Safety Profile
A low-melting alloy of
Na and K. Its toxicity is due to either Na or
K alone. Corrosive to the eyes, skin, and
mucous membranes. Upon contact with
moisture it reacts violently to evolve H2;
much heat; and a highly caustic residue of
NaOH or KOH. Oxidation forms Na2O
and K2O, whch are powerful caustics.
A dangerous fire and explosion hazard.
Violent or explosive reaction with O2, water,
moisture, steam, halogens, oxidzers, acids
or acid fumes, gving off much heat,
hydrogen, toxic and corrosive fumes, often
spattering either red-hot particles or actually
flaming particles. A severe explosion hazard,
wiU react explosively under the appropriate
condtions with moisture, acids, acid fumes,
solid CO2, carbon disulfide, halocarbons
(e.g., CH3Cl, carbon tetrachloride,
chloroform, bromoform,1,1,1-
trichloroethane, 1,1,2-
trichlorotrifluoroethane, tetrachloroethane,
CH2Cl2, CH2l2), ammonium sulfate + NH4
+ No3, HgO, metal halides (e.g., silver
halides, zinc chloride, iron(Ⅲ) chloride),
metal oxides (e.g., silver oxide, mercury
oxide), nitrogen-containing explosives (e.g.,
ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, picric acid, nitrobenzene), oxalyl bromide,
oxalyl chloride, pentachloroethane, K
oxides, KO2, Si, NaHCO3,
polytetrafluoroethylene. Reacts vigorously
with oxidizing materials.
To fight fire, use G-1 powder, dry sodum
chloride, dry sodium carbonate, dry calcium
carbonate, dry sand, resin-coated sodium
chloride, or dry soda ash. Never use water,
graphite, carbon dioxide, halocarbons, or
foam.
Dangerous; when heated it emits highly
toxic fumes of Na2O and K2O. Used as a
liquid coolant for nuclear reactor cores. See
also SODIUM and POTASSIUM.
