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Other Tests

The following are other analytical methods for hazard evaluation.

Mechanical sensitivity
Ignitability and combustibility
Electrostatic characteristics

Mechanical sensitivity

The following sensitivity tests, which are based on JIS, is designed primarily to evaluate the performance of explosives. Because of its qualitative nature, it's more desirable to consider them to be screening tests. If the results indicate "sensitive," therefore, it's recommended that the Modified Mk III ballistic mortar test, which is more accurate and quantitative, be performed.
Note: Japan Explosives Society, ES-44(2) "Modified Mk III ballistic mortar test", 1995

  test method falling height load
Drop hammer sensitivity test JIS K4810 5 to 150 cm -
Friction sensitivity test JIS K4810 - 5 to 36 N

Drop hammer sensitivity test

A 5 kg iron hammer is dropped onto a sample which is put between two iron cylindrical rollers, the impact of which is used to evaluate the decomposition propensity and explosiveness of a sample. The hammer is dropped six times from the same height to determine the height where decomposition or explosion occurs once out of six trials (1/6 explosion probability), which is expressed in JIS grade 1 to 8.

Friction sensitivity test

A sample is put between a fixed porcelain peg and a moving porcelain plate, followed by frictional motion under load, which, along with the occurrence of explosion, is used to evaluate the sensitivity. The porcelain plate is moved, once only, backwards and forwards beneath the porcelain peg, and this trial is conducted six times under the same load to determine the load where decomposition or explosion occurs once out of six trials (1/6 explosion probability), which is expressed in JIS grade 1 to 7.

Ignitability and combustibility

Flash point
Autoignition temperature
BAM ignitability test
Burning rate test

Flash point

The Tag closed cup, Tag open cup, Seta closed cup, Cleveland closed cup and Pensky-Martens closed/open cup test methods are available in accordance with flash point tests for Category II Combustible solids (Japanese Fire Service Act) and Category IV Flammable liquids (Japanese Fire Service Act).

Autoignition temperature

The autoignition temperature refers to the temperature at which the ignition takes place by heating in air atmosphere without exposure to ignition sources such as flame and electric spark. SCAS performs an autoignition temperature test complying with the ASTM standards, which is used for Category IV Flammable liquids (Japanese Fire Service Act).
Test method: ASTM E 659
Temperature and atmosphere: Up to 700 degC under atmospheric pressure

BAM ignitability test

For safety reasons, it's important to examine if solids (explosives, unstable substances, etc.), when exposed to ignition sources (open flame, red-hot substances, friction spark, electric spark, etc.), readily ignite or not and, in the case of ignition, if the combustion continues or not after removing those ignition sources. Specifically, ignition sources with four different energy levels are used, based on the BAM method, to screen the ignitability.

  • 1)Cerium/iron spark test: A substance is brought into contact with cerium/iron spark to see if it ignites.
  • 2)Fuse test: A substance is brought into contact with a burning fuse to see if it ignites.
  • 3)Small gas flame test: A substance is brought into contact with the small flame to see if it ignites.
  • 4)Red-hot iron bar test: A substance is brought into contact with a red-hot iron bar (about 800 degC) to see if it ignites.

*Test 1 and Test 3 are usually performed while Test 2 and Test 4 are also available at request.

Burning rate test

The flammability of combustible solids is tested according to the IMO test procedures.
Note 1: A sample is deposited in a prismatic shape on an insulating panel using a molding apparatus, and ignited with a burner, etc. to measure the time required for burning the 100 mm distance from the intermediate point. The average burning rate (mm/sec) is calculated from 100 mm divided by measured time.
Note 2: This test method was previously revised and is currently not in use because it was adopted to test "Combustible solids" according to the United Nations Recommendations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods. However, SCAS uses this method to evaluate the flammability of solids.

Electrostatic characteristics

Volume resistivity and surface resistivity
Charge quantity

Volume resistivity and surface resistivity

It’s very important to fully understand the electrostatic characteristics of a substance to prevent disasters caused by electrostatic discharge. The volume resistivity strongly influences the charging characteristics of a substance whose charge leakage circuit is primarily in its interior. Likewise, the surface resistivity strongly influences the charging characteristics of a substance whose charge leakage circuits is primarily on its surface. We can measure the resistivity of liquids, solids (sheets) and powder with a moisture of less than 50%.

Charge quantity

An inclined flume (made of SUS, aluminum, PVC, etc.) with an angle of 45° is set to slide a substance down the surface and measure the frictional charge quantity (flume method) or a Faraday cage is used to measure the charge quantity, with powder air-transferred in SUS with a moisture of less than 50%.

Electrostatic charge

An inclined gutter (made of stainless steel, aluminum, PVC, etc.) with an angle of 45°is set to slide a substance down the surface and measure the frictional charge quantity by faraday cage (gutter method) or a special apparatus is used to measure the charge quantity with powder transported in stainless steel pipe with air (air transportation method) under atmosphere with relative humidity less than 50%.

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