Lithium fluoride

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Appearance/physical state/colour:

Lithium fluoride is a white, odourless solid in powder form.

Melting point/freezing point:

A literature search was conducted and the available published data reviewed. In a weight of evidence approach the literature values were evaluated. Five independent literature sources report the melting point in the same range. Lithium fluoride has a melting point in the range of 845 - 848 °C.

Boiling point:

A literature search was conducted and the available published data reviewed. In a weight of evidence approach the literature values were evaluated. Five independent literature sources report the boiling point in the same range. Lithium fluoride has a melting point in the range of 1673 -1681 °C.

Density:

A literature search was conducted and the available published data reviewed. In a weight of evidence approach the literature values were evaluated. Five independent literature sources report the density in the same range. Lithium fluoride has a relative density of 2.64 g/cm³ at 20 °C.

Particle size distribution (Granulometry):

The particle size distribution of the test item, lithium fluoride, was measured by laser diffraction according to DIN EN ISO 9001 in two studies.

At one study the values were as follows: D(10): 1.376 µm, D(50): 4.127 µm, D(90): 11.035 µm (FMC 2010), at another study the values were as follows: D(10): 0.8 µm, D(50): 2.69 µm, D(90): 7.25 µm (Rockwood 2014).

Vapour pressure:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Annex VII, the vapour pressure study does not need to be conducted as the melting point is above 300 °C. Lithium fluoride has a melting point of 848 °C, therefore a study is not required. Additionally, the vapour pressure of lithium fluoride was calculated by means of the program MPBPWIN (EPIsuite, v1.43). Vapour pressure of lithium fluoride was estimated to be 1.22E-021 Pa at 25 °C using the modified Grain method.

Partition coefficient:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.8, the test on partition coefficient n-octanol/water does not need to be conducted if the substance is inorganic. Lithium fluoride is an inorganic compound. Furthermore, lithium fluoride completely dissociates in water forming lithium cation and the corresponding fluoride anion. Therefore the log Pow of the anion (hydrofluoric acid) in water was estimated. The theoretical, calculated (EPIWIN) log Pow of hydrofluoric acid is 0.23.

Water solubility:

A literature search was conducted and the available published data reviewed. In a weight of evidence approach the literature values were evaluated. The independent literature sources report the water solubility in the same range. For the test substance a water solubility of 2.7 g/L at 18 °C and 1.3 g/L at 25 °C was reported.

Surface tension:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.6, the determination of surface tension only needs to be conducted if surface activity is expected or can be predicted. Based on the molecular structure, surface activity is not expected for lithium fluoride.

Flash point:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.9, the determination of the flash point does not need to be conducted if the substance is inorganic. Lithium fluoride is an inorganic compound.

Auto flammability:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.12, a self-ignition temperature study does not need to be conducted as the substance is not flammable (see IUCLID section 4.13) and experience in handling gives no indication, that the substance is self-heating up to 400 °C. As both criteria are applicable to lithium fluoride, no test was performed.

Flammability:

The preliminary screening test according to UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, did not indicate flammable properties. Based on the results of the preliminary test, lithium fluoride is not considered highly flammable.
The chemical structure of lithium fluoride does not contain groups, which may lead to the conclusion that the test substance is capable of developing a dangerous amount of (flammable) gas in contact with water. Further, it can be concluded that lithium fluoride is not pyrophoric (Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Endpoint specific guidance, Version 5.0, December 2016 (EU-Document)). The experience in handling and use does not indicate flammability upon contact with water or pyrophoric properties. Further lithium fluoride does not meet the criteria for self-reactive or self-heating substances and organic peroxides. Therefore, no experimental determination of flammability regarding these kinds of flammability testing was carried out.

Explosiveness:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.11, the determination of explosiveness does not need to be conducted as there are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in lithium fluoride (Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Endpoint specific guidance, Version 5.0, December 2016 (EU-Document)).

Oxidising properties:

A test on oxidising properties (required in section 7.13 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII) does not need to be conducted as there are no chemical groups associated with oxidising properties present in lithium fluoride

(Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Endpoint specific guidance, Version 5.0, December 2016 (EU-Document)).

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Storage stability and reactivity towards container material:

In accordance with ECHA guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria section 2.15, the test has obviously been designed for liquids. Thus, as the substance is a solid at room temperature the study was not conducted. Furthermore, experience in handling lithium fluoride in the laboratory and the plant indicate that it is not corrosive to metals. It does not meet the criteria in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, 5th Edition, section 37.4 for materials corrosive to metal.

Additional physico-chemical information

Section 2.4.2 of Guidance on the application on the CLP Criteria states as follows:

“Aerosols, this means aerosol dispensers, are any non-refillable receptacles made of metal, glass or plastics and containing a gas compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, with or without a liquid, paste or powder, and fitted with a release device allowing the contents to be ejected as solid or liquid particles in suspension in a gas, as a foam, paste or powder or in a liquid state or in a gaseous state.” Thus, as the substance does not meet the definition for aerosol, the test for aerosols was waived.

Further, in accordance with section 1.0 Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, the test does not need to be conducted as the boiling point of the substance is above 20 °C. Thus, as the substance is not a gas at room temperature, the test was not conducted.