ε-Caprolactam
August 18, 2012
Version: 2

Product Safety Summary for ε-Caprolactam
SUBSTANCE NAME
ε-caprolactam
epsilon-Caprolactam
Caprolactam
omega.-Caprolactam
2H-Azepin-2-one, hexahydro- (8CI, 9CI)
Aminocaproic lactam
2-Oxohexamethylenimine
2-Ketohexamethylenimine
2-Perhydroazepinone
6-Hexanelactam
Hexahydro-2H-azepin-2-one
6-Caprolactam
2-Azacycloheptanone
Hexahydro-2-azepinone
Hexanoic acid, 6-amino-, cyclic lactam
1-Aza-2-cycloheptanone
azepan-2-one

GENERAL STATEMENT
ε-Caprolactam is used as an intermediate in the chemical industry to produce polyamides. Currently 73% of thepolyamide is being used for fiber based applications (carpets and clothing), while the remainder 27% is used
for the production of engineering plastics (gear wheels, drive systems, intermediates into Nylon-6).

CHEMICAL IDENTITYEC Name: ε-caprolactam
EC-No. : 203-313-2
CAS-No. : 105-60-2
IUPAC name: azepan-2-one
Molecular formula: C6H11NO
Structural formula:1

ε-Caprolactam
August 18, 2012
Version: 2

USES AND APPLICATIONS
ε-Caprolactam is used in industrial applications as a monomer for the manufacture of polyamide, polymers,
thermoplastics, resins and thermo-hardened resins. ε-Caprolactam is also used in the laboratory as a reagent.
Consumer uses include the use of ready-to-use products, such as coatings, paints and adhesives containing
ε-caprolactam, and for which no dilution and mixing steps are necessary.

PHYSICAL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
ε-Caprolactam is a white organic solid with a characteristic odor.
Melting point/range: 69.3 °C
Boiling point/boiling range: 270.8 °C at 1013.25 hPa
Auto-flammability: non-flammable
Explosive properties: non-explosiveExplosion limits:
Lower: 1.4 vol % (air)Upper: 8.0 vol % (air)Auto-ignition temperature: 395 °C at 1013.25 hPa.
Molecular weight: 113.1576
Water solubility: 866.89 g/l solution at 22°C
log Pow: 0.12 at 25°C
Vapor pressure: 0.0013 hPa at 20°C
Relative density: 1.105 g/cm3 at 20°C

HEALTH EFFECTS
Based on the classification of the substance (REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008) acute exposure toε-Caprolactam may result in irritation and burning of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin in humans. ε-Caprolactam
is considered harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

EFFECT ASSESSMENTRESULT

Acute Toxicity (oral/dermal/inhalation)

ε-Caprolactam is harmful if swallowed and inhaled.

Irritation/Corrosivity

ε-Caprolactam is a skin and eye irritant. Single exposure may(skin/eye/respiratory tract)cause respiratory irritation.

Sensitization

ε-Caprolactam has not been found to be a skin sensitizer.

(skin/respiratory tract)
Carcinogenicity

ε-Caprolactam is not classified as a carcinogen.

Reproductive Toxicity

There is no evidence to indicate adverse reproductive ordevelopmental potential to humans for ε-Caprolactam.

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Repeated Dose Exposure

ε-Caprolactam
August 18, 2012
Version: 2This substance has not been found to be harmful throughprolonged or repeated exposure.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ε-Caprolactam is not classified as toxic to the environment or aquatic life. ε-Caprolactam is not considered tohydrolyze rapidly when released to water and is readily biodegradable.

EFFECT ASSESSMENTRESULT

Aquatic Toxicity

Not harmful to aquatic life.

FATE AND BEHAVIORRESULT

Biodegradation

Readily biodegradable

Bioaccumulation potential

Due to the distribution coefficient n-octanol/water anaccumulation in organisms is not expected.

PBT/vPvB conclusion

Regarding all available data on biotic and abiotic degradation,
bioaccumulation and toxicity it can be stated that thesubstance does not fulfill the PBT criteria (not a PBT) and not
the vPvB criteria (not a vPvB).

EXPOSURE
Human Health
The most relevant route of exposure to ε-Caprolactam is by inhalation of workers involved in the manufacture
and use of this compound, although dermal contact and eye contact routes have to be also taken into account.
In an industrial setting, ingestion is not an anticipated route of exposure. The general population may, in theworst case, be exposed to traces of ε-Caprolactam found in some consumer products like coatings, paints,adhesives and other ready-to-use products for which no dilution and mixing steps are necessary, such as
printing inks and toners.
Environment
ε-Caprolactam may be released to the environment in air and water from manufacturing and industrial use
facilities. Identified uses of the substance have been assessed as safe for the environment. The substance is
not known to be directly applied to sediment and an indirect release to sediment is unlikely since the substanceis readily biodegradable.

RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Only properly trained and authorized, personnel should be allowed to handle the substance. ε-Caprolactam
should be used in a closed system. ε-Caprolactam is a skin irritant and therefore personal protection is required
when there is the likelihood of exposure. Therefore, the use of chemical resistant protective gloves should be3

ε-Caprolactam
August 18, 2012
Version: 2considered. ε-Caprolactam is an eye irritant; therefore personal protection is required when there is thelikelihood of exposure. Exposure to the eyes can occur in two ways: direct from the air (splashes, aerosols,dust) or indirect via hand-eye contact. The likelihood of hand-eye contact is considered to be very low for all
contributing scenarios due to the fact that only properly trained or authorized personnel should be allowed tohandle the substance. Combined with stringent use of safety glasses with side-shields for all exposure sources
at which a likelihood of exposure exists, an effective prevention of potential eye irritation can be achieved.
ε-Caprolactam is harmful by inhalation and causes respiratory irritation; therefore suitable respiratory
protective device shall be used when aerosol or mist is formed; respiratory filter device shall be used in case ofbrief exposure or low pollution; and self-contained respiratory protective device shall be used in case of
intensive or longer exposure. For personal precautions in case of accidental release: Ensure adequate
ventilation. Use breathing apparatus if exposed to vapors/dust/aerosol. For environmental precautions in caseof accidental release: Do not empty into drains. Retain and dispose of contaminated wash water.

STATE AGENCY REVIEWThis substance has been registered under REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006.
ε-Caprolactam is included in EU HPV list (High Production Volume Chemicals) and in US HPV list.
ε-Caprolactam is listed in the following Chemical Inventories: TSCA, ENCS, EINECS, ISHL, AICS, DSL, KECI,PICCS, IESCS, and NZIoC.

REGULATORY INFORMATION/CLASSIFICATION AND LABELINGClassification of the substance according to REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008:
Acute toxicity:

Category 4; Oral; H302 Harmful if swallowed.

Acute toxicity:

Category 4; Inhalation; H332 Harmful if inhaled.

Skin/Eye (Corrosion/irritation):

Category 2; H315 Causes skin irritation.
Category 2; H319 Causes serious eye irritation.

Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure:
Category 3; H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Labeling according to REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008:
Pictogram:

Signal word: Warning
Hazard statements:

H302: Harmful if swallowed.
H332: Harmful if inhaled.
H315: Causes skin irritation.

4ε-Caprolactam
August 18, 2012
Version: 2
H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
H335: May cause respiratory irritation.

CONTACT INFORMATION WITHIN COMPANY
For further information on this substance or product safety summaries in general, please contact:
Company: UBE Industries, Ltd.
Department: Caprolactam Business Unit
Address: Seavans North Bldg., 1-2-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Town/Country: Japan
Postal code: 105-8449
E-mail: ube-cpl@ube-ind.co.jp
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.ube.co.jp

GLOSSARY
Acute toxicity

Harmful effect resulting from a single or short term exposure to asubstance.

AICS

Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances.

Biodegradation

Decomposition or breakdown of a substance under natural
conditions (actions of micro-organisms etc).

Bioaccumulation

Progressive accumulation in living organisms of a chemical
substance present in the environment.

Canadian DSL

Domestic Substances List of Canada.

Carcinogenicity

Substance effects causing cancer.

CAS

Chemical Abstracts Service (division of the American ChemicalSociety).

Chronic toxicity

Harmful effect after repeated exposures or long term exposure to asubstance.

EINECS

European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances

ENCS

Existing Notified Chemical Substances (Japan).

Flash pointThe lowest temperature at which vapor of the substance may form
an ignitable mixture with air.

Genotoxicity

Substance effect that causes damage to genes, including
mutagenicity and clastogenicity.

GHS

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling ofChemicals

5ε-Caprolactam
August 18, 2012
Version: 2HPVHigh Production Volume Chemicals.

Hydrolyze

Undergo hydrolysis; decompose by reacting with water.

IECSC

Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances Produced or Importedin China.

Intermediate

Substance that is manufactured for and consumed in or used forchemical processing in order to be transformed into anothersubstance.

KECI

Korean Existing Chemical Inventory.

Monomer

Means a substance which is capable of forming covalent bonds
with a sequence of additional like or unlike molecules under theconditions of the relevant polymer-forming reaction used for theparticular process.

Mutagenicity

Substance effect that cause mutation on genes.

NZIoC

New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals

PBT

Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic chemical.

Persistence

Refers to the length of time a compound stays in the environment,
once introduced.

PICCS

Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances.

Risk Management Measures

Engineering controls, conditions and protective equipment needed
to be implemented to ensure that the risks to human health and theenvironment are adequately controlled.

REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006

European Commission Regulation concerning the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals.

REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008

European Commission Regulation on Classification, Labeling andPackaging of Substances and Mixtures.

Reproductive toxicity

Including teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and harmful effects onfertility.

Sensitizing

Allergenic.

Sediment

Topsoil, sand and minerals washed from land into water forming in
the end a layer at the bottom of rivers and sea.

TSCA

Toxic Substance Control Act (USA).

Vapor pressure

A measure of a substance’s property to evaporate.

vPvB

Very persistent, very bio-accumulative.

DISCLAIMER
This information is furnished without warranty, expressed or implied, except that it is accurate to the best
knowledge of UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD. The data on this sheet related only the specific material designated6ε-Caprolactam
August 18, 2012
Version: 2herein. UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD. assumes no legal responsibility for use or reliance upon these data.

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