Propylene
| Chemical name | Propylene (Propene) |
|---|---|
| Common names / synonyms | R1270, HC-1270, Propene, Methylethylene, 1-Propene |
| CAS number | 115-07-1 |
| UN number | 1077 (Propylene, flammable gas) |
| Dangerous goods code | Class 2.1 Flammable gas |
| Molecular formula | C3H6 (CH2=CHCH3) |
| Molecular weight | 42.08 g/mol |
| Recommended use | Refrigerant (commercial/industrial refrigeration), chemical feedstock (polypropylene, propylene oxide, acrylonitrile production), fuel, welding/cutting gas |
| Supplier name | Anhui Kelvins Refrigeration Technology Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Address | Room 302, Building B, No. 396 Songgu Road, Hefei, China |
| Postal code | 230601 |
| Telephone | +86 551 6558 9290 |
| Fax | +86 551 6558 9290 |
| sales@klven.cn |
National Chemical Emergency Hotline (China): +86-532-83889090 (24 hours)
Supplier Emergency Contact: +86 551 6558 9290
Note: The carcinogenicity classification (H350) is based on animal study evidence of kidney tumors from high-concentration (≥6,000 ppm) lifelong exposure. Propylene is metabolized in vivo to propylene oxide (a Category 2 carcinogen), which is the carcinogenic mechanism. Under normal occupational exposure conditions (below TLV), carcinogenic risk is not significant.
Signal word: Danger
This product is a pure substance.
| Component name | CAS No. | Concentration (by mass) |
|---|---|---|
| Propylene | 115-07-1 | ≥99.5% (refrigerant grade) |
| Impurity | Specification limit |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤10 ppm |
| Acidity (as HCl) | ≤1 ppm |
| Evaporation residue | ≤100 ppm |
| Non-condensable gas (25°C, vol%) | ≤1.5% |
| Sulfides | ≤1 ppm |
| Other hydrocarbons (propane, ethane, etc.) | ≤0.5% |
| Methylacetylene (propyne) | ≤5 ppm (safety limit to prevent polymerization) |
Note: Propylene is an unsaturated alkene and is chemically more reactive than alkanes. Refrigerant-grade propylene must strictly control alkyne impurity content (e.g., methylacetylene) to prevent polymerization under specific conditions.
General advice: Remove victim from contaminated area immediately. Keep warm and at rest. Show this SDS to attending physician. Note: Ensure no explosion hazard before entering the leak area.
Inhalation:
Skin contact (frostbite):
Eye contact:
Ingestion:
This substance is a gas at ambient temperature; ingestion is highly unlikely. If liquid propylene is accidentally swallowed (extremely rare), do NOT induce vomiting; seek medical attention immediately.
Suitable extinguishing media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, water fog (for cooling containers). For large gas fires, the preferred approach is to shut off the gas source and then extinguish.
Unsuitable extinguishing media: Direct water jets (may spread the flame and expand the hazard area; direct spray onto liquid propylene tanks may cause splashing).
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), carbon monoxide (CO, from incomplete combustion), trace aldehydes and organic peroxides
See Section 8 (Exposure controls/personal protection) and Section 13 (Disposal considerations).
When used as a refrigerant, only trained and certified technicians may handle the product. Refrigeration system design, installation, and maintenance must comply with GB 9237. R1270 refrigeration systems should minimize charge quantity, use sealed designs, and be equipped with combustible gas detection. Personnel with long-term propylene exposure should undergo periodic occupational health examinations (including kidney function tests). Do not use for direct food contact, medical inhalation, or other unapproved applications.
| China OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit) | No established legal limit. Maintain oxygen content ≥19.5% in air. |
|---|---|
| ACGIH TLV-TWA (USA) | 500 ppm (approx. 860 mg/m³), 8-hour time-weighted average (ACGIH A3 carcinogen) |
| NIOSH REL-TWA (USA) | No specific limit established |
| OSHA PEL-TWA (USA) | No specific limit established |
| Carcinogenicity classification | IARC Group 2B (Possibly carcinogenic to humans); ACGIH A3 (Confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans) |
| Biological limit value | Not established |
Note: Propylene's carcinogenicity is based on animal study evidence of kidney tumors from very high-concentration (6,000~12,000 ppm) lifelong exposure. Under normal occupational exposure conditions (below TLV), carcinogenic risk is not significant. Minimizing exposure is recommended.
Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) or mass spectrometry (GC-MS); combustible gas detectors (LEL monitoring, catalytic combustion or infrared type); photoionization detector (PID).
Respiratory protection:
Eye/face protection:
Skin protection:
| Appearance and odor | Colorless gas with a slight petroleum odor; gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure; colorless transparent liquid under pressure |
|---|---|
| Odor threshold | ~75 ppm (0.0075%); odor becomes noticeable above this concentration. Refrigerant-grade propylene is not odorized. |
| pH | Not applicable (gas) |
| Melting point / Freezing point | -185.2 °C (-301.4 °F) |
| Boiling point / Boiling range (101.3 kPa) | -47.7 °C (-53.9 °F) |
| Flash point | -108 °C (-162.4 °F) (closed cup) |
| Evaporation rate | Fast (liquid evaporates rapidly) |
| Flammability (gas) | Extremely flammable (Category 1A) |
| Explosive limits (upper/lower) | Upper 11.1% / Lower 2.0% (vol% in air) |
| Vapor pressure (25°C) | 1100 kPa (saturated vapor pressure) |
| Vapor density (air = 1) | 1.45 (heavier than air) |
| Relative density (liquid, 25°C) | 0.520 g/cm³ |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water (~200 mg/L at 25°C); soluble in ethanol, ether, and other organic solvents |
| Octanol/water partition coefficient (log P) | 1.77 |
| Auto-ignition temperature | 455 °C (851 °F) |
| Decomposition temperature | Stable at ambient temperature; may undergo pyrolysis and polymerization at high temperatures |
| Viscosity (gas, 25°C) | ~8.3 μPa·s |
| Surface tension (liquid, 25°C) | ~9.8 mN/m |
| Gas specific heat (25°C, constant pressure) | 1.52 kJ/(kg·°C) |
| Critical temperature | 91.8 °C (197.2 °F) |
|---|---|
| Critical pressure | 4600 kPa (4.60 MPa / 667.2 psia) |
| Critical density | 0.233 g/cm³ |
| Heat of vaporization (at boiling point) | 437 kJ/kg |
| Liquid specific heat (25°C) | 2.58 kJ/(kg·°C) |
| Henry's Law constant (25°C) | 7.4 × 10⁻² mol/(m³·Pa) |
| ASHRAE safety group | A3 (low toxicity, high flammability) |
|---|---|
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | 0 (does not deplete ozone layer; natural refrigerant) |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP, 100-yr) | ~2 (very low greenhouse effect; natural refrigerant) |
| Heat of combustion (lower heating value) | 45.8 MJ/kg |
| Minimum ignition energy | ~0.11 mJ (extremely low; static discharge can easily ignite) |
Chemically stable under normal temperature and pressure conditions, but more reactive than alkanes (e.g., propane, isobutane) due to the C=C double bond. Can undergo addition and polymerization reactions.
Stable under normal conditions of temperature and pressure. Avoid high temperatures, open flames, strong oxidizers, and polymerization catalysts.
High temperature, open flame, sparks, static discharge, direct heat sources, cylinder overpressure. Avoid contact with polymerization catalysts. Avoid forming explosive gas-air mixtures.
Strong oxidizing agents (liquid oxygen, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, nitrogen dioxide, etc.), halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine), strong acids, strong bases, polymerization catalysts (Ziegler-Natta catalysts, triethylaluminum, titanium tetrachloride, etc.)
Carbon monoxide (CO) from incomplete combustion. Low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons and carbon black may form under high-temperature pyrolysis. Does not decompose under normal storage conditions.
Will not polymerize under normal ambient storage conditions. However, polymerization may occur in the presence of catalysts and under high-temperature/high-pressure conditions. Avoid contact with polymerization catalysts during storage; polymerization inhibitors may be added if necessary.
Acute toxicity:
| Rat inhalation LC50 (4 hr) | >100,000 ppm (100,000 ppm, ~4 vol%; practically non-toxic; main hazards are asphyxiation and flammability) |
|---|---|
| Mouse inhalation LC50 (2 hr) | >100,000 ppm |
| Rabbit dermal LD50 | Not available (gaseous substance) |
Note: Propylene has extremely low acute toxicity. The rat 4-hour inhalation LC50 exceeds 100,000 ppm, classifying it as practically non-toxic. The primary health hazards are flammability/explosion, simple asphyxiation, and carcinogenic risk from long-term high-concentration exposure.
Gaseous state: no skin irritation. Liquid contact can cause frostbite (physical cryogenic injury), but is not a chemical corrosive. GHS classification: no skin corrosion/irritation classification (physical frostbite only).
Gaseous state: no eye irritation. Liquid contact can cause severe frostbite and corneal damage. GHS classification: no eye irritation classification (physical frostbite only).
No sensitization reported. Available animal test data and human epidemiology data show no sensitization effect.
Propylene itself is not genotoxic. However, its in vivo metabolite propylene oxide is a direct-acting genotoxic carcinogen that can cause DNA damage and gene mutations. In vitro tests (Ames test, etc.) show that propylene itself has no mutagenic effect.
Animal studies show that rats exposed to high concentrations of propylene (6,000~12,000 ppm, lifelong exposure) develop kidney tumors. The carcinogenic mechanism involves hepatic metabolism of propylene via cytochrome P450 enzymes to propylene oxide (a Category 2B carcinogen), which has direct genotoxicity. Under normal occupational exposure conditions (below TLV 500 ppm), carcinogenic risk is not significant. GHS classification: Carcinogenicity Category 1B (based on high-concentration long-term exposure conditions).
Available animal study data show no reproductive or developmental toxicity. No teratogenic effects observed at high-concentration exposure.
Repeated low-concentration exposure (below TLV) shows no significant target organ toxicity. However, long-term high-concentration exposure (animal studies ≥6,000 ppm) can cause kidney tumors. Periodic kidney function examinations are recommended for occupationally exposed populations.
Not expected to cause aspiration pneumonia in gaseous form. High-concentration inhalation can cause CNS depression and hypoxic asphyxiation.
| Fish acute toxicity (LC50, 96 hr) | Toxic to fish (GHS classification: Aquatic Acute 1) |
|---|---|
| Daphnia acute toxicity (EC50, 48 hr) | Detailed data not available |
| Algae growth inhibition (EC50, 72 hr) | Detailed data not available |
| Bacterial toxicity | Not available |
Note: Propylene has low water solubility, limiting actual aquatic exposure risk. The GHS aquatic toxicity classification is based on analog data.
log P = 1.77. Low bioaccumulation potential (below the bioconcentration threshold of log P = 4.5).
Highly volatile in gaseous form. Low water solubility. Volatilizes readily to atmosphere when released to soil; does not persist in soil.
Does not meet PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic) / vPvB (very persistent and very bioaccumulative) criteria. Propylene's short atmospheric lifetime (~14 hours) means it is not a persistent substance.
Product/residues:
Contaminated packaging:
1077 (Propylene, flammable gas)
PROPYLENE
Class 2.1 Flammable gas
Not applicable (Class 2 gases are not assigned a packing group)
Road transport:
Rail transport:
Marine transport (IMDG Code):
Air transport (ICAO/IATA DGR):
China regulations:
International regulations:
Chemical Safety Assessment has not been carried out for this substance in the context of this SDS. Users should conduct their own assessment based on specific use conditions.
| Abbreviation | Full term |
|---|---|
| SDS / MSDS | Safety Data Sheet / Material Safety Data Sheet |
| GHS | Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals |
| CAS | Chemical Abstracts Service (registry number) |
| UN | United Nations (dangerous goods number) |
| ODP | Ozone Depletion Potential |
| GWP | Global Warming Potential |
| LC50 | Lethal Concentration, 50% |
| LD50 | Lethal Dose, 50% |
| TLV-TWA | Threshold Limit Value - Time-Weighted Average |
| PEL | Permissible Exposure Limit |
| SCBA | Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus |
| PBT | Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic |
| LEL | Lower Explosive Limit |
| UEL | Upper Explosive Limit |
| BLEVE | Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion |
| HC | Hydrocarbon |
| STOT | Specific Target Organ Toxicity |
| IARC | International Agency for Research on Cancer |
| ACGIH | American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists |
| PID | Photoionization Detector |
This Safety Data Sheet (SDS) has been prepared in accordance with the UN GHS standard and applicable regulatory requirements. The information contained herein is based on publicly available chemical databases, technical literature, and national standards, and is believed to be accurate and complete as of the date of issuance. However, no warranty, express or implied, is made as to the absolute accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information. R1270 is an A3 extremely flammable refrigerant. Explosion-proof safety regulations must be strictly followed during use, storage, and transport. Propylene is classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on high-concentration long-term exposure animal study evidence). Personnel with long-term exposure should take appropriate occupational protection measures and undergo periodic medical examinations. Users should verify the applicability of the information for their specific use conditions and refer to the official SDS provided by the manufacturer/supplier for compliance purposes. The information in this document may be updated as new research findings and regulatory changes become available; periodic review of the latest version is recommended.
This Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is compiled by Kelvins for technical reference, prepared in accordance with GB/T 16483 and GB/T 17519. For the official SDS and batch inspection report, please contact us. If any data on this page is inconsistent with the manufacturer’s latest published version, the manufacturer’s official document shall prevail.
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