Substance profile
Sulfur
Sulfur is yellow orthorhombic crystals and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Sulfur is
Sulfur is yellow orthorhombic crystals and is odorless. Its molecular formula is S and its molecular weight is 32.07 g/mol. It boils at 445 °C, melts at 95.3 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
02 · Identifiers
Sulfur identifiers and molecular data
Sulfur CAS number and EC number
Sulfur molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Sulfur
- sulphur
- brimstone
- Sulfur, Dry
- Sulfur, Molten
- Sulphur, Molten
03 · GHS classification
Sulfur hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Sulfur pictograms and signal word
Sulfur hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
Sulfur hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Sulfur. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Sulfur
Our own Sulfur safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Sulfur precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 6 precautionary statements to Sulfur. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Sulfur name in 22 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | сяра |
| Spanish español | Azufre |
| Czech čeština | síra |
| Danish dansk | svovl |
| German Deutsch | Schwefel |
| Estonian eesti | väävel |
| Greek ελληνικά | θείο |
| English English | sulfur |
| French français | soufre |
| Croatian hrvatski | sumpor |
| Italian italiano | zolfo |
| Latvian latviešu | sērs |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | siera |
| Hungarian magyar | kén |
| Maltese Malti | kubrit |
| Dutch Nederlands | zwavel |
| Polish polski | siarka |
| Romanian română | sulf |
| Slovak slovenčina | síra |
| Slovenian slovenščina | žveplo |
| Finnish suomi | rikki |
| Swedish svenska | svavel |
22 of the 23 language editions carry this entry; it is absent from Portuguese. That is a property of the regulation, not a gap in this table — editions do occasionally differ in which entries they print. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Sulfur GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Sulfur, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Sulfur
- Causes skin irritation.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF ON SKIN:
- Get medical advice/attention.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Sulfur in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Sulfur health hazards and exposure limits
Sulfur hazard summary
Burning can release toxic gases; Molten sulfur can cause severe burns; [CAMEO] Dust explosions can result when powder is mixed with air. [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Sulfur properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Sulfur boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 444.61 °C (832.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 445 °C (833 °F) | ICSC |
Sulfur melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 95.3 °C (203.5 °F) | Sulfur rhombic transforms to monoclinic | HSDB |
| 106.8 °C (224.2 °F) | gamma-Sulfur | HSDB | |
| 120 °C (248 °F) | amorphous | ICSC |
Sulfur density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.07 g/cm³ | rhombic | HSDB |
| 2.06 g/cm³ | HSDB | ||
| 1.96 g/cm³ | HSDB |
Sulfur solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; slightly soluble in ethanol, benzene, ethyl ether; soluble in carbon disulfide | HSDB |
Sulfur vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.00000395 mmHg | at 30.4 °C | HSDB |
Sulfur flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 207.22 °C (405 °F) | HSDB | |
| 160 °C (320 °F) | ICSC |
Sulfur autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 232.22 °C (450 °F) | HSDB | |
| 232 °C (449.6 °F) | ICSC |
Sulfur lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 35 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Lower flammable limit for sulfur dust in air is 35 mg/L ... . | HSDB |
Sulfur vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | Density of vapor/density of air, 470 °C: 7.837 | at 470 °C | HSDB |
Sulfur critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 1040 °C (1904 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Sulfur fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Sulfur fire potential
Vapors given off during melting of sulfur may contain sufficient hydrogen sulfide & carbon disulfide to permit ignition of air/vapor mixture on contact with hot surface; such ignition may result in transmission of flames to molten sulfur. ... Sulfur is poor conductor of electricity & tends to develop charges of static electricity during transport or processing; static discharge may lead to ignition of sulfur dust. Fires in heaps of sulfur are frequent & insidious since they may break out again even after original conflagration has ... Been extinguished.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Corrosivity
Sulfur is not considered corrosive to the usual construction materials. However, acid-generating impurities, which may be introduced in handling and storage, create corrosive conditions.
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Sulfur storage and handling
Sulfur reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Sulfur in the reactive group Reducing Agents, Strong. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Sulfur safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Sulfur storage conditions
Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from chlorates, nitrates, other oxidizing materials, and hydrocarbons.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Sulfur incompatible materials
Reacts with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Sulfur in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Sulfur — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Sulfur?
The CAS number of Sulfur is 7704-34-9. Its EC number is 231-722-6.
What is the chemical formula of Sulfur?
The molecular formula of Sulfur is S and its molecular weight is 32.07 g/mol.
What does a Sulfur label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Sulfur carries the pictogram Exclamation mark and the signal word is Warning.
Is Sulfur flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Sulfur no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 207.22 °C (405 °F) (HSDB).
Is Sulfur a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Sulfur. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the boiling point of Sulfur?
The boiling point reported for Sulfur is 444.61 °C (832.3 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Sulfur?
The melting point reported for Sulfur is 95.3 °C (203.5 °F), Sulfur rhombic transforms to monoclinic (HSDB).
How should Sulfur be stored?
Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from chlorates, nitrates, other oxidizing materials, and hydrocarbons. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Sulfur
Keep going: substances starting with S, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.
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