Lithium silicon

General Description

A black lustrous powder or cohesive lump with a sharp irritating odor. An alloy of lithium and silicon.

Air & Water Reactions

Reacts with water or moisture in air to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen, a flammable gas. The heat of the reaction may ignite the hydrogen [AAR 1991].

Reactivity Profile

Lithium silicon is a reducing agent. Reacts with oxidizing agents. Reacts, usually vigorously, with any substance having active hydrogen atoms to liberate gaseous hydrogen. This includes alcohols, acids, and water. Reacts with sulfides,aldehydes, and cyanides. Corrodes rapidly on contact with the air. As a practical matter, most organic compounds, including ethers, are wet enough (carry enough water as an impurity) to cause heating and liberation of gases.

Health Hazard

Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.

Safety Profile

A very dangerous fire hazard in the form of dust when exposed to heat or flame or by chemical reaction with moisture or acids. In contact with water, silane and hydrogen are evolved. Slightly explosive in the form of dust when exposed to flame. Will react with water or steam to produce flammable vapors; on contact with oxidizing materials, can react vigorously; on contact with acid or acid fumes, can emit toxic and flammable fumes. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical. See also LITHIUM, SILICON, and POWDERED METALS.