PHYSICAL STATE @ 20° C. (68° F.) – Soft, waxy solid
VAPOR DENSITY (AIR = 1.0) – 4.28
FLASH POINT – Ignites spontaneously on exposure to air
FREEZING/MELTING POINT – 44° C. (111° F.)
BOILING POINT – 280° C. (536° F)
DECOMPOSITION TEMPERATURE – 800 °C 1,472° F.) (burning temperature)
SOLID DENSITY – 1.84 g/cc
VAPOR PRESSURE (mm/Hg) – 0.026 mm/Hg @20° C. (68° F.)
ODOR – Garlic-like, similar to matches
APPEARANCE – White to yellow solid
SOLUBILITY – Insoluble in water
INHALATION TOXICITY – Vapors of WP are poisonous and produce bone decay and organ failure
SKIN TOXICITY – Particle burns
EYE TOXICITY – Irritation primarily from smoke
RATE OF ACTION – Immediate
SYMPTOMS (PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION) – Skin burns, may be severe
TREATMENT – Copper sulfate solution for flesh burns when phosphorus in still present
PROTECTION – None against temporary short exposure to smoke, gas mask for longer term exposure
DECONTAMINATION – Flood burning phosphorus with water
USE – Grenades, artillery and mortar shells, aerial bombs and rockets
White Phosphorus (WP) immediately ignites on exposure to air, especially when exposed by a bursting munition. WP burns readily with flames of 800 °C (1,472 °F) producing large clouds of Phosphorus Pentoxide and Phosphorus Trioxide smoke. The smoke is converted by the moisture in the air forming Phosphoric Acid. Though the smoke from burning WP is quickly formed, it is a hot smoke and usually climbs into the air (pillaring) rather than staying low to the ground. The secondary incendiary effect of WP causes it to be both a property destruction agent as well as a casualty-producing one. Phosphorus burns are particularly painful and slow to heal. Burning 1.7 g (0.06 oz) of WP produces 28.3 m3 (1,000 ft3) of smoke.
