UN/NA Number Reference
DOT Class 4.3 Dangerous When Wet placard

UN 1360: Calcium phosphide

49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table·ERG 2024

DOT Classification and Shipping

UN 1360 is assigned the proper shipping name Calcium phosphide in the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It is classified as a Class 4.3 Dangerous When Wet material, Packing Group I. Required label(s): 4.3, 6.1.

Packing group indicates the degree of danger within a hazard class: PG I is high danger, PG II medium, PG III low. The proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and packing group together form the basic shipping description that must appear on shipping papers and, where required, on the package and placard.

Emergency Response (ERG Guide 139)

Hazards: Produces toxic and flammable gases on water contact. TOXIC. May be fatal.

Fire: DO NOT use water. Dry chemical, dry sand.

Spill: Fully encapsulating suit. Keep material dry. Cover with dry earth.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Calcium phosphide appears as red-brown crystals to gray granular lumps. It reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and phosphine, a flammable poisonous gas. Phosphine will normally ignite spontaneously in contact with air. If there is an excess of water this fire of phosphine will not normally ignite surrounding combustible material.

CAS Number: 1305-99-3
Molecular Formula: Ca3P2
Molecular Weight: 182.18 g/mol
Color / Form: Red-brown crystalline powder or gray lumps
Odor: Musty, like acetylene
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Melting Point: 2910 °F (USCG, 1999)
Specific Gravity: 2.51 (sinks in water)
Water Solubility: Insol in alcohol, ether

Special Provisions

49 CFR 172.102 special provision codes for this entry: A8, A19, N40, W31. These codes modify the general requirements (packaging, quantity limits, exceptions) for this specific material. Look up each code in 49 CFR 172.102 for the full text.

Need the full interactive record? Open UN 1360 in the SpillNerd lookup tool for the live database entry with placard graphics, GHS pictograms, full segregation tables, and synonym search. For another material, use the UN number and chemical lookup.

Reference data compiled from the DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101), the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook, and public chemical databases (PubChem, NIOSH, EPA). Always verify the correct shipping description against the current regulation and the manufacturer's SDS Section 14 before shipping.