTD. P.O. Box 6070
Reg. No. 71/07619/07 Dunswart,
SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF Gauteng 1508
THERMIT® WELDING CONSUMABLES AND EQUIPMENT R.S.A.
914-2540/6
Fax : 914-2547
SECTION VII – SPILL, LEAK AND DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
Precautions : Cover with earth or sand.
Do not flush road with water in the event of a spillage.
Igniters scattered loose and possible wetted or else broken should be
buried or burned in a safe place. Any “spillage” is unlikely to involve
more than 50 igniters.
Recovery : Broken igniters should be cleaned up using non-sparkling equipment.
The use of natural bristle brushes is advised.
SECTION VIII – SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATAION
Storage : Store in dry place. Igniters should be kept in a closed box.
SECTION IX – SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND COMMENTS
Igniters have a flammable composition and burns with an intense flame. Igniters decomposes in fire, giving off toxic fumes.
Handle and store igniters only as prescribed.
Symptoms may develop after several hours.
SECTION X – TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Packaging (size and description). The sealed cardboard tubes, each containing 50 igniters, are packed 64 tubes per special
cardboard box (400 mm x 320 mm x 325 mm) thus 3200 igniters per box.
The nett weight of the explosive substance is 16kg.
Transport Hazard symbol
1.4.
S
1
= Orange label
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5. David Street
Boksburg-East
THERMITREX (PTY) LTD. P.O. Box 6070
Reg. No. 71/07619/07 Dunswart,
SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF Gauteng 1508
THERMIT® WELDING CONSUMABLES AND EQUIPMENT R.S.A.
914-2540/6
Fax : 914-2547
References:
Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology – Frank Patty
Toxicity of Industrial Metals – Ethel Browning
Dangerous properties of Industrial Materials – H. Irving SAX
If in doubt, please contact the above telephone/fax number for further information.
Approved by:
C.A.C. LLOYD
MANAGING DIRECTOR TECHNICAL
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