Ballistol (meaning 'Ballistic Oil') is a mineral oil-based chemical which advertises that it has many uses. It was originally intended for cleaning, lubricating, and protecting firearms. The product originated from Germany before World War II, after the military requested an 'all-around' oil and cleaner for their rifles and equipment.
The chemical is a yellowish clear liquid with a consistency expected of a light oil. However, when it comes in contact with water it emulsifies, becoming a thick creamy white substance. It has a sweet and mildly pungent smell similar to black licorice. It is distributed in liquid and aerosol forms. The aerosol uses butane or propane as a propellant.
One of its selling points is that it is not petro-chemical based, and uses biodegradable ingredients. It also advertises it has no carcinogens. Some other similar chemicals contain petro-chemicals which can pollute the environment if improperly handled, and can damage the 'seasoning' developed on the bore of a black-powder gun.
From the MSDS:
============= Composition/Information on Ingredients =============
Ingred Name:LIQUID PARAFFIN OIL
CAS:8012-95-1
RTECS #
Y8030000
Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
OSHA PEL:5 MG/M3
ACGIH TLV:5 MG/M3 (MIST); 9394
Ingred NameOTASSIUM OLEATE
CAS:143-18-0
RTECS #:RK1150000
Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
Ingred Name:BENZYL ALCOHOL
CAS:100-51-6
RTECS #
N3150000
Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
Ingred Name:VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTENT, NON-AEROSOL
RTECS #:9999999VC
Fraction by Wt: 5.3%
Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
===================== Hazards Identification =====================
Routes of Entry: Inhalation:NO Skin:YES Ingestion:NO
Reports of Carcinogenicity:NTP:NO IARC:NO OSHA:NO
Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:NONE KNOWN. NO LD50 ORAL COULD BE
DETERMINED FOR RATS & RABBITS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE.
MANUFACTURER CLASSIFIES PRODUCT AS NON-TOXIC, WHEN USED AS
DIRECTED.
Explanation of CarcinogenicityER MSDS:NO NTP PUBLICATION. NO IARC
MONOGRAPH.
Effects of Overexposure:NONE KNOWN.
Medical Cond Aggravated by Exposure:NONE KNOWN.
======================= First Aid Measures =======================
First Aid:IN THE EVENT OF CONTACT WITH EYES, FLUSH EYES WITH WATER. IF
INGESTED CONSULT A PHYSICIAN.
===================== Fire Fighting Measures =====================
Flash Point:124F,51C
Lower Limits:1.7
Upper Limits:6.0
Extinguishing Media:FOAM, CARBON DIOXIDE, WATER.
Fire Fighting Procedures:NONE.WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR & SELF-CONTAINED
BREATHING APPARATUS AS NECESSARY, DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS.
Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard:NONE SPECIFIED BY MFG FOR NON-AEROSOL
PRODUCT.
================== Accidental Release Measures ==================
Spill Release Procedures:WIPE UP W/ABSORBENT RAGS OR USE OIL-ABSORBENT
MATERIAL. SWEEP UP AND PLACE IN CONTAINER. WASH AREA WITH WARM
WATER & DETERGENT TO ELIMINATE SLIPPERINESS.
====================== Handling and Storage ======================
Handling and Storage Precautions:STORE IN COOL, DRY PLACE OUT OF
SUNLIGHT. DO NOT STORE IN AREAS EXPO TO TEMP >48.9C. STORE & USE IN
VENTILATED ROOM. KEEP AWAY FROM HOT SURFACES.
Other Precautions:KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
============= Exposure Controls/Personal Protection =============
Respiratory Protection:NOT REQUIRED.
Ventilation:VENTILATION:LOCALLY AS NEEDED. MECHANICAL:AS NEEDED.
Protective Gloves:NOT REQUIRED.
Eye Protection:NOT NORMALLY REQUIRED.
Other Protective Equipment:INDUSTRIAL USERS SHOULD WEAR SAFETY GLASSES
AS NECESSARY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. OTHER PROT EQPT:NOT NORMALLY
REQUIRED.
Work Hygienic Practices:AVOID CONTACT W/EYE & PROL SKIN CONTACT.USE IN
VENTI AREAS.DON'T USE AROUND FLAME/HOT SURFACE.DON'T SPRAY INTO OPN
FLAME
Supplemental Safety and Health
POUR POINT:-17C.
================== Physical/Chemical Properties ==================
HCC:V3
Boiling Pt:B.P. Text:262F,128C
Spec Gravity:0.865G/CM3 @20C
Evaporation Rate & Reference:MODERATE @20C,REF=UNK
Solubility in Water:EMULSIFIES
Appearance and Odor:YELLOWISH OIL, SLIGHTLY SWEWET OR FRAGRANT.
-------------------------------------
What is your opinion on ballistol ?
The chemical is a yellowish clear liquid with a consistency expected of a light oil. However, when it comes in contact with water it emulsifies, becoming a thick creamy white substance. It has a sweet and mildly pungent smell similar to black licorice. It is distributed in liquid and aerosol forms. The aerosol uses butane or propane as a propellant.
One of its selling points is that it is not petro-chemical based, and uses biodegradable ingredients. It also advertises it has no carcinogens. Some other similar chemicals contain petro-chemicals which can pollute the environment if improperly handled, and can damage the 'seasoning' developed on the bore of a black-powder gun.
From the MSDS:
============= Composition/Information on Ingredients =============
Ingred Name:LIQUID PARAFFIN OIL
CAS:8012-95-1
RTECS #
Y8030000Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
OSHA PEL:5 MG/M3
ACGIH TLV:5 MG/M3 (MIST); 9394
Ingred Name
OTASSIUM OLEATECAS:143-18-0
RTECS #:RK1150000
Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
Ingred Name:BENZYL ALCOHOL
CAS:100-51-6
RTECS #
N3150000Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
Ingred Name:VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTENT, NON-AEROSOL
RTECS #:9999999VC
Fraction by Wt: 5.3%
Other REC Limits:NONE RECOMMENDED
===================== Hazards Identification =====================
Routes of Entry: Inhalation:NO Skin:YES Ingestion:NO
Reports of Carcinogenicity:NTP:NO IARC:NO OSHA:NO
Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:NONE KNOWN. NO LD50 ORAL COULD BE
DETERMINED FOR RATS & RABBITS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE.
MANUFACTURER CLASSIFIES PRODUCT AS NON-TOXIC, WHEN USED AS
DIRECTED.
Explanation of Carcinogenicity
ER MSDS:NO NTP PUBLICATION. NO IARCMONOGRAPH.
Effects of Overexposure:NONE KNOWN.
Medical Cond Aggravated by Exposure:NONE KNOWN.
======================= First Aid Measures =======================
First Aid:IN THE EVENT OF CONTACT WITH EYES, FLUSH EYES WITH WATER. IF
INGESTED CONSULT A PHYSICIAN.
===================== Fire Fighting Measures =====================
Flash Point:124F,51C
Lower Limits:1.7
Upper Limits:6.0
Extinguishing Media:FOAM, CARBON DIOXIDE, WATER.
Fire Fighting Procedures:NONE.WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR & SELF-CONTAINED
BREATHING APPARATUS AS NECESSARY, DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS.
Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard:NONE SPECIFIED BY MFG FOR NON-AEROSOL
PRODUCT.
================== Accidental Release Measures ==================
Spill Release Procedures:WIPE UP W/ABSORBENT RAGS OR USE OIL-ABSORBENT
MATERIAL. SWEEP UP AND PLACE IN CONTAINER. WASH AREA WITH WARM
WATER & DETERGENT TO ELIMINATE SLIPPERINESS.
====================== Handling and Storage ======================
Handling and Storage Precautions:STORE IN COOL, DRY PLACE OUT OF
SUNLIGHT. DO NOT STORE IN AREAS EXPO TO TEMP >48.9C. STORE & USE IN
VENTILATED ROOM. KEEP AWAY FROM HOT SURFACES.
Other Precautions:KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
============= Exposure Controls/Personal Protection =============
Respiratory Protection:NOT REQUIRED.
Ventilation:VENTILATION:LOCALLY AS NEEDED. MECHANICAL:AS NEEDED.
Protective Gloves:NOT REQUIRED.
Eye Protection:NOT NORMALLY REQUIRED.
Other Protective Equipment:INDUSTRIAL USERS SHOULD WEAR SAFETY GLASSES
AS NECESSARY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. OTHER PROT EQPT:NOT NORMALLY
REQUIRED.
Work Hygienic Practices:AVOID CONTACT W/EYE & PROL SKIN CONTACT.USE IN
VENTI AREAS.DON'T USE AROUND FLAME/HOT SURFACE.DON'T SPRAY INTO OPN
FLAME
Supplemental Safety and Health
POUR POINT:-17C.
================== Physical/Chemical Properties ==================
HCC:V3
Boiling Pt:B.P. Text:262F,128C
Spec Gravity:0.865G/CM3 @20C
Evaporation Rate & Reference:MODERATE @20C,REF=UNK
Solubility in Water:EMULSIFIES
Appearance and Odor:YELLOWISH OIL, SLIGHTLY SWEWET OR FRAGRANT.
-------------------------------------
What is your opinion on ballistol ?
