ASTM E1231-15

Standard Practice for Calculation of Hazard Potential Figures of Merit for Thermally Unstable Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice provides nine figures of merit which may be used to estimate the relative thermal hazard of thermally unstable materials. Since numerous assumptions must be made in order to obtain these figures of merit, care must be exercised to avoid too rigorous interpretation (or even misapplication) of the results.  
5.2 This practice may be used for comparative purposes, specification acceptance, and research. It should not be used to predict actual performance.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the calculation of hazard potential figures of merit for exothermic reactions, including:
(1) Time-to-thermal-runaway,
(2) Time-to-maximum-rate,
(3) Critical half thickness,
(4) Critical temperature,
(5) Adiabatic decomposition temperature rise,
(6) Explosion potential,
(7) Shock sensitivity,
(8) Instantaneous power density, and
(9) NFPA instability rating.  
1.2 The kinetic parameters needed in this calculation may be obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves by methods described in other documents.  
1.3 This technique is the best applicable to simple, single reactions whose behavior can be described by the Arrhenius equation and the general rate law. For reactions which do not meet these conditions, this technique may, with caution, serve as an approximation.  
1.4 The calculations and results of this practice might be used to estimate the relative degree of hazard for experimental and research quantities of thermally unstable materials for which little experience and few data are available. Comparable calculations and results performed with data developed for well characterized materials in identical equipment, environment, and geometry are key to the ability to estimate relative hazard.  
1.5 The figures of merit calculated as described in this practice are intended to be used only as a guide for the estimation of the relative thermal hazard potential of a system (materials, container, and surroundings). They are not intended to predict actual thermokinetic performance. The calculated errors for these parameters are an intimate part of this practice and must be provided to stress this. It is strongly recommended that those using the data provided by this practice seek the consultation of qualified personnel for proper interpretation.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.7 There is no ISO standard equivalent to this practice.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2015
• ICS: 13.230 - Explosion protection
• Technical Committee: E27 - Hazard Potential of Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: E27.02 - Thermal Stability and Condensed Phases

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1231-10 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Hazard Potential Figures-of-Merit for Thermally Unstable Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM E1231-19 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Hazard Potential Figures of Merit for Thermally Unstable Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E1952-23 - Standard Test Method for Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity by Modulated Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2012-06(2020) - Standard Guide for the Preparation of a Binary Chemical Compatibility Chart
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E698-23 - Standard Test Method for Kinetic Parameters for Thermally Unstable Materials Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and the Flynn/Wall/Ozawa Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2890-21 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Kinetic Parameters and Reaction Order for Thermally Unstable Materials by Differential Scanning Calorimetry Using the Kissinger and Farjas Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1445-08(2015) - Standard Terminology Relating to Hazard Potential of Chemicals
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1981-22 - Standard Guide for Assessing Thermal Stability of Materials by Methods of Accelerating Rate Calorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2160-04(2018) - Standard Test Method for Heat of Reaction of Thermally Reactive Materials by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1231 − 15
Standard Practice for
Calculation of Hazard Potential Figures of Merit for
1
Thermally Unstable Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1231; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope that those using the data provided by this practice seek the
consultation of qualified personnel for proper interpretation.
1.1 This practice covers the calculation of hazard potential
figures of merit for exothermic reactions, including: 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
(1)Time-to-thermal-runaway, standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
(2)Time-to-maximum-rate, standard.
(3)Critical half thickness,
1.7 There is no ISO standard equivalent to this practice.
(4)Critical temperature,
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
(5)Adiabatic decomposition temperature rise,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(6)Explosion potential,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(7)Shock sensitivity,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
(8)Instantaneous power density, and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
(9)NFPA instability rating.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 The kinetic parameters needed in this calculation may
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
be obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
curves by methods described in other documents.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.3 This technique is the best applicable to simple, single
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
reactions whose behavior can be described by the Arrhenius
equation and the general rate law. For reactions which do not
2. Referenced Documents
meet these conditions, this technique may, with caution, serve
2
as an approximation.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C177Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
1.4 The calculations and results of this practice might be
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
used to estimate the relative degree of hazard for experimental
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
and research quantities of thermally unstable materials for
C518Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
whichlittleexperienceandfewdataareavailable.Comparable
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
calculationsandresultsperformedwithdatadevelopedforwell
E473Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rhe-
characterized materials in identical equipment, environment,
ology
and geometry are key to the ability to estimate relative hazard.
E537Test Method for The Thermal Stability of Chemicals
1.5 The figures of merit calculated as described in this
by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
practice are intended to be used only as a guide for the
E698Test Method for Kinetic Parameters for Thermally
estimation of the relative thermal hazard potential of a system
Unstable Materials Using Differential Scanning Calorim-
(materials,container,andsurroundings).Theyarenotintended
etry and the Flynn/Wall/Ozawa Method
to predict actual thermokinetic performance. The calculated
E793Test Method for Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystalliza-
errors for these parameters are an intimate part of this practice
tion by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
andmustbeprovidedtostressthis.Itisstronglyrecommended
E1269Test Method for Determining Specific Heat Capacity
by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.02 on
2
Thermal Stability and Condensed Phases. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015. Published January 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E1231–10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1231-15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1231 − 15
E1952Test Method for Thermal Conductivity and Thermal 3.2.5 instantaneous power density, IPD—the amount of
Diffusivity by Modulated Temperature Differential Scan- energy per unit time
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1231 − 10 E1231 − 15
Standard Practice for
Calculation of Hazard Potential Figures-of-Merit Figures of
1
Merit for Thermally Unstable Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1231; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the calculation of hazard potential figures-of-merit figures of merit for exothermic reactions, including:
(1) Time-to-thermal-runaway,
(2) Time-to-maximum-rate,
(3) Critical half thickness,
(4) Critical temperature,
(5) Adiabatic decomposition temperature rise,
(6) Explosion potential,
(7) Shock sensitivity,
(8) Instantaneous power density, and
(9) NFPA instability rating.
1.2 The kinetic parameters needed in this calculation may be obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves by
methods described in other documents.
1.3 This technique is the best applicable to simple, single reactions whose behavior can be described by the Arrhenius equation
and the general rate law. For reactions which do not meet these conditions, this technique may, with caution, serve as an
approximation.
1.4 The calculations and results of this practice might be used to estimate the relative degree of hazard for experimental and
research quantities of thermally unstable materials for which little experience and few data are available. Comparable calculations
and results performed with data developed for well characterized materials in identical equipment, environment, and geometry are
key to the ability to estimate relative hazard.
1.5 The figures-of-merit figures of merit calculated as described in this practice are intended to be used only as a guide for the
estimation of the relative thermal hazard potential of a system (materials, container, and surroundings). They are not intended to
predict actual thermokinetic performance. The calculated errors for these parameters are an intimate part of this practice and must
be provided to stress this. It is strongly recommended that those using the data provided by this practice seek the consultation of
qualified personnel for proper interpretation.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 There is no ISO standard equivalent to this practice.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the
Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.02 on Thermal
Stability and Condensed Phases.
Current edition approved April 15, 2010Nov. 1, 2015. Published May 2010January 2016. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 20062010 as
E1231 – 01E1231 – 10. (2006). DOI: 10.1520/E1231-10.10.1520/E1231-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1231 − 15
C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E537 Test Method for The Thermal Stability of Chemicals by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
E698 Test Method for Arrhenius Kinetic Constants for Thermally Unstable Materials Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry
and the Flynn/Wall/Ozawa Method
E793 Test Method for Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
E1269 Test Method for Determining Specific Heat Capacity by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
E1952 Test Method for Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity by Modulat
...