Introduction
"Hydroflute" is a range of extruded corrugated plastic sheet based on Polypropylene/Ethylene Copolymer. Various grades of sheet may contain traces of process residues and may also contain minor amounts of materials such as antioxidants, anti-static agents and UV additives.
Special boards can contain large amounts of additives and the general comments made will also apply to these materials. Polypropylene has been safely used in large quantities, and in a wide variety of applications since the early 1960s.
Potential Hazards
Polypropylene is chemically unreactive and is generally regarded as being biologically inert.
There is no release of any obnoxious fumes from polypropylene at ambient temperatures.
Dust generated in handling polypropylene presents no special hazard but atmospheric dust levels should, nevertheless, be minimised. A threshold limit value of 10 mg/M3 for nuisance dusts should be observed.
Although polypropylene is inert and can be regarded as harmless, certain boards do contain additives which could be harmful and any ingestion is not recommended.
Polypropylene materials are not considered to be skin irritant.
When polypropylene is heated in air, melting will occur at 165/170°C. and decomposition will commence at about 300°C with the release of volatile, lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. These can be ignited by a flame or radiant heat source. Once ignition occurs, sufficient heat will be generated to continue decomposition and provided sufficient oxygen is present, burning will continue even when the ignition source is removed. Burning is accompanied by the release of flaming, molten droplets of polymer, which could ignite adjacent flammable materials.
Like many other organic materials, polypropylene will burn to produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water and carbon (soot), along with a considerable number of breakdown and oxidation products normally in very low concentrations. These can include certain aldehydes such as formaldehyde and acrolein. These aldehydes are irritant and lachrymatory and will cause the fumes to be irritant. This irritation is a good warning property indicating excessive exposure.
As indicated, carbon monoxide is also evolved. This is an odourless, non-irritant gas, so that its toxic effects are more insidious. However, the hazards of carbon monoxide are well known as it is evolved during the combustion of most organic materials.
Should a fire involving polypropylene occur, any commonly available fire extinguisher may be used. Power extinguishers are very effective in quenching flames although they do not have the cooling ability needed for a deep-seated fire. Water sprays are especially effective in rapidly cooling and damping down a fire, but the use of solid jets of water from fire hoses in the early stages of a fire is not recommended since they could help to spread the flames.
Calcium Carbonate Filled Grades
The fillers are totally encapsulated in polymer and thus the material does not present any unusual handling hazard.
Coloured Grades
In these grades, the pigments are encapsulated in the polymer and thus in the normal handling of the board, there should be no particular hazard. Certain colour compounds contain cadmium-based pigments and thus, where there is any likelihood of dust being generated, the threshold limit value of .05 mg/M3 (as Cadmium) should be observed. If there is any possibility of the threshold limit value being exceeded, dust masks should be worn.
Modified Burning Grades
To modify the burning characteristics of polypropylene it is necessary to add substantial amounts of materials such as antimony trioxide and halogenated organic compounds. In this board, as supplied, the additives are totally encapsulated in polymer, therefore the materials are non-hazardous. The additives present are designed to reduce the ease of ignition of the material and in small scale fires, any flaming which occurs, should be rapidly extinguished once the source of ignition is removed.
Provided sufficient heat and oxygen are available, for example the conditions in most large fires, a point will be reached when the material will continue to burn. Unlike normal polypropylene grades, burning of these grades is accompanied by the release of large volumes of smoke. The fumes produced will also be hazardous since, in addition to the carbon monoxide formed when any organic material burns, other toxic gases will be produced depending upon the additives present.
Recommended First Aid Treatment
Any materials entering the eye should be flushed out with copious volumes of water. Medical attention should be obtained immediately.
Any person inhaling fumes should be removed as quickly as possible into fresh air, kept warm, and artificial respiration applied as necessary. Medical attention should be obtained immediately.
Any molten materials on the skin should be cooled as quickly as possible, eg in cold water, but should not be pulled off. Medical attention should be obtained immediately. It is important that the medical staff involved should be fully advised of the nature of the material.
General
Corrugated boards are generally supplied on wooden non-returnable pallets with a stretch polyethylene overwrap. Care should be taken to avoid splinters, etc when handling these pallets.
Information in this technical service note is based on our general experience and is given in good faith, but because of the many particular factors which are outside our knowledge and control, and affect the use of products, no warranty is given or is to be implied with respect to such information. Freedom under patents, copyright and registered designs cannot be assumed.
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