Quick Facts
Helpful Links
You can learn more about liquid nitrogen on Wikipedia. (link opens in a new window)
Liquid Nitrogen MSDS
Liquid Nitrogen Material Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
Courtesy of the Linde Group
Liquid nitrogen is -196°C. This is about 200° colder than your refrigerator.
Nitrogen is a major component of the air we breathe (approx. 75%) and is not flammable or toxic. LN2 will expand about 700 times when exposed to the environment. It can generate incredible explosive power as seen in the video below.
Liquid Nitrogen Safety
- Proper PPE should be worn when handling liquid nitrogen, see the MSDS sheet for more information.
- Do not enclose liquid nitrogen in a sealed container.
- Use an appropriate dewar (tank) and an appropriate cork. These keep the liquid nitrogen cold and allow nitrogen gas to vent to atmosphere.
- Handle liquid nitrogen with care. The liquid can splash and boils when warmed so wearing long sleeves, gloves, pants, boots and safety glasses are recommended.
These are suggestions only, follow your business's or employer's safety guidelines for handling chemicals .
Page Last Updated: 2012-06-13 06:29:54