Aluminium sulphate

Flammability

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

flammability, other

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

data from handbook or collection of data

Remarks:

Data from a peer-reviewed handbook, accepted as a reliable data source according to Chapter R.7A of REACH Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, adequate for assessment. Restrictions apply as not an experimental result.

Uses:

Tanning leather, sizing paper, mordant in dyeing; purifying water; manufacture lakes, aluminum resinate; fireproofing and waterproofing cloth; clarifying oils and fats; treating sewage; waterproofing concrete; deodorizing and decolorizing petroleum; antiperspirants; agricultural pesticides; manufacture of aluminum salts.

Conclusions:

No flammability hazard anticipated, as used as fireproofing agent.

Executive summary:

A reference handbook, also cited in a reference database, provides a list of main uses of the substance, including fireproofing of clothes.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

pyrophoric solids

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance is known to be stable in contact with air at room temperature for prolonged periods of time (days) and hence, the classification procedure does not need to be applied

Justification for type of information:

JUSTIFICATION FOR DATA WAIVING
In accordance with section 1 of REACh Annex XI, study for pyrophoric properties is deemed unnecessary, based on the experience in handling, testing and use of the substance.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

substances / mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the experience in production or handling shows that the substance does not react with water, e.g. the substance is manufactured with water or washed with water

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance is known to be soluble in water to form a stable mixture

Justification for type of information:

JUSTIFICATION FOR DATA WAIVING
In accordance with section 1 of REACh Annex XI, study for flammability if contact with water is deemed unnecessary, based on the experience in handling, testing and use of the substance.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

flammable solids

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Justification for type of information:

The test substance is aluminium sulphate basic, of formula Al2 (OH)0.16 (SO4)2.92, and not pure aluminium sulphate Al2 (SO4)3; however, according to the notifier, limited basicity may occur in the technical substance. Therefore, the chemical similarity (only 0.8% OH) is considered sufficient for supporting data on the hydrated form, the reference substance for the REACh registration dossier being the anhydrous form.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Interpretation of results:

not classified based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

The substance is NOT classified as a Flammable Solid, based on CLP criteria.

Executive summary:

From analogue, no propagation of ignition is anticipated.

Reference 5

Endpoint:

flammable solids

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

09 March 2010- 04 June 2010

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Remarks:

This study has been performed according to UN and EC guidelines and according to GLP principles. Test substance is adequately characterised. Therefore full validation applies.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method A.10 (Flammability (Solids))

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria: Test N.1 (Test method for readily combustible solids)

Version / remarks:

2003

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

In contact with the flame of the gas burner, the test substance melted and glowed. After removal of the ignition source, no propagation of combustion of the test substance along 200 mm length of the pile within 4 minutes was observed. According to the guidelines performance of the burning rate test is not required. Based on the results obtained the test substance is considered ‘not highly flammable’.

Interpretation of results:

not classified based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

The test item is NOT classified as a flammable solid according to Regulation (EC) N°1272/2008 (CLP) criteria.

Executive summary:

The substance was tested for its flammable properties, according to EU A10/UN N1 guideline, and under GLP.

Test material has been determined to be not highly flammable as it failed to propagate ignition in the preliminary screening test.

Reference 6

Endpoint:

self-heating substances / mixtures

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Justification for type of information:

The test substance is aluminium sulphate basic, of formula Al2 (OH)0.18 (SO4)2.91, and not pure aluminium sulphate Al2 (SO4)3; however, according to the notifier, limited basicity may occur in the technical substance. Therefore, the chemical similarity (only 0.9% OH) is considered sufficient for supporting data on the hydrated form, the reference substance for the REACh registration dossier being the anhydrous form.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Key result

Test procedure:

100 mm sample cube at 140°C

Max. temp. reached:

140

Induction time (h):

24

Result:

negative outcome (no effect observed)

Interpretation of results:

not classified based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

The substance is NOT classified as self-heating, based on CLP criteria.

Executive summary:

From analogue, no exothermic reaction is anticipated in UN N4 test conditions.

Reference 7

Endpoint:

self-heating substances / mixtures

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

09 March 2010- 04 June 2010

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Remarks:

This study has been performed according to UN guideline and according to GLP princip les. Test substance is adequately characterised. Therefore full validation applies.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria: Test N.4 (Test method for self-heating substances)

Version / remarks:

2003

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Key result

Test procedure:

100 mm sample cube at 140°C

Max. temp. reached:

140

Induction time (h):

24

Result:

negative outcome (no effect observed)

No exothermic reaction was observed. The test substance temperature did not exceed 200°C (i.e. a rise of more than 60°C above the oven temperature). Therefore this test was considered negative. No changes were observed in the appearance of the test substance.

Based on this, the test substance is ‘not a self-heating substance’.

Interpretation of results:

not classified based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

The test substance is ‘not a self-heating substance’.

Executive summary:

The self-heating potential of aluminium sulphate basic hydrated was investigated according to UN N4 guideline. No exothermic reaction was observed. The test substance temperature did not exceed 200°C (i.e. a rise of more than 60°C above the oven temperature). Therefore this test was considered negative. No changes were observed in the appearance of the test substance.

The test is relevant for classification according to CLP criteria.

Description of key information

Not a flammable solid (no propagation of combustion if contact with a flame) (from analogue).

Not a self-heating substance (no exothermic reaction) (from analogue).

Not pyrophoric. Not flammable if contact with water. (waived)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Flammability:

not classified

Additional information

No data is available on the reference substance (anhydrous form), but reliable experimental studies were conducted on analogue, showing no propagation of combustion regarding flammability of solids, and no exothermal reaction, i.e. no self-heating. Despite the test substance was an hydrated grade, the study is considered suitable for purpose, and then retained as key, because heating will vaporise the crystallisation water from 80°C, as shown under 4.2, leaving the parent compound.

Moreover, supporting literature data indicates that the substance is used as a fireproofing agent, therefore as a weight of evidence, it should not have flammable properties.

Based on experience, no flammable properties are anticipated if contact with air or water, therefore studies were deemed unnecessary.

Justification for classification or non-classification

According to Regulation (EC) No.1272/2008 (CLP) criteria, the substance as solid failed to propagate combustion in the preliminary test (UN N1 preliminary test identical to EC A10), therefore it is NOT classified as a flammable solid.

According to Regulation (EC) No.1272/2008 (CLP) criteria, no exothermal reaction was observed in the UN N4 test, therefore the substance is NOT classified as self-heating.