Fluoroethane

General Description

A colorless, odorless, flammable gas. Can cause asphyxiation by the displacement of air. Exposure of the container to prolonged heat or fire may cause FLUOROETHANE to rupture violently and rocket.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable.

Reactivity Profile

FLUOROETHANE is incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Also, may be incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, with alkali metals, and with epoxides.

Health Hazard

Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning. Some may be irritating if inhaled at high concentrations. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.

Fire Hazard

EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Will form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966) and Methane (UN1971) are lighter than air and will rise. Hydrogen and Deuterium fires are difficult to detect since they burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.) Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket.

Safety Profile

A poison by inhalation. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flames, or oxidizers. To fight fire, stop flow of gas. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of F-.