Sulfur hexafluoride is a colorless, odorless and non-toxic gas under normal temperature and pressure. Don't burn. It is heat stable and chemically inactive. It does not decompose in the hot state above 500℃, and is very stable below 800℃. Reaction with sodium metal at 250℃. Non-corrosive, common materials can be used, not corroded glass. Electrical insulation performance and arc suppression performance is good, the insulation can be 2~3 times of air, and the greater the gas pressure, the higher the insulation performance. Pharmacologically inactive and not toxic. Slightly soluble in water, more dissolved in alcohol and ether than in water. Insoluble in hydrochloric acid and ammonia. The solubility of water is :(partial pressure 101.325kPa, 25℃). The dielectric constant is: 1002049 (gas, 101.325kPa, 25℃). At 21.1℃, S.P. is 2308kPa.

Saute

It is prepared by the reaction of sulfur and fluorine at high temperatures.

S + 3 f2 - SF6

Useful

Gas insulators for electronic equipment, radar waveguides, particle accelerators, transformers, arrester, etc., refrigerants, tracers, medical treatment, etching in semiconductor manufacturing, chemical vapor deposition, standard gas, leak detection gas, carrier gas for chromatograph.

Particle accelerator

The toxicity of  it

Max. permissible concentration: 10ppm (12mg/m3)

Sulfur hexafluoride is physiologically inert and pharmacologically inert. But it becomes toxic when it contains such impurities. When inhaled high concentration can appear dyspnea, wheezing, skin and mucous membranes turn blue, systemic spasm and other asphyxia symptoms.

Safety protection

Leak detection can be done with soap solution in air installations. Non-corrosive, stainless steel, copper, aluminum and other common materials can be used. Water and sand can be used to extinguish a fire. Leaked gas can be treated in a mixture of caustic soda and slaked lime, or the leaked gas cylinder can be put into the fume hood.