|
MERCURY
(Hg)
MATERIAL
OVERVIEW
Characteristics:
Silvery, extremely heavy liquid, sometimes found
native. Insoluble in hydrochloric acid; soluble in
sulfuric acid upon boiling; readily soluble in nitric
acid. Insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Soluble
in lipids. Extremely high surface tension (480
dynes/cm) giving it unique rheological behavior. High
electric conductivity. Noncombustible.
Hazards:
(1) Mercury, metallic: Highly toxic by skin absorption
and inhalation of fume or vapor. Tolerance (as Hg) 0.5
mg/m3 of air. Absorbed by respiratory and intestinal tract. FDA permits
zero addition to the 20 ug of mercury contained
in average daily diet. (2) All inorganic compounds of
Hg are highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin
absorption. Tolerance, 0.5 mg/m3 of air. (3) Most organic compounds of Hg are
highly toxic. Inorganic Hg can be converted to
methyl-mercury by bacteria in water. Tolerance (as
Hg), (alky compounds), 0.01 mg/m3
of
air; all others, 0.5 mg/m3.
NOTE: Spillage may be a toxic hazard due to droplet
proliferation. Clean-up requires special care.
GENERAL
PROPERTIES
|
Symbol:
|
Hg
|
|
Atomic
Number:
|
80
|
|
Atomic
Weight:
|
200.59
|
|
Density:
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13.546
gm/cc
|
|
Melting
Point:
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-38.842
oC
|
|
Boiling
Point:
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356.58
oC
|
|
Thermal
Conductivity:
|
0.083
W/cm/oK
@ 298.2 oK
|
|
Electrical
Resistivity:
|
98.4
microhm-cm @ 50 oC
|
|
Electronegativity:
|
1.9
Paulings
|
|
Specific
Heat:
|
0.0331
Cal/g/oK
@ 25 oC
|
|
Heat
of Vaporization:
|
13.9
K-Cal/gm atom at 356.58 oC
|
|
Heat
of Fusion:
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5.572
Cal/gm mole
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TYPICAL
ANALYSES
Impurities
in ppm
|
Material
/ Purity:
|
5N
|
|
Ag
|
<.02
|
|
Mg
|
<.02
|
|
Fe
|
<.05
|
|
Al
|
<.05
|
|
V
|
<.05
|
|
Cr
|
<.05
|
|
As
|
<.1
|
|
In
|
<.05
|
|
Au
|
<.05
|
|
Pb
|
<.05
|
|
Cu
|
<.02
|
|
Ca
|
<.05
|
|
Zn
|
<.1
|
|
Sb
|
<.1
|
|
Mo
|
<.1
|
|
Si
|
<.05
|
MERCURY
POWDER, SHOT, PELLETS, & INGOT
|
Material
|
Purity
|
|
Mercury
|
3N,
6N, 7N
|
Liquid
Mercury is sold by the pound and packaged in
polyethylene bottles.
MERCURY
COMPOUNDS
|
Material
|
Purity
|
|
Mercury
Iodide HgI2
-100 Mesh
|
3N
|
|
Mercury
Oxide HgO -100
Mesh (Red)
|
3N
|
|
Mercury
Oxide HgO -100
Mesh (Yellow)
|
3N
|
|
Mercury
Selenide HgSe
-100 Mesh
|
3N,
5N
|
|
Mercury
Sulfide HgS
-100 Mesh (Red)
|
3N
|
Compounds
are packaged to order and sold by the gram or
kilogram.
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