Explosivity Testing
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.
