Calcium dipropionate

Flammability

Description of key information

Testing of flammability does not appear scientifically necessary according to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XI, Section 1.
- A test on the flammability according to EC method A.10. was recently conducted for two solid substances (within the RMC substance portfolio) representing those metal carboxylates with the highest hydro-carbon content: manganese bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (83.9 %) and fatty acids, tall-oil, calcium salts (89 %) in which the (i) Ca cation is present in the highest oxidation state (ii) the Mn is in a +II oxidation state, yielding a result of “not flammable”. Since calcium dipropionate is also an inorganic metal carboxylate containing the metal cation in the highest oxidised status and an anion of an acid which is less susceptible to any form of oxidation than the two tested substances (i.e. a lower hydro-carbon content), calcium dipropionate is thus intrinsically less combustible than the two tested substances. Further testing is no required in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XI, Section 1.1.1. A classification as flammable solid is not warranted.
- Testing for flammability in contact with water (A.12) is not considered to be required, because calcium dipropionate 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.
- Testing of pyrophoric properties of solids and liquids (A.13) is not considered to be required, since calcium dipropionate is stable at ambient temperature. It does not contain any chemical group that might lead to spontaneous ignition a short time after coming in contact with air at room temperature (approx. 20 °C)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Flammability:

non flammable

Additional information

A test on the flammability according to EC method A.10. was recently conducted for two solid substances (within the RMC substance portfolio) representing those metal carboxylates with the highest hydro-carbon content: manganese bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (83.9 %) and fatty acids, tall-oil, calcium salts (89 %) in which the (i) Ca cation is present in the highest oxidation state (ii) the Mn is in a +II oxidation state, yielding a result of “not flammable”. Since calcium dipropionate is also an inorganic metal carboxylate containing the metal cation in the highest oxidised status and an anion of an acid which is less susceptible to any form of oxidation than the two tested substances (i.e. a lower hydro-carbon content), calcium dipropionate is thus intrinsically less combustible than the two tested substances. Further testing is no required in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XI, Section 1.1.1. A classification as flammable solid is not warranted.

 

Testing for flammability in contact with water (A.12) is not considered to be required, because calcium dipropionate 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 (in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XI, Section 1). Furthermore, long-term industrial experience in practical handling of calcium dipropionate shows that it does not react with water, and recent experimental testing for water solubility has also not reported any formation of gases.  

 

This test according to A.13 (pyrophoric properties of solids and liquids) is not considered to be required, since calcium dipropionate is stable at ambient temperature. It does not contain any chemical group that might lead to spontaneous ignition a short time after coming in contact with air at room temperature (approx. 20 °C). Furthermore, experience in handling shows that calcium dipropionate does not ignite in contact with air. For the reason given above, no classification and labelling of calcium dipropionate is necessary (in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XI, Section 1).