LCS Laboratory Inc., offers a complete line of laboratory tests for the classification of flammable solids for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods. As a part of our services we offer a laboratory test for the identification of water reactive products and the measurement of their gas emission rate. The test is performed in strict compliance with the UN-testing procedure as described in paragraph 33.4 (Division 4.3).
Generally speaking, water-reactive solids can be either inorganic or organic.
Inorganic compounds include, but not limited to: powdered metals, amalgams, metal hydrides, sulfides, anhydrous salts, and oxides.
Organic chemicals may react with water as well: Organometallic compounds and anhydrides react with water, and often violently.
If your product belongs to one of the above classes, please email us in order to discuss a test.
The classification procedure consists of two stages.
- A screening test for spontaneous ignition, when the product come into contact with water. In this test, a small amount of the product in question is brought into contact with DI water at room temperature. The sample is tested by immersing it into water, by applying it onto the water surface and by adding water to a dry specimen. If the sample self ignites at contact with water, the Division 4.3 packing group #1 should be assigned. For this test we need about 10g of the sample
- Rate of evolution of the gas. In this test the rate of gas evolution is measured over a period of 7 hours. Depending on the gas evolution rate, the packing group 1, 2, or 3 should be assigned. Our laboratory requires 50 g of the sample to complete this test.
To schedule a test, or discuss your project, please call or email our laboratory. You can always check our rates and download the request forms from our website
