Acetylene pronunciation

Physical dangers The gas mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily formed.  Chemical dangers The substance may polymerize. Decomposes on heating and increasing pressure. This generates fire and explosion hazard. The substance is a strong reducing agent. It reacts violently with oxidants and fluorine or chlorine under influence of light. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Reacts with copper, silver, mercury and their salts. This produces shock-sensitive compounds (acetylides).

Acetylene structure

Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.  Effects of short-term exposure Asphyxiation.

Inhalation risk On loss of containment this substance can cause suffocation by lowering the oxygen content of the air in confined areas.  Effects of long-term or repeated exposure

Acetylene formula

Prepared by an international group of experts on behalf of ILO and WHO, with the financial assistance of the European Commission. © ILO and WHO 2021

Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS GAS DISSOLVED IN ACETONE UNDER PRESSURE.  Physical dangers The gas mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily formed.  Chemical dangers The substance may polymerize. Decomposes on heating and increasing pressure. This generates fire and explosion hazard. The substance is a strong reducing agent. It reacts violently with oxidants and fluorine or chlorine under influence of light. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Reacts with copper, silver, mercury and their salts. This produces shock-sensitive compounds (acetylides).

Acetylene price

Formula: C2H2 Molecular mass: 26.0 Sublimation point: -84°C Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20°C: 0.12 Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 4460 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 0.907 Flash point: Flammable gasAuto-ignition temperature: 305°C Explosive limits, vol% in air: 2.5-100Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: 0.37

Chemical dangers The substance may polymerize. Decomposes on heating and increasing pressure. This generates fire and explosion hazard. The substance is a strong reducing agent. It reacts violently with oxidants and fluorine or chlorine under influence of light. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Reacts with copper, silver, mercury and their salts. This produces shock-sensitive compounds (acetylides).