Handling of Xylar Coatings

All Xylar coatings, including Xylar 1, 2, 101 and 201 contain chromic acid as an
adhesion promoter. These materials are very acidic and corrosive and also react as an
oxidizer. In addition, chromic acid is a carcinogen. Therefore, special precautions must
be observed when using and disposing of these materials in order to protect the
application equipment and the health and safety of workers and to prevent pollution of
the environment.
Application Equipment:
Xylar coatings will rapidly corrode mild steel. Therefore, any application equipment that
comes into contact with these materials must be made of high quality stainless steel or
plastic. Spray gun parts, including fluid tips and needles and air caps, should be
stainless steel. All containers should be plastic. It is recommended that plastic
containers be placed in pressure pots or suction gun cups to hold these coatings. All
fluid tubes and fittings must also be plastic.
Protective Equipment:
Workers who spray Xylar should be equipped as follows:
Air supplied hood with full visor and protection for head and neck.
Elbow length rubber gloves.
Rubber apron
.
For inspection of the operation of automatic lines, less protection is needed, but it is still
recommended that inspectors wear goggles, a respirator, gloves and apron.
In order to treat exposure to Xylar, there must be a water shower and an eye wash
fountain in the immediate vicinity of the coating operation. Flush eyes thoroughly with
water in the event of contact. Flush and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Treatment of Wastes and Spills:
For spills, absorb, the material with an inorganic material such as vermiculite. Do not
use organic materials such as sawdust or wood chips as these may cause a fire.
Collect the absorbed material in a plastic container and treat as described below.
Chromic acid is also known as hexavalent chromium and must be reduced to the
trivalent form before disposal. Chromic acid may be treated with sulfur dioxide gas,
sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, or ferrous sulfate to change it to the trivalent
state. The Whitford Corporation uses sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5) because it is
easy to use. The reaction takes place in an acid environment (pH 2 to 2.5) as follows:
4CrO3 + 3Na2S205 + 6H+

2Cr2(S04) 3 + 3H20 + 6Na+

Use & Treatment of Xylar

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The reaction should be carried out in a covered plastic container with a slow speed
stainless steel mixer. Any absorbent, rags or paper may be treated in the container by
adding water to cover and allow mixing. Rags, paper or absorbent must be collected as
sludge and disposed of as a hazardous material.
Xylar coatings are normally acidic enough for this reaction to occur. However, to ensure
complete conversion of the chromium, a small addition of sulfuric acid is recommended.
During this reaction, sulfur dioxide gas is generated in-situ and may escape to the area.
Therefore, THIS REACTION MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN AN AREA WHERE THERE
IS GOOD VENTUATION AND THE CONTAINER SHOULD BE KEPT COVERED. If
treating concentrated wastes, the reaction will be quite vigorous. Therefore, only a
small amount of sodium metabisulfite should be added at a time in order to control the
reaction.
The completeness of the reaction may be tested by dipping a piece of white
paper towel into the mixture. If it appears yellow when removed, add more sodium
metabisulfite. When the paper towel remains white or slightly green when removed, the
conversion is complete.
Once the chromium is converted to the trivalent form, the pH of the mixture should be
raised to 8.5 to 9.5 with caustic (50% sodium hydroxide) or lime. At this pH, chromium
hydroxide will precipitate from the solution. This material can be allowed to settle and
the liquid poured off for disposal. If the treatment is done correctly, the liquid often may
be disposed to a sewer. (Consult local ordinances for disposal.) The sludge must be
disposed of as a hazardous material. If the amount of waste is small, the liquid can
sometimes be evaporated if conditions are appropriate. The remaining solid material is
usually very small. It can be scrapped together and disposed of as a hazardous
material.
Do not allow waste materials to accumulate. Treat them as quickly as possible. Do not
allow rags or paper which has been contaminated with Xylar coatings to accumulate as
these can became a fire hazard. After cleaning up spills, the area can be
decontaminated by flushing immediately with a 5% solution of sodium metabisulfite in
water. In all cases, check local ordinances regarding the disposal of hazardous wastes.
28 November 1990