Hybrid Atelier - EQUIPMENT

Material • Studio

Safety Training is REQUIRED before using this resource and must be cleared by Hybrid Atelier personnel.

Stations

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Silicone oil (1000 cSt) is a colorless, viscous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fluid used as a laboratory chemical, lubricant, damping and heat-transfer fluid, and Newtonian viscosity reference. It is chemically inert, thermally stable, non-volatile, and essentially odorless, with very low acute toxicity but classified as toxic to aquatic life. In the lab, it serves as a well-characterized model fluid and calibration standard—useful for rheometer/viscometer verification, soft-material sensing tests, and as a stable reference against which non-Newtonian materials (slips, gels, pastes) can be compared.

Specs * Chemical: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), (Si(CH3)2O–)n * CAS-No.: 63148-62-9 * Appearance: Colorless, viscous liquid; odorless * Kinematic viscosity: 1000 cSt (mm²/s) at 25 °C * Relative density: 0.97 g/mL at 25 °C * Flash point: 101.1 °C (214 °F), closed cup — combustible liquid * Auto-ignition: >400 °C; decomposition >200 °C * Freezing point: −55 °C * Vapor pressure: <7 hPa (<5 mmHg) at 25 °C * Water solubility: Slightly soluble * GHS: Aquatic toxicity Cat. 2 (H401/H411) — no health/physical pictogram required * NFPA: Health 0 / Fire 1 / Reactivity 0 * Incompatibilities: Acids, bases, strong oxidizers

Eye Protection

Safety glasses with side-shields (EN166).

Closed-Toe Shoes

Wear closed-toe footwear; spilled oil makes floors slippery.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves for full or splash contact (≥0.11 mm; long breakthrough time).

Wash Hands

Wash hands after handling and before breaks.

Lab Coat

Lab coat or impervious clothing as needed for the task.

Tie Back Hair

Secure long hair when working near open containers or equipment.

Hazards

Combustible Liquid

Burns on strong heating; vapours are heavier than air and can form explosive mixtures under intense heat.

Mild Irritant

Causes mild skin and eye irritation on contact.

Aquatic Toxicity

Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects — keep out of drains and waterways.

Slip Hazard

Spilled oil makes floors and benches extremely slippery.

Fire Decomposition

Under fire, decomposes to release carbon and silicon oxides.

Things to Avoid

Strong heating, open flame, or ignition sources near the fluid
Contact with acids, bases, or strong oxidizing agents
Release to drains, soil, or waterways
Generating mist or aerosols without respiratory protection
Leaving spills unattended (slip hazard)
Mixing waste with other chemical streams

Safety Checks

Adequate ventilation for the work area
No open flames or ignition sources if heating near the flash point
PPE on (glasses, nitrile gloves) before handling
Containers labeled and tightly closed; incompatibles stored separately
Absorbent/spill kit available and drains protected before dispensing

Operational Checks

Work over a tray or containment to catch drips
Avoid skin/eye contact and breathing any mist; don't generate aerosols
Keep away from strong heat, open flame, and incompatible materials (acids, bases, oxidizers)
Dispense only what's needed; reclose the container promptly
Wash hands after handling and before breaks

Cleanup

Contain spills with liquid-absorbent material; cover and protect drains
Collect, bind, and pump off; place in a labeled chemical-waste container
Never pour down the sink or into drains (aquatic toxicity)
Thoroughly degrease slippery residue from surfaces and floors
Dispose per institutional and local regulations; keep in original container, no mixing with other waste

Silicone Oil