Vanadium carbide

Flammability

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

flammable solids

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2013-01-21 to 2013-01-23

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method A.10 (Flammability (Solids))

Version / remarks:

, 2008

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: UN-Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manual of Tests and Criteria, 5th revised edition, (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev 5, 2009); New York and Geneva, 2009: Class 4, Division 4.1: Readily Combustible Solids, Test N.1

Version / remarks:

5th revised edition, (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev 5, 2009)

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: VDI 2263, sheet 1

Version / remarks:

1990

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

no

Test procedure:

burning rate test: preliminary screening test

Burning time:

1 779 s

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

Preliminary test

A sample of vanadium carbide could be ignited at room temperature using a flame as ignition source and burned over a distance of 200 mm in 29 minutes and 39 seconds.

Main Test

As the burning time in the preliminary screening test was above the trigger values [4 minutes (EC 440/2008), 2 minutes (UN Transport Guideline, GHS and CLP Regulation], further testing, i.e. the main burning rate test, was not required.

Interpretation of results:

not classified based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

In the preliminary screening test, vanadium carbide could be ignited at room temperature using a flame as ignition source and it burned over a distance of 200 mm in 29 minutes and 39 seconds. As the burning time in the screening test was above relevant trigger values, further testing, i.e. the main burning rate test, was not required. Vanadium carbide does not require classification as:
·        readily combustible solid in in Class 4 Division 4.1 according to the UN Transport Guideline, or
·        flammable solid according to GHS and CLP ((EC) No 1272/2008) Regulation.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

substances / mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the experience in production or handling shows that the substance does not react with water, e.g. the substance is manufactured with water or washed with water

Reference 3

Endpoint:

pyrophoric solids

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance is known to be stable in contact with air at room temperature for prolonged periods of time (days) and hence, the classification procedure does not need to be applied

Description of key information

Vanadium carbide is not highly flammable.

Vanadium carbide is not pyrophoric.

Vanadium carbide does not emit flammable gases in contact with water.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Flammability:

non flammable

Additional information

Flammability of solids

In the preliminary screening test, vanadium carbide could be ignited at room temperature using a flame as ignition source and it burned over a distance of 200 mm in 29 minutes and 39 seconds. As the burning time in the preliminary screening test was above the trigger values according to EC 440/2008, UN Transport Guideline, as well as GHS and CLP Regulation, further testing was not required. Therefore, vanadium carbide does not require classification as:

·        readily combustible solid in Class 4.1 according to the UN Transport Guideline, or

·        flammable solid according to GHS and CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.

Pyrophoricity

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XI, Section 1, testing for pyrophoric properties of solids is not considered to be required since vanadium carbide is stable at ambient temperature. It also does not contain any chemical groups that might lead to spontaneous ignition a short time after coming in contact with air at room temperature (circa 20 °C). Furthermore, long-term industrial experience in handling shows that vanadium carbide does not ignite (spontaneously) (i.e. the auto ignition temperature is not below room temperature) in contact with air.

Flammability in contact with water

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XI, Section 1, testing of flammability in contact with water is not considered to be required since vanadium carbide does not contain groups that might lead to a reaction with water or damp air, leading to the development of dangerous amounts of gas or gases which may be highly flammable. Recent experimental testing for water solubility has also not reported any formation of gases. Furthermore, long-term industrial experience in practical handling of vanadium carbide shows that it does not react with water and will not ignite with water or humid air.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Vanadium carbide does not need to be classified according to CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 since it is not highly flammable, not pyrophoric and does not emit flammable gases in contact with water.