A SECOND APPRAISAL OF METHODS FOR ESTIMATING SELF-REACTION HAZARDS

A literature survey was carried out to collect and evaluate test methods and test data on hazardous materials which undergo self-decomposition. Some thermal tests are regarded as valuable because they give quantitative data indicating the limit of thermal stability for specified materials. With the assistance of the CHETAH predictive scheme, a hazard evaluation was conducted on a selected group of compounds normally considered safe. Results showed a tendency to identify these safe materials as hazardous so as not to err in evaluating a truly hazardous compound. In a study of accidental polymerization of bulk chemicals, free radical polymerization involving olefins was considered the polymerization process most likely to occur inadvertently during transport. A calorimetric test procedure appeared to offer the promise of yielding data from which an unambiguous reactivity scale could be developed. The test procedure should have a firm relationship to the theory of thermal explosion.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also report dated June 1974, COM-74-11658.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Bureau of Standards

  Physical Chemistry Division
  Washington, DC  United States  20234

  Department of Transportation

  Office of Hazardous Materials Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Domalski, E S
• Publication Date: 1977-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 160 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calorimeters; Chemical reactions; Chemical reactivity; Chemicals; Combustion; Computer programs; Data collection; Data tables; Decomposition; Enthalpy; Explosions; Hazard analysis; Hazardous materials; Hydrocarbons; Mechanical tests; Olefins; Organic compounds; Oxidation; Performance evaluations; Polymerization; Polymers; Safety; Sensitivity; Surveys; Tests; Thermal analysis; Thermal stability; Thermochemistry
• Old TRIS Terms: Alkene hydrocarbons; Dimerization; Heat of combustion; Inhibition; Power testing; Thermochemical properties
• Subject Areas: Highways; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00155412
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NBSIR-76-1149 Final Rpt., DOT/MTB/OHMO-76/6
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 4 1977 12:00AM