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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

BARE COPPER WELDING RODS & ELECTRODES

1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY DESIGNATION 4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Product Name: BARE COPPER WELDING RODS & ELECTRODES No first aid measures should be required for the unused wire and rod
Product Specification AWS A5.7 consumables. During welding:
Product Classification: ERCu, ERCuSi, ERCuSn, ERCuNi, ERCuAl, Inhalation
ERCuNiAl, ERCuMnNiAl, If breathing is difficult, bring the patient in fresh air; breathe in fresh air
Recommended use: Gas Metal Arc, Gas Tungsten Arc, and Oxy Fuel Gas deeply.
welding of Copper For skin burns
Supplier: Afrox Submerge affected area in cold water until burning sensation ceases and refer
Address: P.O. Box 207, Germiston, 1400 for immediate medical attention.
Telephone number: 086020202 For eye effects such as arc eye and dusts
Telefax: (011) 821-3006 Irrigate eye with sterile water, cover with damp dressing and refer for
immediate medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion
2. DETAILS OF COMPOSITION Ingestion is considered unlikely due to product form. However, if swallowed
These wires and rods are made from solid copper alloys. The composition of do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention. Advice to doctor: treat
the alloys varies depending on the classification. Supplied on either symptomatically.
continuously wound reels, spools or in bulk packs and straight cut lengths. Electric shock
Specific details of the composition of the wire and rods covered by this data If necessary resuscitate and seek immediate medical attention.
sheet are given below.

TABLE 1: APPROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF CONSUMABLES (WT %) 5. FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES

No specific measures required for the welding consumable prior to welding.
AWS Class Cu Zn Sn Mn Fe Si Ni Al Ti Welding should not be carried out in the presence of flammable materials,
Spec (incl (incl. Co)
Ag) vapours, tanks, cisterns and pipes and other containers, which have held
A5.07 ERCu 98 min - 1.0 0.50 - 0.50 - 0.01 - flammable substances unless these have been checked and certified safe.
A5.07 ERCuSi Bal. 1.0 1.0 1.5 0.50 2.8-4.0 - 0.01 -
A5.07 ERCuSn Bal. - 4.0-6.0 - - - - 0.01 -
A5.07 ERCuNi Bal. - - 1.0 0.40-0.75 0.25 29.0-32.0 - 0.20-0.50
A5.07 ERCuAl Bal. 0.20 - 0.50 4.5 0.10 - 6.0-11.5 - 6. MEASURES IN CASE OF UNINTENTIONAL RELEASE
A5.07 ERCuNi Bal 0.10 - 0.6-3.50 3.0-5.0 0.10 4.0-5.50 8.50-9.50 - No specific actions for welding consumable prior to use.
Al Welding in proximity to stored or used halogenated solvents may produce toxic
A5.07 ERCuM Bal. 0.15 - 11.0-14.0 2.0-4.0 0.10 1.5-3.0 7.0-8.5 -
nNiAl and irritant gases. Prohibit welding in areas where these solvents are used.

Single values indicate maximum allowed.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE (FOR SAFETY)
No special precautions are required for these welding consumables.
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION Welding wires and rods are dense materials and can give rise to a handling
There are no recognised hazards associated directly with unused welding hazard when reels, spools, bulk packs and multiple packages are lifted or
consumables prior to welding. Packaged consumables may be heavy, and handled incorrectly or with poor lifting posture.
should be handled and stored with care. FOLLOW MANUAL HANDLING Good practice for handling and storage should be adopted to prevent physical
REGULATIONS. injuries.
Wire wound on reels or spools, or supplied in bulk packages can be coiled
under tension. Take care to avoid the wire uncoiling rapidly when released.
WEAR GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION. 8. EXPOSURE PREVENTION/CONTROLS/PERSONAL
Some low levels of dust may be produced during handling. DO NOT PROTECTION
BREATHE THE DUST. Exposure Prevention
When using these wires and rods as part of the welding process additional Welders should not touch live electrical parts, and should insulate themselves
potential hazards are likely: from the work and the ground. Manufacturer’s guidelines for the use of
These are: electrical welding machines should be observed at all times.
• Electric shock from the welding equipment or electrode. This can be fatal. Welders and co-workers should be educated about the health hazards
• Hot metal spatter and heat, which can cause burns to the hand and body, associated with welding fume, and trained to keep their heads out of the fume
and may cause fire if in contact with combustible materials. plume.
• UV, IR and light radiation from the arc, which can produce ‘arc eye’ and
During welding, fumes and gases will be produced and emitted from the
possible eye damage to unprotected eyes. WEAR SUITABLE
welding process. The content of the fume is dependent on the welding
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
consumables, shielding gas and base materials being welded. The amount and
• Fumes produced from the welding consumable, material being welded,
concentration of fume generated is dependent on factors such as current,
and the arc radiation:
voltage welding practices and number of welders in a given area. By following
o Particulate fume such as metallic fume and complex metal oxides
recommended welding practices, fume production can sometimes be
and silicates from the weld materials.
minimised.
o Gaseous fume such as ozone and nitrogen oxides from the action
of arc radiation on the atmosphere, and carbon monoxide and
For the solid copper wires and rods covered by this data sheet, the main
dioxide from oxidation of carbon in the components, and from the
constituents of the fume will be copper, manganese, tin, nickel, iron and
shielding gas.
aluminium oxides and silicates, mainly in the form of complex compounds.
SHORT TERM INHALATION OF THESE FUMES AND GASES MAY
There will also be smaller amounts of other complex metal oxides and silicates.
LEAD TO IRRITATION OF THE NOSE, THROAT AND EYES.
Gaseous ozone and nitrous oxides are also formed by arc radiation, and carbon
LONG TERM OVEREXPOSURE OR INHALATION OF HIGH LEVELS OF
monoxide and carbon dioxide can also be present due to oxidation of carbon in
FUMES MAY RESULT IN HARMFUL EFFECTS TO THE RESPIRATORY
the components, and from the flame combustion products. In some cases ozone
SYSTEM, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND LUNGS.
levels can be high, and additional controls may be needed. The shielding gas
used will also affect the fume formation rate, and higher levels of particulate
LOCAL EXTRACTION AND /OR VENTILATION SHOULD BE USED TO
fume will be generated of carbon dioxide and oxygen is increased in the
ENSURE THAT ALL HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS IN THE FUME ARE
shielding gas.
KEPT BELOW THEIR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
STANDARDS IN THE WELDER’S AND OTHER WORKERS’
Fume Composition data for the main solid copper wires and rods are given
BREATHING ZONES.
below.
NOTE: If welding is performed on plated or coated materials such as
Fume exposure should be controlled to below the recognised exposure limit for
galvanised steel, excessive fume may be produced which contains additional
each of the individual constituents, and to below 5 mgm/m3 for the total
hazardous components, and may result in metal fume fever and other health
particulate fume.
effects.
 Personal Protection
TABLE 2: FUME COMPOSITION DATA (WT%) Welders and co-workers in the vicinity should wear protective clothing and eye
protection appropriate to the welding process being used, as specified by local
Classification Cu Fe Mn Sn Ni Al Si standards.
ERCuAl Bal. 0-8 0-2 <1 <1 3-6 0-2
ERCuSi Bal. 0-8 2-3 <1 <1 <1 2-8 Protection of Body and Skin
Others Bal. 0-10* 0-50* 0-10* 0-40* 0-10* 0-2* Suitable clothes for welding should be worn such as non-light reflective
fireproof overalls, leather apron, welding helmet (for arc welding), and suitable
* Indicates estimate, based on consumable composition head protection and welding goggles (for gas welding), leather boots spats and
gloves.
TABLE 3: HAZARDOUS FUME COMPONENTS Protection of Hands
Welders should wear suitable hand protection such a welding gloves or
Welding fume component CAS No. OEL 1 STEL 1 gauntlets of a suitable standard. Co-workers should also wear suitable hand
8hr 15min protection against hot metal, sparks and spatter.
TWA TWA Eye Protection
Total welding fume (particulate) - 5 Welders should wear a welding helmet fitted with the appropriate optical
welding filter for the operation. Suitable protective welding screens and
Copper 7440-50-8 0.2
goggles should be provided, and used by others working in the same area.
Aluminium Oxides 1344-28-1 Physical and chemical properties
Total inhalable dust 10 Physical state: Solid
Respirable dust 4 Colour: Copper metallic coloured
Form: metal wire or rods
Iron oxide fume (as Fe) 1309-37-1 5 10
Odour: Odourless
Manganese and its inorganic compounds (as Mn) 7439-96-5 0.5 PH: Not available
Silica, amorphous - Vapour pressure: Not relevant
(Total inhalable dust) 6 Vapour Density: Not relevant
(Respirable dust) 2.4
Boiling point / range: Not relevant
Melting Point: ~1100ºC
Tin compounds, inorganic (as Sn) 7440-31-5 2 4 Solubility in water: Insoluble
Nickel and its inorganic compounds Density: Not available
Water soluble 0.1 Explosive / ignition point: non-flammable. No fire or explosion hazard exists
Water insoluble 0.5
Stability and reactivity
There are no stability or reactivity hazards from welding wires or rods as
Zinc oxide, fume 1314-13-2 5 10 supplied.
Carbon Dioxide 124-38-9 5000ppm 15000ppm Hazardous decomposition products such as metal oxide fumes and gases (see
Carbon Monoxide 630-08-0 30ppm 200ppm Section 8) are produced during welding.
Toxicity data
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 10102-44-0 3ppm 5ppm
Welding fumes if inhaled can potentially produce several differing health
Ozone (O3) 10028-15-6 0.2 ppm effects caused by the metal containing particles and the gases produced during
Nitrogen monoxide (NO) 10102-43-9 25ppm 35ppm the welding process, both of which are present in the ‘fumes’. The exact nature
of any likely health effect is dependent on the consumable, material being
Units are in mgm/m3, except when stated otherwise welded, weld process, all of which affect fume quantity and composition, as
well as the use of adequate ventilation, respirators, or breathing equipment as
The fume analyses for the solid copper wires and rods covered by this data circumstances require.
sheet, and used for welding clean, uncoated copper indicate that as long as the
5 mgm/m3 total fume exposure limits are met, fume levels of the other Inhalation of the fumes/gases produced during welding may lead to irritation to
constituents will generally be below their respective exposure limits. the nose throat and eyes. The range of health effects include respiratory effects
with symptoms such as asthma, impaired respiratory and lung function, chronic
The exceptions are manganese, nickel, copper, ozone and nitrogen dioxide bronchitis, metal fume fever, pneumoconiosis, possible emphysema and acute
(when electric arc welding), and carbon monoxide (when gas welding). These pulmonary oedema.
have low exposure limits and additional controls may be required.
Other potential health effects at elevated levels of exposure include central
THE FUME LEVELS GIVEN ABOVE WERE GENERATED UNDER nervous effects possible lung cancer, bone disease, skin and fertility effects.
LABORATORY CONDITIONS WHEN WELDING CLEAN, PLAIN Which of these health effects is potentially likely is related to the fume
UNCOATED COPPER UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS composition, and this needs to be consulted with the specific toxicity data
RECOMMENDED WELDING PARAMETERS, AND ARE INDICATIVE below to assess the health risk when using any particular welding process.
OF REASONABLY EXPECTED FUME LEVELS. ACTUAL FUME
LEVELS WILL VARY IN PRACTICE, DEPENDING ON THE WELDING Unprotected skin exposed to UV and IR radiation from the welding arc may
PARAMETERS AND OTHER CONDITIONS, AND MAY BE HIGHER OR burn or redden, and UV radiation is potentially a carcinogen. UV radiation can
LOWER THAN THOSE LISTED ABOVE. affect the unprotected eye by producing an acute condition known as ‘arc eye’.
Specific effects relevant to major particulate and gaseous fume constituents
ADDITIONAL FUME MAY ARISE WHEN THESE WIRES AND RODS produced when welding with these wires and rods
ARE USED TO WELD CONTAMINATED BASE MATERIALS, COATED Copper and Zinc
OR PLATED STEELS, OTHER METALS AND ALLOYS, OR WHEN Copper and zinc in welding fume is the main cause of any metal fume fever
INCORRECT WELDING CONDITIONS ARE USED. observed during welding. Metal fume fever is a delayed respiratory effect
produced by inhalation of fume. Symptoms include sweating, chills, fever,
THE ONLY ACCURATE WAY TO DETERMINE THE COMPOSITION muscle aches and high temperature. These acute symptoms normally alleviate
AND QUANTITY OF FUMES AND GASES TO WHICH WORKERS ARE within 24-48 hours.
EXPOSED IS TO TAKE AIR SAMPLES FROM INSIDE THE WELDERS Aluminium
HELMET, IF WORN, OR IN THE WORKER’S BREATHING ZONES. Aluminium has been associated with a type of lung pneumoconiosis named
Individual fume measurements should be made in these cases using recognised ‘Shavers disease’ and a possible causative agent of Alzheimer’s disease. In
sampling and analysis standards. Based on the results of these measurements, both cases any association with this and welding fume exposure is unproven.
additional fume controls may be required to ensure that all the fume Iron
constituents are controlled below their exposure limits. Iron oxide is generally considered a nuisance material and unlikely to cause
Controls any significant health effects. The fume particles however accumulate in the
Good general ventilation, and/or local fume extraction at the arc or flame lungs and lead to a benign pneumoconiosis called siderosis.
should be used to control the fumes and gases produced during welding to Manganese
below their individual recognised exposure limits when measured in the Manganese compounds are found in copper alloy welding fumes. Manganese is
welder’s and co-workers’ breathing zone. In addition the ventilation and mainly a systemic chronic toxin, although exposure to high particulate
extraction should also be sufficient to ensure that the total particulate fume concentrations can cause some respiratory irritation.
levels are reduced below 5mgm/m3 when measured in the breathing zone. Overexposure or inhalation of excessive amounts of manganese has been
In confined spaces where ventilation is not adequate, an air fed breathing shown to affect pulmonary function, blood and may cause irreversible central
system should be used. All precautions for working in confined space should nervous system damage (manganese), which resembles Parkinson’s disease.
be observed. Refer to OHS Act No.85 of 1993 General Safety Regulation 9. Symptoms of manganism include tremors, impaired speech, facial expression
For further information see the American National Standard Z49.1 Safety in changes, slow clumsy movements and eventually impaired walking. The
Welding and Cutting and SABS 0238 (SANS 10238) Welding and Thermal symptoms are typically not apparent for several years.
Cutting Processes-Health and Safety. Tin
Where fume levels exceed the recognised exposure limits, respiratory Tin (inorganic) generally exhibits low toxicity to humans, but if inhaled as a
protection may be required in the form of a Class P2 (metal fume) respirator. dust or fume can cause a benign pneumoconiosis – known as stannosis. This
condition shows no massive fibrosis, no evidence of disability or complicating
factors.
Nickel
The main health effects of nickel are skin dermatitis (nickel ‘itch’) and it being
classified as a potential human lung carcinogen. It may also cause nasal cancer.
1
Silica
Silica is found in welding fumes produced by copper alloy wires and rods, and
is produced mainly as amorphous silica. This form of silica has not been
associated to any significant degree with lung pneumoconiosis that is
associated with crystalline forms of silica.
Ozone and Nitrogen oxides.
In electric arc welding, these gases are formed due to interactions of the arc
with the surrounding air. Both gases can produce eye, respiratory and lung
irritation and also can produce longer-term lung effects such as decreased lung
capacity, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Of particular concern with both
gases is that exposure to high levels (eg due to build up in confined spaces) can
result in acute lung effects such as delayed pulmonary oedema.
Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a chemical asphyxiant and its toxicity is due to its
affinity for oxygen carrying blood haemoglobin causing fatigue, weakness,
dizziness and eventual unconsciousness and possible death. Carbon dioxide
(CO2) is mainly an asphyxiant but can exert some toxic properties by
increasing pulse and heart rate. During the normal uses of these wires and rods,
these gases can be produced by oxidation of carbon in the components and
from the flame combustion products.
Ecological data
The welding process produces particulate fumes and gases, which may cause
long-term adverse effects in the environment if released directly into the
atmosphere. Welding fumes from the normal use of the copper wires and rods
covered by this data sheet can produce carbon dioxide gas, which is dangerous
to the ozone layer.
Disposal data
Packaging and wire/rod scrap should be disposed of as general waste or
recycled. No special precautions are required for this product.
Transport information
No special requirements are necessary in transporting these products
Regulations
• OHS Act No 85 of 1993 general Safety Regulation 9.
• SABS 0238 (SANS 10238) Welding and Thermal Cutting
Processes – Health and Safety.
Other information
The customer should provide this Materials Safety Data Sheet to any person
involved in the materials use or further distribution. BOC requests the users (or
distributors) of this product to read this Materials Safety Data Sheet carefully
before usage. Further information can be obtained from the American National
Standard Z49.1 Safety in Welding and Cutting.

The information contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet relates only to the
specific materials designated and may not be valid for such material used in
combination with any other material or in any process.

Information is given in good faith and is based on the latest information

available to Afrox and is, to the best of Afrox‘s knowledge and belief, accurate
and reliable at the time of preparation. However, no representation, warranty or
guarantee is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the
information, and BOC assumes no responsibility and disclaims any liability
incurred in using this information.

The product is supplied on the condition that the user accepts the responsibility
to satisfy himself as to the suitability and completeness of such information for
his own particular use. Freedom from patent rights must not be assumed.