LCS Laboratory Inc., offers several tests for the classification of self heating solids. The classification test for Spontaneous Self Heating, allows us to identify solid materials that are able to build up high temperatures inside of a storage container, eventually catching fire without an external source of heat.
Spontaneous Self Heating of bulk materials that are stored in large quantities, is a well known phenomena. Self heating and self-ignition of saw dust, grain, chemical waste, industrial dust, oily rags, and wood charcoal are a constant threat that the industry takes very seriously.
Recycled paper and plastic dust mixture. Carbonized material is seen in the are where self heating occurred.
In many cases, a normally safe material becomes a self heating substance when it dispersed into dust or chemically modified into a porous form with a well developed surface. As an example: machine oil turns into a self heating substance when absorbed by a porous cotton rag. Another example is found in a piece of wood that is fire safe, yet wood dust can exhibit self heating properties. In all cases the cause of self heating lays in a slow chemical reaction, that spontaneously occurs in the volume of stored material. If there is a favorable balance of fuel, oxygen supply and restricted heat loss, the temperature around the material starts to rise and self heating occurs. It may take anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks before self heating turns into a violent fire.
LCS Laboratory uses an accelerated test to deliver fast and reliable results. The test is developed by the UN and adopted as a gold standard for the classification of self heating solid substances. The sample, in it commercial form, is placed into a specially designed 1L cage of and tested for self heating at 140, 120 and 100ºC. Each test lasts 24 hours during which temperature of the oven and the sample are monitored and recorded every minute.
Screenshot of the temperature data-logger. Sample on channel 1 is smoldering and self heated to 221 C. It was classified as “Self Heating” substance.
In a series of experiments, the laboratory measures the intensity of the self-heating that occurs at different temperatures. The material is considered to be self-heating if its temperature rises 60 ºC or more above the furnace temperature.
To schedule a test or discuss your project, please call or email our laboratory
If you need to comply with USA DOT requirements, you are required to test your product by method EPA 1050 C, which is a simplified modification of the UN method.
