THERMAL STABILITY DETERMINATION AT 75 °C

This test detects self-heating (exothermal decomposition) of an explosive sample when kept at 75 ºC for 48 hours.

The instrument and test method comply with requirements of Test 3(c) of UN Recommendation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria and EN 13631-2:2002.

The instrument consists of an electric oven, main unit, temperature sensors and two closed flat-bottomed glass tubes. The oven is equipped with ventilation and temperature controller that maintains homogeneous temperature field at predefined temperature (75 °C within ±2 °C). The main unit records temperature inside the sample, temperature of the oven and the temperature inside the reference samples. All measured temperatures are displayed and may be transferred to personal computer if required. In case temperature difference in the sample exceeds predefined safety limit (+3 °C) due to sample self-heating, the main unit turns off the oven.

A 100 g sample is placed in one test tube and the same quantity of inert reference sample is placed in the other. Two thermocouples are inserted into the tubes and one in the oven. Thermocouples and the covered tubes are placed in the oven. The temperature difference between test sample and reference is measured for 48 hours after the sample and any reference substance reach 75 °C. Evidence of decomposition of the sample is noted after the test.

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