1. Identification of the substance/preparation and company

Product details
DUPONT

Melinex®

2. Composition/information on ingredients

Melinex™ is the trademark for ICI’s range of baxially orientated films made from polyethylene terephthalate. This product does not contain deliberate additions of cadmium.

CAS No: 23038-59-9

HAZARDOUS INGREDIENT (S) CAS No. Symbol R Phrases

No classifiable hazardous ingredient (s).

3. Hazards identification

Unlikely to cause harmful effects under normal conditions of handling and use.

4. First aid measures

Only normally needed for the thermal burns and for inhalation of smoke from burning material. Treat in the same way as other thermal burns and wood smoke inhalation.

Inhalation: Remove patient from exposure. Obtain medical attention if ill effects occur.

Skin Contact: Molten material can cause several burns. Do NOT try to peel molten polymer from the skin. Cool rapidly with water. Obtain immediate medical attention.

Eye Contact: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

Ingestion: Unlikely to be required but if necessary treat symptomatically.

Further Medial Treatment

Unlikely to be required but if necessary treat symptomatically.

5. Fire-fighting measures

Combustible but not readily ignited.
Unlikely to ignite except in high heat flux conditions.
Thin films (<23 micron) will shrink away from the heat sources or flame.
Persistent application of a flame will ignite the material.
Burning is accompanied by melting and dripping which may cause the fire to spread.
Combustion will evolve toxic and irritant vapours. These vapours are broadly comparable to those of many natural products such as wood.
At complete combustion the major products formed will include oxides of carbon and water.

During incomplete combustion a complex range of volatile organic compounds including trans esterefication, combustion, reaction products and lower levels of hydrocyanic acid will be formed in addition to carbon dioxide, water and carbon monoxide.

Extinguishing Media: Normal extinguishing media.

6. Accidental release measures

Scrap film generated through processing, eg slitting / shredding, should be swept up and disposed of on drums or plastic bags.

7. Handling and storage

Handling

Thick gauges of film have very sharp edges, which can easily cause cuts.

Process Hazards:

Static – In most processes in which there is movement of film (of any kind) over metal or other rollers, surface electrical charges develop on the film. Static charges should be eliminated or reduced as much as possible, since they can provide a source of ignition for flammable vapours and gases or may give electrical shock to operators. Use either passive or active static eliminators to reduce the charges.

Reeling – Machine design and work practices should be organised to remove the danger of trapping parts of the body, or clothing, in reeled materials and between film and machinery parts.

Dusts – Operations which produce dusts (eg, compounding, tape slitting, cutting and grinding) should be controlled so that the appropriate exposure standards for dusts is not exceeded.
Suitable respiratory equipment should be used in cases of insufficient ventilation or where operational procedures demand it.

Heating during processing

Extra care should be taken to prevent from contact with hot material.
All polymers degrade to some extent at their processing temperature, an effect which increases with increasing temperature. Melinex has a relatively high upper melting point of 255 – 260 deg C. Prior to this temperature, film shrinkage will occur – the degree being time / temperature related.
Chemicals produced during thermal decomposition are highly dependent upon temperature and conditions. It is therefore impossible to be precise about which substances may be evolved. However, it is only the minor components which vary substantially. The major components are given in section 10. Atmospheric levels should be controlled using the principles of good occupational hygiene practice.

Storage

Keep away from heat and sources of ignition.

Storage temperature: Ambient. Exposure to extremes of heat and cold should be avoided.
Avoid extremes of humidity.

7.3 Block stacking of reels

We advise that reels of film should not be stacked more than two pallets high.

8. Exposure controls/personal protection

Personal protective equipment

Wear suitable gloves to avoid cuts from sharp edges of films >125 micron thickness.

Wear eye / face protection.

Other: The following values apply to dusts which may be formed during cold processing (e.g. cutting, grinding, stamping).

Occupational Exposure Limits

9. Physical and chemical properties

10. Stability and reactivity

11. Toxicological information

12. Ecological information

Environmental Fate and Distribution
High tonnage material produced in partially contained systems.
Solid with low volatility.
The product is essential insoluble in water.

Toxicity
Adverse effects would not be expected.

13. Disposal considerations

Where Melinex waste occurs in a clean uncontaminated form, that cannot be reused in the film process, it can be recycled into polyester fibre.
The product can be landfilled. It will remain virtually unchanged when buried for very long periods.
The product should be burned in an incinerator capable of high temperatures and long residence times, to ensure complete combustion.
Disposal should be in accordance with local, state or national legislation.

14. Transport information

Not classified as Dangerous for Transport.

15. Regulatory information

Not classified as Dangerous for Supply / Use.

16. Other information

This data sheet was prepared in accordance with Directive 93/112/EC.

Use: Printing, packaging, laminating, coating

There are many Melinex grades which have full regulatory approval for food contact applications in both Europe and the USA. Please consult ICI Melinex for confirmation of food contact status