Testing strategy for classifying self-heating substances for transport of dangerous goods

A testing strategy for the classification of self-heating substances for transport of dangerous goods is proposed. The strategy was developed based on the tests described and correlations used in the UN Recommendations. It was demonstrated that the value of activation energy of the exothermic reaction has a significant impact on the extrapolation of test results with regard to different container sizes and temperatures. Based on a combination of the Grewer Oven test screening, the 25 mm cube test at 140 degreesC, and the determination of the activation energy of a specific material, a flowchart is presented for classifying chemicals as self-heating. The presented approach allows predicting chemical stability in large containers more accurately and eliminates the need to perform hazardous large-scale tests of energetic chemicals in a laboratory. Published by Elsevier B.V.