Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WIA AUSTFLUX UNIVERSAL FLUX

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Brazing or braze welding of copper, brass and steel, braze welding of cast iron and fusion
welding of copper, brass and bronze. Suitable for use with Austrods Mn Bronze, Nickel
Bronze or Tobin Bronze filler rods. Remove flux with grinding wheel/wire brush or
hydrochloric or nitric acid dip followed by water.

SYNONYMS

"Welding Industries", W.I.A., "brazing consumable", "universal brazing flux", "bronzing
flux"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  Sodium borates and boric acid absorbed slowly through intact skin and very  rapidly through broken skin but not to a sufficient extent to cause  poisoning. Chronic absorption may lead to boron deposition in the liver,  brain, bone and adipose tissue. Chronic dust inhalation may lead to  inflammation of the respiratory mucous membranes and conjuctivitis                    (ILO Encyclopeadia).  Inhalation of welding fumes (carbon monoxide, ozone, sodium oxide) can cause  a variety of respiratory symptoms; laboured breathing, fevers, cough,  inflammation and necrosis of mucous membranes and possible lung damage.  (ILO Encyclopaedia, CCINFO). Symptoms of ingestion include rash, vomiting,  diarrhoea, depression of circulation, subnormal temperature, profound shock  and coma. (Borax Consolidated Limited)