Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 231-102-5 | CAS number: 7439-93-2
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
Additional information
Appearance/physical state/colour
Lithium is a metallic, odourless solid at room temperature.
Melting point
Considering the published data the melting point of lithium ranges between 180 and 181 °C and was defined as 180.5 °C for chemical risk assessment.
Boiling point
Based on the published data lithium has a boiling point of 1336 - 1347 °C. This was supported by another handbook data publishing a range of 1327 - 1351 °C for lithium. The boiling point for lithium metal was determined as 1342°C for chemical risk assessment.
Density
Based on the published data the density of lithium is 0.5 - 0.534 g/cm3 at 20 °C.
Particle size distribution
In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation Annex VII, section 7.14 the study on granulometry can be waived for lithium metal as it is stored and marketed in heavy oil in order to prevent reaction with air moisture.
Vapour pressure
The performance of a test for vapour pressure is scientifically unjustified and dangerous. The study does need not to be conducted as lithium is known to violently react with water and therefore classified and labelled as water react. 1 (category 1) H260, R14/15. The reaction yields lithium hydroxide and flammable hydrogen gas. The vapour pressure was estimated to be 3.49E-029 Pa at 25 °C using the modified grain method and EPI Suite v4.10.
Partition coefficient
According to column 2 of REACH Regulation 1907/2006/EC Annex VII section 7.8, the test on partition coefficient n-octanol/water does not need to be conducted as lithium is an inorganic alkali metal.
Water solubility
In accordance with REACH Regulation 1907/2006 Annex VII, section 7.7, the study on water solubility does need not to be conducted as lithium is known to violently react with water and is therefore classified and labelled as water react. 1 (category 1) H260, R14/15. The reaction yields lithium hydroxide and flammable hydrogen gas.
Surface tension
In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation 1907/2006/EC 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.
Flash point
In accordance with REACH Regulation 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.9, the flash point does not need to be determined as lithium is an inorganic alkali metal (solid).
Auto flammability
Lithium metal has a melting point of ca. 180 °C and self-ingnites only when it is heated up above the melting point.
Flammability
The study on flammability regarding the solid is technically not feasible for lithium as the EU method A.10 for solids can only be applied to powdery, granular or pastelike substances. Lithium metal is stored in heavy oil in order to prevent it from reacting with air moisture and is also merchandised as such.
Further, lithium is known to violently react with water. The reaction yields lithium hydroxide and flammable hydrogen gas. It is therefore labelled as flammable and classified in accordance with Regulation 1272/2008/EC as water react. 1 (category 1), H260 (GHS), and in accordance with Directive 67/548/EEC as R14/15 (DSD).
The study on flammability regarding the pyrophoric properties is technically not feasible for lithium as the EU method A.13 for solids can only be applied to powdery, granular or pastelike substances. Lithium metal is stored in heavy oil in order to prevent it from reacting with air moisture and is also marketed as such.
Further, lithium does not meet the criteria for self-reactive substances and organic peroxides.
Explosiveness
In accordance with column 2 of Reach Regulation 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.11, the chemical structure of lithium does not contain chemical groups, which may lead to the conclusion that explosive properties might be expected (Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, EU-Document (2012)).
Oxidising properties
In accordance with column 2 of Reach Regulation 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.13, the chemical structure of lithium does not contain chemical groups, which may lead to the conclusion that oxidising properties might be expected (Ref.: R.7a: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, EU-Document (2012)).
Stability in organic solvents
In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation 1907/2006/EC Annex IX section 7.15, determination of the stability in organic solvents was waived because lithium is an inorganic alkali metal.
Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
Corrosion to metals:
In accordance with ECHA guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria section 2.15, the test obviously has been designed for liquids. Thus, as the substance is a solid at room temperature, the study was not conducted.
Dissociation constant
In accordance with column 2 of Reach Regulation 1907/2006, Annex IX, section 7.16, the identification of the dissociation constant can be waived as lithium oxidises heavily in water forming lithium hydroxide and highly flammable hydrogen.
Viscosity
Lithium is a solid and therefore the determination of viscosity has been waived (refer to guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, EU-Document, chapter R. 7a, 2012).
Additional physico-chemical information
flammable aerosols:
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.
Gases under pressure:
Further, in accordance with section 1.0 Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, the test does not 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.
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