Lithium amide

Flammability

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

flammable solids

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with national standard methods with acceptable restrictions

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: VDI 2263-1

Version / remarks:

Determination of the combustibility index (Brennzahl: BZ)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

no

Key result

Test procedure:

other: combustibility index

Remarks on result:

ambiguous

Lithium amide decomposed after external ignition without a flame. The BZ has been determined as 4.

Interpretation of results:

study cannot be used for classification

Conclusions:

A combustibility index of 4 has been determined for the test substance.

Executive summary:

The combustibility index was determined according to the national standard method VDI 2263-1. This test checks whether and to what extent a fire (started by external ignition) can spread in deposited dust of the test substance. An attempt was made to ignite the dust sample heaped to form a strip of product about 2 cm wide and 4 cm long at one end with a glowing platinum wire with a temperature of about 1000 °C. Lithium amide decomposed after external ignition without a flame (equivalent to combustibility index 4).

Reference 2

Endpoint:

flammable solids

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Study period:

2003-10-01

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study without detailed documentation

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria: Test N.1 (Test method for readily combustible solids)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

not specified

Key result

Test procedure:

burning rate test over 100 mm length

Remarks on result:

substance does not ignite and propagate combustion either by burning with flame or smouldering along 200 mm of the powder train within the 2 minutes test period

Lithium amide shows a slow, flameless decomposition when externally ignited. The decomposition stopped before the end of the powder train. Thus, no burning time could be determined.

Interpretation of results:

not classified based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

According to the test criteria the test substance is not regarded as flammable solid.

Executive summary:

The flammability of the test substance has been conducted in accordance with UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, chapter 33.2.1.4, test method N.1. Lithium amide showed a slow, flameless decomposition when externally ignited. The decomposition stopped before the end of the powder train. Thus the test substance is not regarded as flammable.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

substances / mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2016-12-13 to 2016-12-22

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria: Test N.5 (Test method for substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Specific details on test material used for the study:

SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Expiration date of the batch: 2017-03-11

STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: Room temperature (20 ± 5 °C); Keep under inert gas

OTHER SPECIFICS: fine powder, white to grey

Key result

Test procedure:

step 1

Identity of evolved gas:

as specified:

Remarks:

NH3

Remarks on result:

easy reaction with water but no spontaneous ignition of the evolved gas

Key result

Test procedure:

step 2

Identity of evolved gas:

as specified:

Remarks:

NH3

Remarks on result:

easy reaction with water but no spontaneous ignition of the evolved gas

Key result

Test procedure:

step 3

Identity of evolved gas:

as specified:

Remarks:

NH3

Remarks on result:

easy reaction with water but no spontaneous ignition of the evolved gas

Key result

Test procedure:

step 4

Max. rate of gas release:

2 638 L/kg h

Identity of evolved gas:

as specified:

Remarks:

NH3

Remarks on result:

easy reaction with water but no spontaneous ignition of the evolved gas

Interpretation of results:

Category 2 (substances or mixtures which in contact with water releases flammable gases) based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

The test substance evolved gas but no spontaneous ignition was observed upon contact with mineralised water.

Executive summary:

Flammability upon contact with water was assessed in accordance with UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, test method N.5. The test was performed three times in a stepwise manner.

A gas formation was observed in all three tests. In test No. 1 water was sucked into the apparatus and for this reason the test was determined after 5 minutes. This effect was most likely caused by cooling of the test item water mixture. In test No. 2 and test No. 3 the volume of evolved gas decreased during the experiment. This effect was most likely caused by dissolution of the evolved gas in water. After the experiment the pH value of the water was strongly alkaline. Lithium amide releases ammonia upon contact with water. Ammonia is a flammable gas.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

pyrophoric solids

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2016-12-13

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria: Test N.2 (Test method for pyrophoric solids)

Version / remarks:

UN Manual of test and criteria, rev.6

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Specific details on test material used for the study:

SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Expiration date of the lot/batch: March 11, 2017

STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: Ambient temperature (10 °C to 30 °C), under inert gas

Key result

Test procedure:

ignition time on contact with air

Remarks on result:

no ignition within 5 minutes

Interpretation of results:

GHS criteria not met

Conclusions:

The test substance does not show any pyrophoric properties.

Executive summary:

The pyrophoric properties of the test substance were assessed in accordance with UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, test method N.2.

No ignition was observed within 5 min after the powdery test item was poured from approximately 1 m height onto a non-combustible surface. The test was repeated five times. In none of six tests an ignition was observed.

Reference 5

Endpoint:

self-heating substances / mixtures

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2017-05-30 to 2017-06-02

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria: Test N.4 (Test method for self-heating substances)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Specific details on test material used for the study:

SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Expiration date of the batch: 2017-10-29

STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: Room Temperature (20 ± 5 °C); Keep under inert gas

OTHER SPECIFICS: fine powder, white to grey

Key result

Test procedure:

25 mm sample cube at 140°C

Max. temp. reached:

391

Result:

positive outcome (effect observed)

According to preliminary information for the test item the test series was started with the 2.5 cm cube.

For the test in the 2.5 cm cube at an oven temperature of 140 °C ± 2 °C an amount of 9.0 g of the test item was filled in the sample container. During heating up an exothermal effect started. The test item temperature reached the oven temperature after approximately 0.5 hours and continued to rise up to a maximum temperature of 391 °C. Due to an exothermal temperature rise > 60 K the result was evaluated as positive.

After the measurement the mesh wire basket contained approximately 20 wt.% less test item than at the start. The remaining test item was visually unchanged.

Interpretation of results:

Category 1 (self-heating substances and mixtures) based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

The test substance did show self heating properties in the above test.

Executive summary:

Self heating properties of the test substance were assessed in accordance with UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, test method N.4.

According to preliminary information for the test item the test series was started with the 2.5 cm cube. For the test in the 2.5 cm cube at an oven temperature of 140 °C ± 2 °C an amount of 9.0 g of the test item was filled in the sample container. During heating up an exothermal effect started. The test item temperature reached the oven temperature after approximately 0.5 hours and continued to rise up to a maximum temperature of 391 °C. Due to an exothermal temperature rise > 60 K the result was evaluated as positive. After the measurement the mesh wire basket contained approximately 20 wt.% less test item than at the start. The remaining test item was visually unchanged.

Description of key information

Based on the below results the test substance is not regarded as flammable or pyrophoric solid. A positive result was obtained in the test on substances which emit flammable gases upon contact with water and in the test on self heating properties.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Flammability:

substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases

Additional information

Flammability

Two studies were conducted to assess flammability of the test substance in a tiered approach. In the first test the combustibility index was determined according to the national standard method VDI 2263-1. This test checks whether and to what extent a fire (started by external ignition) can spread in deposited dust of the test substance. An attempt is made to ignite the dust sample heaped to form a strip of product about 2 cm wide and 4 cm long at one end with a glowing platinum wire with a temperature of about 1000 °C. Lithium amide decomposed after external ignition without a flame. (equivalent to combustibility index 4).

Further testing was performed according to UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, chapter 33.2.1.4, test method N.1, because the combustibility index was ≥ 4 in the above screening study. The substance was loosely filled into a standardized mould and ignited at one end. When the pile has burned a distance of 80 mm, the rate of burning was measured over the next 100 mm.

Lithium amide showed a slow, flameless decomposition when externally ignited. The decomposition stopped before the end of the powder train. Thus the test substance is not regarded as flammable. A burning time could not be determined. In conclusion, the substance should not be classified as flammable solid and no further testing is required.

Pyrophoric properties

The pyrophoric properties of the test substance were assessed in accordance with UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, test method N.2.

No ignition was observed within 5 min after the powdery test item was poured from approximately 1 m height onto a non-combustible surface. The test was repeated five times. In none of six tests an ignition was observed.

Emission of flammable gases upon contact with water

Flammability upon contact with water was assessed in accordance with UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, test method N.5. The test was performed three times in a stepwise manner.

A gas formation was observed in all three tests. In test No. 1 water was sucked into the apparatus and for this reason the test was determined after 5 minutes. This effect was most likely caused by cooling of the test item water mixture. In test No. 2 and test No. 3 the volume of evolved gas decreased during the experiment. This effect was most likely caused by dissolution of the evolved gas in water. After the experiment the pH value of the water was strongly alkaline. Lithium amide releases ammonia upon contact with water. Ammonia is a flammable gas. Thus, the substance should be classified as substance which in contact with water emits flammable gases.

Self heating properties

Self heating properties of the test substance were assessed in accordance with UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, test method N.4.

According to preliminary information for the test item the test series was started with the 2.5 cm cube. For the test in the 2.5 cm cube at an oven temperature of 140 °C ± 2 °C an amount of 9.0 g of the test item was filled into the sample container. During heating up an exothermal effect started. The test item temperature reached the oven temperature after approximately 0.5 hours and continued to rise up to a maximum temperature of 391 °C. Due to an exothermal temperature rise > 60 K the result was evaluated as positive. After the measurement the mesh wire basket contained approximately 20 wt.% less test item than at the start. The remaining test item was visually unchanged.

Based on the above results the test substance should be classified as self heating substance.

Justification for classification or non-classification

In accordance with Annex I, Section 2.1, Section 2.2, Section 2.3, Section 2.7, Section 2.9, Section 2.10 Section 2.11, Section 2.12 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 and UN GHS Rev 6 (2015) the substance has not to be classified as readily combustible solid in class 4 Division 4.1 or pyrophoric solid in class 4 Division 4.2, flammable gases in class 2 or as aerosol in class 2. The substance is classified as self heating substance (cat. 1) and as substance which in contact with water emit flammable gases (cat. 2) according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.