A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. The powder may ignite spontaneously in air. The solid metal ignites above 180°C. It will burn in oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide, and will continue to burn in sand or sodium carbonate. The use of most types of fire extinguishers (e.g., water, foam, carbon dioxide, halocarbons, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, and other dry powders) may cause an explosion. Molten lithium is extremely reactive and attacks such otherwise inert materials as sand, concrete, and ceramics.
Explosive reaction with bromobenzene, carbon + lithium tetrachloroaluminate + sulfinyl chloride, diazomethane. Forms very friction- and impact-sensitive explosive mixtures with halogens (e.g., bromine, iodine (above 200°C)), halocarbons (e.g., bromoform, carbon tetrabromide, carbon tetrachloride, carbon tetraiodide, chloroform, dichloromethane, diiodomethane, fluorotrichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, 1,1,2-trichloro-trifluoroethane).
Violent reaction with acetonitrile, sulfur, mercury (potentially explosive), metal oxides (e.g., chromium(III) oxide (at 185°C), molybdenum trioxide (at 180°C), niobium pentoxide (at 320°C), titanium dioxide (at 200–400°C), tungsten trioxide (at 200°C), vanadium pentoxide (at 394°C)), iron(II) sulfide (at 260°C), manganese telluride (at 230°C), hot water, bromine pentafluoride (may ignite with lithium powder), platinum (at about 540°C), trifluoromethyl hypofluorite (at about 170°C), arsenic, beryllium, maleic anhydride, carbides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide + water, chlorine, chromium, chromium trichloride, cobalt alloys, iron sulfide, diborane, manganese alloys, nickel alloys, nitric acid, nitrogen, organic matter, oxygen, phosphorus, rubber, silicates, NaNO2, Ta2O5, Fe alloys, V, ZrCl4, CHI3, trifluoromethylhypofluorite.
Ignition on contact with carbon + sulfinyl chloride (when ground), nitric acid (becomes violent), viton poly(1,1-difluorethylene-hexafluoropropylene), chlorine tri- and penta-fluorides (hypergolic reaction), diborane (forms a complex that is pyrophoric), hydrogen (above 300°C).
Incandescent reaction with ethylene + heat, nitrogen + metal chlorides (e.g., chromium trichloride, zirconium tetrachloride, nitryl fluoride (at 200°C)). Incompatible with atmospheric gases, bromine pentafluoride, diazomethane, metal chlorides, metal oxides, nonmetal oxides.
When burned it emits toxic fumes of LiO2 and hydroxide. Reacts vigorously with water or steam to produce heat and hydrogen. Can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use special mixtures of dry chemical, soda ash, graphite. NOTE: Water, sand, carbon tetrachloride, and carbon dioxide are ineffective.
Analytical Methods:
For occupational chemical analysis use NIOSH: Elements (ICP), 7300.
liansport Information:UN 1415
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