Screening Procedures for Self‐Reactive Substances, Differential Scanning Calorimetry‐Onset and Heat‐Flux Criteria

Abstract We present a new screening procedure for the determination of the thermal stability of potential candidates for the class of self‐reactive substances. For the classification of self‐reactive substances, elaborate testing is necessary to determine the applicable type, according to the regulations. Annex 6 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria permits that the classification procedure for self‐reactive substances may be omitted, if the estimated self accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) is greater than 75 °C for a 50 kg package using an appropriate calorimetric technique, but no technique is described. Based on stationary theories of thermal explosion, we developed a screening approach using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) onset and heat‐flux criteria, respectively, at relevant temperatures. The proposed approach is validated with experimental data.