Vinyl chloride monomer flammability

VINYL CHLORIDE or VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER or VINYL C MONOMER (75-01-4) Extremely flammable liquefied gas (flash point — 108°F/—78°C). Forms unstable... 

Vinyl chloride monomer is a flammable gas, class 2.1, which is easily ignited and which produces hazardous combustion gases largely composed of hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide. The odor of vinyl chloride vapors is pleasant, and when inhaled acts as an anesthetic. 

VINYL CHLORIDE Chloroethylene, Chloroethene, Vinyl C Monomer, VCL, VCM Flammable Compressed Gas 2 4 1... 

Many of the hazards from the polymer industry arise from the monomers used as raw materials. Many monomers are reactive and flammable, with a tendency to form explosive vapor mixtures with air. All have a certain degree of toxicity vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen. The combustion of many polymers may result in the evolution of toxic gases, such as hydrogen cyanide... 

Vinyl chloride is a gas under ambient conditions and exerts about 2 atm at 0 °C, but can be easily liquefied under moderate pressure. Storage and handling should be under an inert atmosphere since the monomer is capable of peroxide formation. The monomer is flammable and its vapour represents an explosion hazard. OSHA regulations require worker exposure to vinyl chloride to be no greater then 1 ppm over any 8 h period. 

Vinyl acetate is relatively inexpensive and is readily copolymerized with vinyl chloride, ethylene, acrylates and methacrylates. The monomer is a colourless, flammable liquid with an initial pleasant odour, which on exposure becomes irritating. One of the major disadvantages of vinyl acetate-based copolymers is their poor hydrolytic and UV stability. This was shown to improve when copolymerized with vinyl esters of versatic acid [18]. Copolymers of vinyl acetate with the vinyl esters of versatic acid have been used in Europe for the last quarter-century. In the US similar monomers were introduced in the past five years, two of which are illustrated in Table 6.1, namely, vinyl pivalate and vinyl neo-decanoate. More details of the copolymerization of these monomers with vinyl acetate is given in Chapter 16. 

Hazardous Decomp. Prods. CO, CO2, acrid fumes NFPA Health 2, Flammability 3, Reactivity 2 Uses Monomer for synthesis of nitrile rubber, PVAc emulsions, PVOH, EVA copolymers, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, PVBI, and vinyl acetate-acrylonitrile copolymers in polymerized form for plastic masses, films, lacquers, latex paints, adhesives, textile finishing, safety glass interlayers textile hand modifier binder for paper coatings esterification for food starch modified film-former in cosmetics food pkg. adhesives resinous/polymeric food-contact coatings for polyolefin films food-contact paper/paperboard, ionomeric resins, copolymers, laminates, resin-bonded filters, textiles... 

METHYL-l-PHENYL-ETHYLENE (98-83-9) C9H10 Flammable liquid. Forms explosive mixture with air [explosion limits in air (vol %) 0.9 to 6.1 flash point 129°F/54°C autoignition temp 1066°F/574°C Fire Rating 2], Easily polymerizable. Unless inhibited, forms unstable peroxides. Reacts with heat and/or lack of appropriate inhibitor concentration. Reacts with catalysts for vinyl or ionic polymerization, such as aluminum, iron chloride or 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(ieri-butylperoxy)hexane. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, butyl lithium, oleum, xenon tetrafluoride. Incon atible with acids. The uninhibited monomer vapor may block vents and confined spaces by, forming a solid polymer material. Attacks aluminum and copper. On small fires, use dry chemical powder (such as Purple-K-Powder), foam, or CO2 extinguishers. 

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