BALLISTOL
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Manufacturer: Washington Trading Company, Inc.
Ballistol USA
One Cypress Knee Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Tel.: 252-261-6181
Product: Ballistol is an alkaline, emulsifying oily cleaner, and lubricant, and corrosion inhibitor.
Hazardous Ingredients Information Ballistol does not contain any components classified "hazardous" by
OSHA. Ballistol contains only one ingredient with TLVs:
Ingredient OSHA PEL ACGHI TLV
Isobutyl Alcohol 100 ppm TWA 50 ppm TWA
Physical Characteristics Reactivity Data
Boiling Point 128 C (262.4 F) Stability Stable.
Evaporation Rate Moderate at 20 C (68 F) Incompatibility None known.
Pour Point -17 C (1.4 F) Hazardous polymerization Not known to occur.
Solubility in Water Not easily. Emulsifies. Hazardous decomposition None known .
Specific Gravity at
20 C (68 F) Oil: 0.865 g/cm³
Spray: 0.775 g/cm³
Appearance Yellowish oil.
Odor licorice
Fire and Explosion Information
Flash point 52 C (126 F)
Flammable limits (LEL/UEL) Not applicable.
Extinguishing media Foam, carbon dioxide, water.
Special fire fighting procedures Do not use dry powder as extinguishing medium. Wear protective gear and selfcontained breathing apparatus as necessary under conditions.
Special fire / explosion hazards Should be treated as flammable aerosol although product has not been tested as
such to ASTM standards. Butane / propane (A-70) used as propellant.
Health Hazard Data
Routes of Entry:
Inhalation Aerosol Spray -Possible / Non-Aerosol Oil-Not Probable
Ingestion Possible.
Absorption through skin Insignificant if any.
Acute and Chronic Health Hazards:
No LD-50 oral could be determined for Ballistol with rats and rabbits. Manufacturer classifies product as non-poisonous.
Ballistol does not contain Benzene or Kerosene.
Carcinogenicity:
No NTP publication. No IARC monograph. Ballistol is based on medicinal grade white mineral oil, (CAS # 8042-47-5)
which has been classified "Class 3" by the IARC. This means that there is insufficient evidence for this substance to cause
cancer in animals or humans. Ballistol does not contain any substance currently known to be a carcinogen.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure None known.
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure None known.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures:
In the event of contact with eyes or skin, flush with large quantities of water. If ingested, DO NOT INDUCE
VOMITING, ASPIRATION COULD OCCUR. Consult with physician immediately.
Control and Protection Information
Respiratory Protection Information Not required. Eye Protection Not normally required.
Ventilation Locally as needed. Protective gloves Not required.
Mechanical As needed. Other Protective Clothing Not normally required.
Work & Hygienic Practices:
Avoid contact with eyes. Use in ventilated area. Do not use around flame or hot surface. Do not spray into open flame.
Do not puncture aerosol container.
Safe Handling and Disposal Information
Steps to Take in Case of Spill:
Wipe up with absorbent rags. Use oil absorbent material. Sweep up and place in container. Wash area with warm water
and detergent to eliminate slipperiness.
Waste Disposal Method:
Follow applicable Federal and local regulations.
Handling and Storage:
Store in cool dry place out of sunlight. Do not store in areas exposed to temperatures above 49 C (120 F). Store and use
in ventilated room. Keep away from hot surfaces. Keep out of reach of children.
Transportation Data
Aerosol Non-Aerosol
Description: Aerosols, flammable Petroleum Distillate n.o.s.
ID Number: UN1950 UN1268
Hazard Class: 2.1 3
Packaging Group: NONE II
Domestic Surface: Consumer Commodity, ORM-D Consumer Commodity,ORM-D, for inner
containers no more than one gallon.
Air: Check with Dangerous Goods desk, or call WTC, Inc.
Disclaimer
The information and statements contained in this document have been obtained from the manufacturer and from
recognized reference sources as provided to or obtained by the Washington Trading Company. Inc. (WTC). WTC
believes the information in this document to be true and reliable but expressly disclaims any liability for providing such
information and toxicological data.
This document was prepared by the Washington Trading Company, Inc. in June of 1994. Last revision: July, 2011
Acronyms:
LEL = Lower Exposure Limit
UEL = Upper Exposure Limit
LD 50 = Median Lethal Dose. It is the dose at which 50% of a given population will experience
fatalities due to a chemical substance.
NTP = National Toxicological Program.
IARC = International Agency for Research on Cancer.
PEL = Permissible Exposure Limit (as set by OSHA).
CAS = Chemical Abstract Service
TLV = Threshold Limit Value
BALLISTOL
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (cont.)
TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS FOR BALLISTOL
Contents
Ballistol contains medicinal grade mineral oil, alkaline salts of oleic acid, several alcohols, Benzyl Acetate and an oil
from vegetal seeds. The mineral oil is unchlorinated and conforms to the specifications of US Pharmacopeia XX.
Volatile Organic Components (VOCs)
As an aerosol Ballistol contains 33.8% VOCs. As a non-aerosol it contains 5.3% VOCs.
Propellants
Ballistol aerosols contain A-70 (a Butane, Propane blend ) as propellants. The pressure inside the full can is 7-7.5 bars.
Ballistol aerosols contain 14% Isohexane as a thinner.
Risk of Explosion
Theoretically a risk of explosion exists with the use of Butane and Propane as propellants for Ballistol
aerosols. However, the actual risk is quite negligible, as the following information illustrates:
Explosion Limit / Propellant Butane Propane
Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) 1.5 vol.% (37 gr. / cm³) 2.1 vol.% (39 gr. / cm³)
Upper Explosion Limit (UEL) 8.5 vol.% (210 gr. / cm³) 9.5 vol.% (180 gr. / cm³)
In order to produce an explosive mix of Propane or Butane with air an entire 11 oz. aerosol can of Ballistol would have to
be emptied into one cubic meter of air and retained in this space. If any leakage occurred, the LEL would not be reached.
It is obvious that for practical purposes the risk of explosion using Ballistol aerosols is fairly insubstantial.
Electrical Properties of Ballistol
Ballistol has a comparatively high dielectric strength. Its electric conductivity is 0.005 Micro-Siemens / cm. This is 1/60
of the electric conductivity of water (0.3 Micro-Siemens / cm). Undiluted and unemulsified Ballistol has an Ohmic
resistance of approx. 800 Kilo-Ohms. For most practical purposes Ballistol can be considered a non-conductor.
However, Ballistol does have the characteristic of a weak electrolyte due to the free ions contained in it. This
characteristic diminishes with age and with extended exposure to an acidic environment. It increases, when Ballistol is
emulsified with water.
Therefore, Ballistol, in its non-emulsified form, will not interfere with the flow of electric current in electrical networks
or devices. It will not normally build electrical bridges or cause creeping currents or short circuits to occur, even if
applied directly on electrical equipment while energized. Ballistol should not be applied to electrical or electronic
equipment while water or a high degree of moisture are present in the equipment.
Ballistol has been tested by GTE Testmark Laboratories (now Inchcape Laboratory) in 1994 for its compatibility with
Alcatel and Siecor telecommunication cable insulation. It was found to slightly decrease the tensile strength and to
significantly increase the elongation of HDPE insulation material. It was also found to improve the DC insulation
capability of the HDPE material by factor 5 at 3,000 and 10,000 Volts DC. (See attached).
Warning: Ballistol should not be applied on electrical installations while they are wet from rain or condensation
water or similar, since this may cause a short circuit. When electrical installations, which have been treated with
Ballistol, are exposed to direct contact with a significant amount of water, a short circuit may result, since
Ballistol is a lubricant, not a water blocker.
Compatibility of Ballistol with Other Materials
Ballistol is fully compatible with all metals including aluminum. However, Ballistol dissolves traces of copper, zinc, lead
and tombac and can, therefore, be used to clean brass, bronze and silver.
BallistoL is compatible with all types of unfinished woods. Ballistol is compatible with paints and varnishes which are
chemically resistant to petroleum. Caution is recommended when using Ballistol on antique furniture or antique musical
instruments. Paints and varnishes from past centuries may not be resistant to Ballistol.
Ballistol can be used on all smooth leathers. Its use on suede is not recommended, since it will spoil its looks. Ballistol
can be emulsified with water and mixed with gasoline, diesel fuel or antifreeze. Ballistol will chemically interact with and
partially or fully neutralize substances of an acidic nature such as, but not limited to, human sweat, battery fluid, residues
from tannic acid in leather.
Ballistol - Alkalinity
Ballistol has a pH of between 8.5 and 9.5. This variance occurs, because the pH of Ballistol can only be measured, when
Ballistol is emulsified with water and because the concentration of Hydronium ions varies with the concentration of
Ballistol in the emulsion. With an emulsion of 50 gr. of Ballistol in 1000 gr. of water a pH of 9 should normally result.
Ballistol as a Corrosion Inhibitor
Most corrosion inhibiting lubricants can only protect against normal oxidation. They do so by covering up the surface,
which they are supposed to protect, and prevent contact with water and air. Due to its alkalinity Ballistol can also protect
against galvanic corrosion, acidic corrosion and salt water corrosion. Ballistol contains oxygen binders. They make the
oxygen, contained in water or air, unavailable for oxidation. Due to its low surface tension, Ballistol is capable of
creeping into the smallest openings even against gravity. Accordingly, Ballistol provides not only passive but also active
protection against corrosion. However, Ballistol is not a permanent coating or paint. Its protective effect will be the
stronger the more often it is re-applied.
Kinematic Viscosity
The following values have been established for the kinematic viscosity of Ballistol Liquid in Centistokes:
Temp. of Ballistol Centistokes
73.2
41.8
30 28.0
19.5
13.9
Due to anti-oxidants contained in it Ballistol will not easily harden or gum up. It retains its lubricity over extended
periods of exposure. Due to its extreme purity the mineral oil contained in Ballistol survives autoclaving and leaves
enough of a mineral oil film behind to provide a reasonable measure of lubrication and corrosion prevention even after
autoclaving. As an emulsifying oil Ballistol does not lose its capability to lubricate in the presence of water.
Physical Indicators
Vapor Pressure: Aerosol: 5 hP
Non-aerosol: 6.5 mbar at 20
Flame Point:
Self Ignition Point:
Disintegration Point: (when no oxygen present)
Evaporation Rate: 14% in 40 hours
28% in 480 hours
15% in 0.5 hours
30% in 12 hours
Non-Toxicity
In experiments with rats and rabbits the animals' entire intestinal tracti and stomachs were filled with Ballistol. The
animals showed signs of uneasiness. After the Ballistol had been evacuated from their bodies as provided for by nature,
the animals without exception appeared to be in excellent condition and showed no adverse prolonged side effects. It was
not possible to establish an LD 50.
Ballistol does not contain ingredients considered hazardous by OSHA. It does not contain any ingredients, which
normally may be considered harmful or fatal if swallowed, BUT DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING, ASPIRATION CAN
OCCUR. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. It does not contain any ingredients which may be toxic for
warm-blooded organisms, reptiles or aquatic organisms, if used as directed. However, Ballistol may kill small insects
such as aphids, mites, chiggers, ants, termites, spiders or wasps etc. by mechanically clogging up their respiratory
systems, as most oils will.
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Ballistol does not contain any ingredients known to cause cancer such as 1,1,1 Trichloroethane, 1.1,2,2 Tetrachloroethylene, tar,
Teflon (Polytetrafluorethylene) or Silicone. Ballistol does not contain chlorine or chlorinated substances. Ballistol aerosols do
not contain CFCs. The Isohexane contained in Ballistol aerosols as a thinner containes less than 3% n-Hexane, which make it
non-toxic. Ballistol meets the criteria of the Federal Trade Commission for the claim of biodegradability. It has been found to
biodegrade and/or photodegrade within a period of approximately 24 months in aerobic decomposition as defined by OECD
approved closed bottle tests.
Further Information
For further technical information about Ballistol contact Washington Trading Company, One Cypress Knee Trail, Kitty Hawk,
NC 27949, phone: 252- 261-6181 fax: 252-261-0408 email doug@ballistol.com .
This document was prepared by the Washington Trading Company, Inc. in June of 1994. Last revision: April, 2013
7
BALLISTOL AND "BIODEGRADABILITY"
The Concept of Biodegradability
The concept of biodegradability must be considered under two entirely different
aspects: the scientific aspect and the legal aspect.
Scientifically 'biodegradable' means that a susbstance disintegrates under the
influence of the elements and/or of microbes (bacteria) or fungi into components,
which are normal constituents of the environment and occur in nature, naturally,
so to speak. One must distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation,
i.e. degradation in the presence of oxygen and in its absence. Since under normal
circumstances all degradation of materials happens, more or less, in the presence
of oxygen, biodegradation is normally aerobic biodegradation.
Biodegradation must be distinguished from photodegradation. Photodegradation is
the decomposition of a substance under the impact of light, mostly ultraviolet
light.
Legislators have come up with a multitude of definitions of biodegradability,
which have often nothing to do with the scientific concept of biodegradability.
Indeed, some legal definitions of biodegradability seem to ignore the most
elementary facts about natural decomposition. Typically, legal concepts of
biodegradability will bring the factor of time into the definition and rule that
something cannot be called or labelled "biodegradable" if it takes it longer to
biodegrade than the period of time allowed for in the law. Or they will define
extremely narrowly, exactly into what substances a product is allowed to
decompose. Some laws combine both criteria. A typical example for this kind of
approach is the definition of biodegradability of the State of California. The
California Statute defines: "'Biodegradable' means that a material has the proven
capability to decompose in the most common environment where the material is
disposed within one year through natural biological processes into non toxic
carbonaceous soil, water or carbon dioxide."
Obviously, some of nature's own products would not be biodegradable under this
definition such as leaves, lawn clippings, feathers, bones, wood or the
exoskeletons of insects.
The California definition of biodegradability is the most restrictive one so far.
However, it applies only to unspecific claims of biodegradability. Most other
State laws concerning biodegradability are either copies of the California
Statute or are less restrictive or they do not apply to products but only to
packaging material. The only federal regulation about biodegradability currently
in effect is that of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC rules that a substance
can be called biodegradable or photodegradable, if it can be "... substantiated
by competent and reliable scientific evidence that the entire product or package
will completely break down and return to nature, i.e. decompose[s] into elements
found in nature within a reasonably short period of time after customary
disposal."
The Components of Ballistol
While the FTC demands that the product must "break down and return to nature" it
does apparently not consider the possibility that a product might consist of
components which are already natural substances or their equivalents. Many of the
substances, which are found in nature, are complex chemicals and they are broken
down into other chemicals, when they decompose. For example: when an apple
decomposes, alcohols form, which decompose into other chemicals or react with
other chemicals to form tertiary compounds. It appears to be within the logic of
the FTC's definition that there would be no need to prove the break down and
8
return to nature for any substance, which is already a natural substance or its
equivalent.
Ballistol contains the following ingredients:
Mineral Oil
Potassium Oleate
Ammonium Oleate
Oleic Acid
Benzyl Alcohol
Amyl Alcohol
Isobutyl Alcohol
Benzyl Acetate
Anethole
Isohexane (aerosol only)
These substances are either natural substances or they are the chemical
equivalents of natural substances. For example: an alcohol is a natural substance
regardless of whether is was produced in a laboratory, in a destillery or in a
rotting apple under an apple tree.
The Decomposition of the Components of Ballistol
While there can hardly be any reasonable doubt that a natural substance can
"return to nature", there is only very scarce literature about the
biodegradation of natural substances. The reason is obvious: why would anybody
bother to prove that natural substances are part of the process of nature? To
write a scientific publication proving that apples can rot, would appear like a
hoax. The components contained in Ballistol decompose in the following fashion:
Mineral Oil (Liquid Paraffin)
Most paraffin-based lubricants contain a dirty or even chlorinated paraffin,
which is toxic and has a tendency to gum up and harden. If it decomposes, it
releases chlorine into nature. By contrast, the paraffin used in Ballistol is
highly purified and not chlorinated. Indeed, it is so clean that it conforms to
the specifications of the United States Pharmacopeia section XX-NP-XV for
medicinal grade paraffin, as is used for the production of medicinal ointments
and creams or cosmetics. Paraffin of this degree of purity is not considered
hazardous for water. It is, in fact, the equivalent of natural vegetal (plant)
wax, as it is produced by many plants and found on the leaves of most leaf
bearing plants. The biodegradability of this type of paraffin is self-evident,
however, it may take up to 24 months for it to completely biodegrade.
Potassium Oleate and Ammonium Oleate
Potassium Oleate is the Potassium salt of Oleic Acid. Ammonium Oleate is its
Ammonium salt. When exposed to water for an extended period of time both
compounds split into Potassium ions, respectively Ammonium ions, and Oleic Acid.
This is what happens, when Ballistol emulsifies with water. Potassium ions are
naturally found in ocean water and clear water, whereas Ammonium ions result from
the natural (bacterial) decomposition of urine and feces in combination with
water. They are naturally transformed into nitrates, which are also known as
fertilizers for plants. The process is the equivalent to what happens, when a
farmer fertilizes a field with cow dung.
Oleic Acid
Oleic Acid is a fatty acid and a natural component of all oils and fats, e.g.
olive oil or butter. In the natural cycle of decomposition these oils and fats
are split into fatty acids and glycerine, which are both either transformed by
baterial action into CO2 and water or absorbed by the bacteria to support their
own growth and reproduction. In fact, this is the basic process of natural
fermentation of all organic tissue. The biodegradability of Oleic Acid is selfevident.
9
Benzyl Alcohol, Amyl Alcohol and Isobutyl Alcohol
Alcohols are products of natural fermentation on the basis of protein, starch or
sugar. Benzyl Alcohol develops, when Benzyl Acetate breaks down into Benzyl
Alcohol and Acetic Acid. Amyl Alcohol and Isobutyl Alcohol are the products of
natural fermentation of fruit. They occur in all distilled alcoholic beverages,
e.g. brandies. Their biodegradability is self-evident.
Benzyl Acetate
Benzyl Acetate occurs in nature in a number of fragrant substances, especially in
Jasmine. It decomposes into Benzyl Alcohol and Acetic Acid, both natural
substances. Its biodegradability is self-evident.
Anethole
Anethole is the essential oil from the seeds of Pimpinella anisum L., a shrub
which grows around the Mediterranean and in South and Central America. Anethole
is a medicinal oil. Its many medicinal uses have been described by the ancient
Persian and Greek physicians. As a plant oil of natural origin its
biodegradability is self-evident.
Isohexane
Isohexane, a pure hydrocarbon, is used in Ballistol-Lube aerosols to improve the
sprayability of the highly viscose Ballistol. Isohexane as used in Ballistol
aerosol cans contains less than 3% n-Hexane. It is, therefore, non-toxic for
warm-blooded organisms. Isohexane photodegrades in the atmosphere within
approximately 20-25 days into water and CO2.
Biodegradability Tests
Some competing products (e.g. CRC 5-56) claim that they are biodegradable as
specified by the "Bartha-Pramer Test of Biodegradability". This test is a
California special. It is not a closed-bottle test and it does not conform with
internationally recognized OECD standards. It is not generally recognized by US
regulating agencies.
Ballistol has been tested in OECD approved closed-bottle tests and was found to
biodegrade resp. photodegrade within approximately 24 months in aerobic
decomposition and at ambient temperatures of 18 C.
Information contained in this document may be subject to change without notice.
For more information call 252-261-6181 or write to Washington Trading Company,One Cypress Knee Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
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