Tungsten Carbide
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Grade Charts
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Tungsten Carbide Material Safety Data Sheet
1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company / undertaking |
1.1: Product identifier |
Substance Name |
Tungsten Carbide |
Chemical Name and Formula |
Cemented Tungsten Carbide (CW) with Cobalt/Nickel Binder |
CAS No. |
12070-12-1 |
EINECS No. |
235-123-0 |
Molecular weight |
195.851 |
Trade Name/Synonyms |
All Federal Carbide Cemented Tungsten Carbide Grades |
1.2: Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against |
Identified Uses |
- Production of hardmetal powder
- Production of sintered hardmetal articles
- Production of WC-containing diamond tools
- Powder metallurgical production of WC-containing articles
- Application of WC-containing coatings via thermal spraying
- Use of WC-containing articles
- Recycling of WC-containing scrap materials
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Uses advised against |
Not applicable |
1.3: Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet |
Name |
Federal Carbide Company |
Address |
One Eagle Ridge Road, Tyrone, PA 16686 USA |
Phone |
(814) 684-7600 |
Fax |
(814) 684-9400 |
Email |
Inquiry@federalcarbide.com |
1.4 : Emergency telephone number |
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National centre for Prevention and Treatment of Intoxications No. |
1-800-222-1222 |
Emergency telephone at the company
Available outside office hours |
(814) 684-7600 |
Yes |
X No8:30am – 5pm EST |
2: Hazards Identification |
2.1: Classification of the substance or mixture |
Classification according to EC 1272/2008: |
Not Classified |
Classification according to 67/548/EEC: |
Not Classified |
2.2: Label elements (according to EC 1272/2008 ) |
Hazard pictogram(s): |
No pictogram |
Signal word: |
No signal word |
Hazard Statement(s): |
None |
Precautionary statement(s): |
None |
2.3: Other Hazards |
PBT or vPvB |
Tungsten carbide is an inorganic substance and therefore, the PBT and vPvB assessment is not required. |
3: Composition / information on ingredients |
3.1: Substances |
Material |
CAS# |
% by Weight* |
OSHA TWA (mg/m3) |
ACGIH TWA (mg/m3) |
OSHA STEL (mg/m3) |
Tungsten Carbide (limits for tungsten dusts) |
12070-12-1 |
40 – 97
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5
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5
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10
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Cobalt |
7440-48-4 |
0 – 30 |
0.1 |
0.02 |
- |
Nickel |
7440-02-0 |
0 – 30 |
1 |
1 |
- |
Tantalum Carbide (limits for tantalum dusts) |
12070-06-3 |
0 – 50
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5 |
5 |
- |
Chromium Carbide (limits for trivalent chromium dusts) |
7440-47-3 |
0 - 5 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
- |
*Total impurities less than 2% and no single impurity greater than 0.1% is considered relevant for the classification and labelling.
* Depends on grade specification.
TWA – Time Weighted Average (an employee’s average airborne exposure in any 8 hour shift of a 40 hour work week).
STEL – Short Term Exposure level (an employee’s 15 minute time weighted average exposure at any time during a work day).
This product contains substances that are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 313 of the Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Realization Act of 1986 and 40 CFR Part 372.
4: First aid measures |
4.1: Description of first aid measures |
Eyes |
Rinse opened eye for several minutes under running water. Consult a doctor if required. |
Inhalation |
Remove to fresh air. Seek medical attention if required. |
Ingestion |
Rinse mouth with water and drink plenty of water afterwards. Seek medical advice if required. |
Skin |
Immediately wash with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Seek medical attention if required. |
General advise |
After first aid, get appropriate medical attention. |
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4.2: Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed |
In general, metal powders or dust may cause mechanical eye and skin irritation. Inhalation of powder or dust may cause mild respiratory tract irritation. |
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4.3: Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed |
None known |
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5: Firefighting measures |
5.1: Extinguishing media |
Substance is non-flammable. Extinguishing methods depend upon hazards in vicinity. Use water or dry extinguishing powders, sand, CO2 or other inert material as extinguishing media. Do not use water if any water-reactive metal powders are nearby. |
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5.2: Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture |
No hazardous decomposition products are known. |
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5.3: Advice for firefighters |
Use a self-contained breathing apparatus and a protective suit. |
6: Accidental release measures |
6.1: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures |
Avoid contact with skin and eyes, and formation and accumulation of dust. Use personal protective equipment (ie gloves, safety goggles, dust respirator) as specified in Section 8 of this SDS. Ventilate area of spill. |
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6.2: Environmental precautions |
Avoid release into the environment. |
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6.3: Methods and material for containment and cleaning up |
Use clean-up methods which avoid dust generation, such as vacuuming (with filter that prevents re-suspension of dust) or wet clean-up, and fill into appropriate sealable containers. Clean remaining spills with water. Dispose of wastes according to regulations. |
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6.4: Reference to other sections |
See sections 8 and 13 for exposure controls and disposal considerations. |
7: Handling and storage |
7.1: Precautions for safe handling |
Ensure adequate ventilation and, if necessary, exhaust ventilation when handling or transferring this material. Use good housekeeping procedures to prevent accumulation of dust and ensure that accepted limit values are complied with. Wear personal protective equipment when handling. |
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7.2: Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities |
Store in tightly closed containers in a well ventilated area. Store under dry and cool conditions, and away from incompatible materials (oxidizing agents) and direct sunlight. |
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7.3: Specific end use(s) |
- Production of hardmetal powder
- Production of sintered hardmetal articles
- Production of WC-containing diamond tools
- Powder metallurgical production of WC-containing articles
- Application of WC-containing coatings via thermal spraying
- Use of WC-containing articles
- Recycling of WC-containing scrap materials
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8: Exposure controls / personal protection |
8.1 : Control parameters |
* Inhalable aerosol; †15-minutes
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DNELs and PNECs |
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Exposure pattern |
Route |
DNEL |
Long-term - systemic effects |
Dermal |
Workers: 1.8 mg/kg bw/day (1.7 mg W/kg/day)
General Population: 0.51 mg/kg bw/day (0.48 mg W/kg/day) |
Long-term - systemic effects |
Inhalation |
Workers: 6.2 mg/m³ (5.8 mg W/m3)
General Population: 1.8 mg/m³ (1.7 mg W/m3) |
Long-term - systemic effects |
Oral |
Workers: Not applicable
General Population: 0.51 mg/kg bw/day (0.48 mg W/kg/day) |
The most relevant routes of potential exposure to workers would be the dermal and inhalation routes and the relevant routes of exposure for the general population are the oral, dermal, and inhalation routes. Based on the available acute toxicity data (oral, dermal, inhalation), tungsten carbide is not an acute toxicant and therefore, derivation of DNEL long-term will be sufficient to control potential risks associated with short-term exposures. In addition, tungsten carbide was not irritating to either the eyes or skin and was not sensitizing to the skin in standard tests. Therefore, tungsten carbide does not appear to elicit local toxicity effects and deriving a DNEL for local effects is not necessary. |
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PNEC |
Value |
PNEC aqua – freshwater |
0.338 mg dissolved tungsten/L |
PNEC aqua - marine water |
0.0338 mg dissolved tungsten/L |
PNEC aqua – intermittent releases |
0.310 mg dissolved tungsten/L |
PNEC sediment freshwater |
960 mg tungsten/kg |
PNEC sediment marine |
96 mg tungsten/kg |
PNEC soil |
2.17 mg tungsten/kg dry soil |
PNEC sewage treatment plant |
9.39 mg tungsten/L |
PNEC oral |
11 mg tungsten/kg food |
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8.2: Exposure controls |
Appropriate engineering controls: |
Engineering controls may include local ventilation systems with dust filters depending on degree of process automation and containment (e.g. closed vs. open processes). |
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Individual protection measures: |
Eye/face protection |
Use of safety glasses as appropriate and reasonably necessary, depending on degree of process automation and containment (e.g. closed vs. open processes). |
Skin protection |
Use of work gloves and work clothes as appropriate and reasonably necessary, depending on degree of process automation and containment (e.g. closed vs. open processes). |
Respiratory protection |
Use of respiratory protection as appropriate and reasonably necessary, depending on degree of process automation and containment (e.g. closed vs. open processes). |
Environmental exposure controls |
FACILITY LEVEL ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSIONS/MITIGATION1 |
Air Emission Controls
RMMs for air (present in >90% of the sites2):
• Fabric or bag filters (reported most common)
• Wet scrubbers (reported second most common)
• Ceramic filters
• Dry or semi-dry scrubbers
• Electrostatic precipitation (not common)
Water Emission Controls
The 50th percentile or reported site-specific removal efficiency for nine sites. RMMs for water (present in >90% of the sites for metal compound production2):
• Chemical precipitation
• Sedimentation
• Filtration
• Electrolysis (not common) |
1 Typical RMMs are provided for illustrative purposes and should be applied as appropriate and reasonably necessary to prevent adverse effects, indicated by a risk characterisation ratio (RCR) of less than one, on human health and the environment.
2 Based on input parameters derived from the Specific Emission Release Categories (spERCs) for metals (ARCHE, 2010), spERC for Manufacture and Recycling of Massive Metal and Metal Powder v.1.2. |
9: Physical and chemical properties |
9.1: Information on basic physical and chemical properties |
Appearance |
Black or grey powder |
Odor |
Odorless |
Odor threshold |
Not applicable as the substance is odorless |
pH |
Not relevant due to physical form (powder) |
Melting point/freezing point |
2785-2920°C |
Initial boiling point/boiling range |
6000°C |
Flash point |
Not relevant as the substance is inorganic |
Evaporation rate |
Not relevant due to physical form (powder) |
Flammability |
Non-Flammable |
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits |
Not relevant as the substance is not flammable |
Vapor pressure |
Not relevant due to physical form |
Vapor density |
Not relevant due to physical form |
Relative density |
15.63 - 15.7 g/cm3 |
Solubility in water |
Insoluble |
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water) |
Not relevant as the substance is inorganic |
Auto-ignition temperature |
Tungsten carbide is not a self-heating substance down to a particle FSSS size of 0.53 µm |
Decomposition temperature |
Greater than 2920°C (melting point) |
Viscosity |
Not relevant due to physical form (powder) |
Explosive properties |
Not explosive |
Oxidising properties |
Not oxidising |
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9.2: Other information |
Granulometry |
Varies with grade composition |
10: Stability and reactivity |
10.1: Reactivity |
No hazardous reactions known. |
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10.2: Chemical stability |
Stable under normal ambient and anticipated storage and handling conditions of temperature and pressure. |
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10.3: Possibility of hazardous reactions |
None known |
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10.4: Conditions to avoid |
Avoid formation and accumulation of dust. |
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10.5: Incompatible materials |
None known |
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10.6: Hazardous decomposition products |
None known |
11: Toxicological information |
Toxicological information is available for tungsten carbide. However, for some of the endpoints in this section read across to tungsten blue oxide or sodium tungstate needed to be conducted due to the lack of relevant tungsten carbide data. |
11.1: Information on toxicological effects |
Acute oral |
Rat (male/female) LD50 reported to be >2000 mg/kg bw (OECD 401). |
Acute inhalation |
Rat (male/female) LC50 (4h) reported to be >5.3 mg/L (OECD 403). |
Acute dermal |
Rat (male/female) LD50 reported to be >2000 mg/kg bw (OECD 402). |
Skin corrosion/irritation |
In a skin irritation study conducted on rabbits (male), tungsten carbide elicited no dermal irritation (OECD 404). |
Eye damage/irritation |
In an eye irritation study conducted on rabbits, tungsten carbide elicited no eye irritation (OECD 405). |
Respiratory/skin sensitisation |
In a Guinea pig maximization test (OECD 406), tungsten carbide did not produce evidence of skin sensitisation (delayed contact hypersensitivity) in any of the test animals.
No respiratory sensitization study is available for tungsten carbide. |
Germ cell mutagenicity |
Tungsten carbide was negative for mutagenicity in an in vitro bacterial gene mutation assay (OECD 471), and an in vitro micronucleus assay (OECD 487). No in vitro L5178Y TK +/- mouse lymphoma forward mutation assay (OECD 476) data of sufficient quality is available for WC. However, in vitro L5178Y TK +/- mouse lymphoma forward mutation assay is available for tungsten metal and results were negative. Based on the lack of mutagenicity reported in in vitro assays, tungsten carbide is not considered a mutagen. |
Carcinogenicity |
No carcinogenicity data available. |
Reproductive toxicity |
No reproductive/developmental studies are available for tungsten carbide. However, data are available on sodium tungstate and tungsten blue oxide, which are used for read across. Tungsten carbide is not considered a reproductive toxicant based on a one-generation reproductive study (EPA OPPTS 870.3800/870.3650) on sodium tungstate that resulted in no significant effects on reproductive/developmental parameters, as well as a lack of reproductive organ effects in male and female rats following a 28 -days inhalation exposure (OECD 412) to tungsten blue oxide. |
STOT single exposure |
No significant systemic effects were observed. |
STOT repeated exposure |
Exposure to tungsten carbide to a concentration of 15 mg/m3 for 90-days (OECD 413) resulted in a female rat NOAEL of ≥15 mg/m3 and a male rat LOAEL of 15 mg/m3 (based on mild histopathological alterations in the lungs). In addition, a rat 28-day inhalation toxicity study on tungsten blue oxide (OECD 412), which is used for read across resulted in a NOAEL of 0.65 mg/L (maximum dose tested) as no significant adverse effects were observed at any of the doses tested. |
Aspiration hazard |
Tungsten carbide is not an expected aspiration hazard due to physical form. |
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Information on likely routes of exposure |
The relevant routes of exposure for the general population are the oral, dermal, and inhalation routes. The most relevant routes of potential exposure to workers would be the dermal and inhalation routes. |
Symptoms related to the physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics |
In general, metal powders or dust may cause mechanical eye and skin irritation. Inhalation of powder or dust may cause mild respiratory tract irritation. |
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Delayed and immediate effects as well as chronic effects from short and long-term exposure |
None known |
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Interactive effects |
None known |
12: Ecological information |
Limited ecological information is available for tungsten carbide. Therefore, read across to sodium tungstate was conducted for some of the endpoints in this section. |
12.1: Toxicity |
Toxicity to fish |
Zebrafish 96-h LC50 >1000 mg tungsten carbide/L (OECD 203).
Zebrafish 38-day flow-through early-life stage/reproduction/ (sub)lethal effects NOEC ≥9.8 mg sodium tungstate/L (approximately 5.74 mg tungsten/L) (OECD 210). |
Toxicity to invertebrates |
Daphnia magna 48-h EC50 >1000 mg tungsten carbide/L (OECD 202).
Daphnia magna 21-day NOEC based on immobilisation ≥85.1 mg sodium tungstate/L (approximately 50 mg tungsten/L) (OECD 211).
Daphnia magna 21-day NOEC based on reproduction and growth 44.2 mg sodium tungstate/L (approximately 26 mg tungsten/L) (OECD 211). |
Toxicity to algae and plants |
Desmodesmus subspicatus (algae) 72-h EC50 based on growth rate >1 mg tungsten carbide/L (OECD 201).
Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (algae) 72-h EC50 based on growth rate >17.7 mg sodium tungstate/L (approximately 10.4 mg tungsten/L) (OECD 201).
Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (algae) 72-h NOEC based on growth rate 0.81 mg sodium tungstate/L (approximately 0.476 mg tungsten/L) (OECD 201). |
12.2: Persistence and degradability |
Although no data were available for tungsten carbide, degradation is not a relevant pathway for this substance as an inorganic metal compound. Persistence is not applicable for this substance as an inorganic substance. |
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12.3: Bioaccumulative potential |
Bioaccumulation/bioconcentration of tungsten carbide is not expected to occur in aquatic or sediment species, as the bioavailability of tungstate (the most common bioavailable form) from tungsten compounds is expected to be at low concentrations in the water column due to stream and river sediment adsorption and low potential for leaching from soils. Furthermore, any uptake mediated by transport proteins would be expected to be internally regulated. The absence of methylated tungsten species also supports the claim that bioaccumulation is not expected to be of concern for tungsten carbide as an inorganic metal compound.
Based on BCFs calculated from paired concentrations of tungsten in soil and worm, or soil and plant tissue, tungsten carbide exposures are not expected to result in the bioaccumulation of tungsten in terrestrial organisms. |
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12.4: Mobility in soil |
No data on the behavior of tungsten carbide in the environment are available. However, data for sodium tungstate and tungsten metal are expected to adequately capture the range of mobility of tungsten carbide in the environment. The adsorption/desorption is highly dependent on the characteristics of the soil system in question. For example, soil sorption coefficients of tungsten metal and sodium tungstate are found to increase with decreasing pH. Additionally, soil-tungsten systems may take up to approximately 3-4 months to reach equilibrium. Soil sorption coefficients measured for sodium tungstate ranged from 16.6 to 863 L/kg. |
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12.5: Results of PBT and vPvB assessment |
Tungsten carbide is an inorganic substance, and therefore the PBT and vPvB assessment is not required. |
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12.6: Other adverse effects |
None known |
13: Disposal considerations |
13.1: Waste treatment methods |
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FACILITY LEVEL ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSIONS/MITIGATION1 |
Waste Management Controls
Dispose in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations. Two options are recommended:
1. Re-use
2. Recycling or other recovery
Wastewater should be processed through a sewage treatment plant (STP) either on-site or off-site.
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1 Typical RMMs are provided for illustrative purposes and should be applied as appropriate and reasonably necessary to prevent adverse effects, indicated by a risk characterisation ratio (RCR) of less than one, on human health and the environment. |
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14: Transport information |
14.1: UN-No.: |
Not applicable |
14.2: UN proper shipping name: |
Not applicable |
14.3: Transport hazard class(es): |
Non-hazardous |
14.4: Packing group: |
Not applicable |
14.5: Environmental hazard(s): |
Non-hazardous |
14.6: Special precaution(s) for user: |
Non-hazardous |
14.7: Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code: |
Not applicable |
15: Regulatory information |
15.1: Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture |
EU Regulations: REACH
National Regulations: None known |
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15.2: Chemical safety assessment |
A chemical safety report has been carried out on tungsten carbide. No exposure scenarios are attached to this SDS following the European Chemicals Agency Guidance on the Compilation of Safety Data Sheets (October 2010) requirements. An exposure scenario is only required for those substances fulfilling the criteria for any of the listed hazard classes in Article 14(4) of Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) as amended by Article 58 of Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP). |
16: Other information |
Directive 67/548/EEC: |
Not classified |
Revision(s): |
SDS prepared on 3 September 2014. Prepared in accordance with Annex II of the REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 and Commission Regulation (EU) 453/2010. |
Abbreviations: |
BCF |
Bioconcentration Factor |
bw |
Body weight |
°C |
Degrees Celsius |
ca. |
Approximately |
CAS |
Chemical Abstracts Service |
cm |
Centimetre(s) |
DNEL |
Derived No Effect Level |
EC |
European Commission |
EC50 |
Effect Concentration 50% |
EEC |
European Economic Community |
EINECS |
European Inventory of Existing Commercial chemical Substances |
EU |
European Union |
FSSS |
Automated Fisher Number Particle-Sizing System |
g |
Gram(s) |
h |
Hour(s) |
kg |
Kilogram(s) |
L |
Litre(s) |
LC50 |
Lethal Concentration 50% |
LD50 |
Lethal Dose 50% |
LOAEL |
Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level |
m |
Meter(s) |
MARPOL |
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships |
mg |
Milligram(s) |
NIOSH |
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |
NOAEL |
No Observed Adverse Effect Level |
NOEC |
No Observed Effect Concentration |
No. |
Number |
OECD |
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |
PBT |
Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic |
PNEC |
Predicted No Effect Concentration |
RCR |
Risk Characterization Ratio |
REACH |
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances |
RMM |
Risk Management Measure |
SDS |
Safety Data Sheet |
spERC |
Specific Emission Release Categories |
µm |
Micrometer(s) |
vPvB |
very Persistent, very Bioaccumulative |
W |
Tungsten |
WC |
Tungsten carbide |
w/w |
Weight to weight |
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End of Safety Data Sheet |
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