TIP 1: SAFE STORAGE
Titanium powder must be stored tightly sealed and kept away from sources of heat and ignition. The recommended storage temperature can normally be found in the manufacturer's instructions. The containers and the equipment to be filled must be earthed. The storage location itself should be dry and well ventilated and fulfil the legal requirements of a safety storage facility for flammable hazardous substances.
TIP 2: PRACTISED HANDLING
Some precautionary measures can and must also be taken at the processing site to ensure the safe handling of titanium powder. The room should be well ventilated, lighting and ventilation systems are explosion-proof. Handling under inert inert gas minimises contact with the air.
Anyone working with titanium powder must wear appropriate protective clothing. This includes safety goggles, gloves, flame-retardant protective clothing for the body and respiratory protection. Contaminated clothing is changed before changing workplaces, at the end of the working day or before the break to prevent the aforementioned clothing burn.
TIP 3: PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY
If, despite all precautions, a light metal fire involving titanium powder occurs, it must never be extinguished with water. Light metals react strongly with water. The resulting hydrogen is also highly flammable and, in the worst case, can lead to an explosion. Extinguishing agents containing water, such as foam, are therefore also not suitable for extinguishing a titanium fire. Special extinguishing agents or extinguishing equipment must therefore be available at the processing and storage site. Suitable extinguishing agents include metal fire powder, dry sand or noble gases such as argon.
