Substance profile
Styrene
Styrene is a colorless to yellowish, oily liquid with a characteristic, sweet, balsamic, almost floral odor that is extremely.
01 · Identification
What Styrene is
Styrene is a colorless to yellowish, oily liquid with a characteristic, sweet, balsamic, almost floral odor that is extremely. Its molecular formula is C8H8 and its molecular weight is 104.15 g/mol. It boils at 145 °C, melts at -30.6 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Styrene
- vinylbenzene
- styrene monomer
- Cinnamene
- Cinnamenol
- Cinnamol
- Diarex Hf 77
- Ethenyl Benzene
- Ethenylbenzene
- Phenethylene
- Phenylethene
- Phenylethylene
- Styrol
- Styrole
- Styrolene
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H361d | Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P270, P271, P280, P302, P304, P305, P312, P313, P314, P332, P337, P338, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Styrene properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 145.3 °C (293.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 145 °C (293 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Melting point | -30.65 °C (-23.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -30.56 °C (-23 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -30.6 °C (-23.1 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 0.91 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.906 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.9016 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in ethanol, ether, and acetone; miscible with benzene; slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | ||
| In water, 300 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 5 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 5.0254 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 6.4 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 32 °C (89.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 31.11 °C (88 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) | Tag closed cup | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 490 °C (914 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 0.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.1 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 6.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 6.1 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 3.6 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | Detection in water: 0.73 ppm; Chemically pure | HSDB | |
| Recognition in air: 0.047 ppm; Chemically pure | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Range: 0.15 to 25 ppm | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 363.7 °C (686.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Styrene will corrode copper and copper alloys | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Styrene
Storage conditions
Fireproof. Separated from incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Cool. Keep in the dark. Store only if stabilized. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Oxidizing agents, copper.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Styrene in the storage compatibility matrix →
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