Normal workshop practices should be observed. Plastics swarf from our Plastics sheets is inflammable and should not be allowed to accumulate in workshops. It can be recycled if sufficient volume of offcuts and swarf are generated, if not, it can be disposed of with general waste. The material is generally regarded as being non-toxic.
The sheets are naturally slippery, stacks especially so, and as the edges can be sharp, we recommend gloves for handling larger pieces..
Our Plastics boards are made from organic materials, and burn when the temperature is raised sufficiently high. We have conducted fire tests on the HDPE to BS 5852, tested with three ignition sources, Cigarette, No. 1 flame and a No. 5 crib. The pass results were sufficient to gain approval for the manufacture of benches and seating for the public area in the Science Museum in London. This includes seating in the fire exit area.
An equivalent material to the HDPE sheets has been tested to BS 476 Part 7 (1987) (This is the surface spread of flame test), where it achieved class 2. Equivalent material has also been tested as follows:
UL94 tests is HB
ASTM D635 burning rate of b
DIN 4102 B2 It is classified as 'normally inflammable'
We do not recommend the boards for ceilings or, as thin sheets, as wall cladding in high fire risk areas. The local Fire Officer should be advised about the fire performance of the SP sheets, please telephone us to ask for the most appropriate information and samples.
Safety Data Sheet
| 1 : Physical Data and handling |
| Physical form |
Solid in sheet form |
| Odour |
Weak |
| Melting Point |
100-150°C |
| Boiling Point |
not applicable |
| Density |
not applicable |
| Vapour Pressure |
0.92 - 1.20 g/ml |
| Solubility in Water |
Insoluble |
| Thermal Decomposition |
>270°C |
| Hazardous Reaction |
None known |
| Protective Measures |
No special measures |
| Disposal |
Inert, can be recycled or disposed of as normal waste |
| 2 : Fire and Explosion Hazard |
| Flash Point |
not applicable |
| Ignition Temperature |
FIT approx. 350°C (ASTM D1929) |
| Extinguishing Media |
Water, Water Mist, CO2, Foam, Dry Powder |
| Special Fire Precautions |
Observance of the general rules for preventative protection against works fires is recommended. Swarf from cutting operations is a fire risk and must not be allowed to accumulate. As cutting blades cause frictional heat it is important to remove any swarf from the cutting area immediately. |
| Explosion Hazard |
None known |
3 : Toxicity
Smile Plastics recycled plastics sheets are made from chemically unreactive material and are regarded as being biologically inert. |
| Inhalation |
When heated the sheets may give off fumes which may be irritant. |
| Skin Contact |
Abrasion risk |
| Ingestion |
Ingestion should be avoided as some of the additives may be harmful. |
4 : Emergency and First-Aid
Skin burns due to hot or fused masses must be treated clinically as thermal burns. |
5 : Ecology
Not harmful to the environment. |
6 : Summary
By analogy with related materials it is unlikely to cause harmful effects under normal conditions of handling and use. It is similar to many plastics materials in that the sheets will burn if ignited by exposure to significant heat sources. This risk increases as the available surface area increases, hence dusts and fine shavings constitute a fire risk. Removal of these products at the site of generation is therefore recommended. Should heating give rise to fumes then local exhaust ventilation should be considered. |
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