Stability Tests for Powders

The stability of powders can be determined by adiabatic storage tests or Dewar flask tests under an air atmosphere (Section 2.3.2.2). Several other dedicated tests have been developed [10,133-136]. 

In the Bowes and Cameron test [133], the stability of the powder at constant (uniform) ambient temperature is investigated. Cube-shaped baskets, made of wire gauze, are filled with the substance and placed in an oven that is controlled at the desired constant temperature. The temperature in the center of the cube and of the oven are continuously recorded. By testing at different temperatures, and using a number of cube dimensions, the thermal stability of the powder can be established, that is, the determination of the temperature below which the exothermic decomposition of the powder does not result in a runaway. Bowes [133] has given a number of theoretical calculations for scaling up the test results. 

With the United Nations test [134], only two sizes of cubes (one 2.5-cm3 cube and one 10-cm3 cube) are tested at 140°C. A sample is recognized as 

Other cubic tests in which a sample is heated in an oven by a controlled temperature program are described in [137]. 

More rudimentary tests to identify the stability of powders are the so-called hot plate tests. Here, the substance is placed in a well-defined manner (circular, specified thickness of the layer, and so forth) on a hot plate with a controlled temperature. The temperature in the center of the layer is recorded continuously, and the progress of the self-heating is followed. Observations are made if self-heating of the substance occurs, the induction period of such self-heating, and the extent of the effect such as smoldering or spontaneous ignition. 

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