Explosivity Testing Services
Screening Evaluation
The screening evaluation consists of analysis of the chemical structure of a suspected explosive material using the CHETAH model developed by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The model classifies the risk of the materials based on the enthalpy of decomposition, the heat of combustion, the oxygen balance, and other thermodynamic criteria.
Calorimetry Testing
DEKRA uses Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) or Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC®) to determine the quantity of heat evolved during decomposition. This method classifies materials as self-heating, explosive, or detonable based on decomposition energy.
UN Test Series 3
The following tests are used to assess the ignition sensitivity of suspected explosive materials.
Impact Sensitivity Test - BAM Fall Hammer Test
DEKRA performs impact sensitivity testing using the BAM Fall Hammer Apparatus to determine as the lowest energy at which a flash, flame, or explosion is observed.
Friction Sensitivity Test - BAM Friction Test
DEKRA performs friction sensitivity testing using the BAM Friction Apparatus to determine the lowest frictional force at which a flash, flame, or explosion is observed.
Isothermal Storage Test
DEKRA uses a variety of basket tests to determine safe storage temperature and time ranges.
Small Scale Burning Test
The small-scale burning test is used to determine the response of a substance to fire.
UN Test Series 1 & 2
The following tests are used to assess the explosiveness of suspected explosive materials.
Confined Heating Test - Koenen Tube Apparatus
DEKRA performs Confined Heating Testing using the Koenen Tube Apparatus to assess the sensitivity of the test material to the effect of intense heat under confinement.
Time/Pressure Test
The Time/Pressure Test is used to assess the effects of igniting a substance under confinement in order to determine if ignition leads to a deflagration with explosive violence at pressures that can be attained with substances in normal commercial packages.
UN Gap Test
The UN Gap Test is used to assess the sensitivity of a substance under confinement in a steel tube to detonative shock.
Explosivity testing evaluates whether a material can ignite, burn rapidly, or explode under specified conditions. The resulting data helps organizations understand potential fire and explosion hazards and make informed decisions about safe handling, processing, storage, and transportation.
Without reliable explosion testing data, organizations may not fully understand the hazards associated with their materials or processes. Testing can identify ignition risks, potential explosion severity, and other critical characteristics needed for hazard assessments, risk management, and process safety programs.
Flammability and explosivity testing may be performed on powders, dusts, gases, vapors, liquids, chemicals, intermediates, and finished products. The appropriate test methods depend on the material, process conditions, and potential fire or explosion hazards being evaluated.
Organizations commonly conduct explosion hazard testing during product development, process design, scale up activities, hazard assessments, incident investigations, and regulatory reviews. Testing may also be appropriate when introducing new materials, equipment, operating conditions, or processes.
Depending on the testing scope, explosibility testing can provide data related to ignitability, explosion severity, ignition sensitivity, flammability limits, and combustion behavior. Explosion characteristics testing can also generate parameters used to evaluate hazards and inform prevention or protection measures.
Explosivity testing provides technical data for hazard assessments, process safety management programs, explosion prevention strategies, protection system design, and safe operating procedures. This process safety testing can help organizations make informed decisions based on the characteristics of their materials and operations.
Explosivity testing is widely used in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture, energy, metals, plastics, and specialty chemicals. Other industries that manufacture, process, handle, or store potentially combustible materials may also require explosion testing.
Yes. Explosivity testing data can support OSHA Process Safety Management programs, Dust Hazard Analyses, NFPA requirements, hazardous area classifications, and other safety or compliance initiatives. The required testing depends on the materials, processes, hazards, and applicable requirements.
After testing, organizations receive technical data that can support engineering decisions, hazard analyses, explosion protection design, operating procedures, and risk reduction strategies. Qualified specialists can help interpret the results within the context of the specific process and facility.
An independent explosion testing laboratory provides specialized equipment, recognized test methods, experienced technical personnel, and objective results. These capabilities can help organizations obtain reliable data for hazard assessments, engineering decisions, safety programs, and risk reduction measures.
