Trilithium orthophosphate

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Appearance/physical state/colour:

Lithium phosphate is a white, odourless solid in powder form.

Melting point/freezing point:

The test substance melts in the range from 1200 to 1205 °C.

Boiling point:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.3, the boiling point study does not need to be conducted because the substance is a solid which melts above 300 °C. Lithium phosphate has a melting point of 1205 °C, therefore a study is scientifically not necessary.

Density:

According to the handbook data, the relative density of lithium phosphate is 2.5 at 20 °C.

Particle size distribution (Granulometry):

The particle size distribution of the test item, lithium phosphate, was measured by laser diffraction according to EN ISO 9001 in two studies. At one study the values were as follows: D(10): 5.32 µm, D(50): 12.2 µm, D(90): 22.44 µm (FMC, 704.426.5300, 2012), at another study the values were as follows: D(10): 0.79 µm, D(50): 2.72 µm, D(90): 8.49 µm (Albemarle Germany, 2014).

Vapour pressure:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.5, the vapour pressure study does not need to be conducted as the melting point is above 300 °C. Lithium phosphate has a melting point of 1205 °C, therefore a study is scientifically not necessary. Additionally, the vapour pressure of lithium phosphate was calculated by means of the program MPBPWIN (EPI Suite, v1.43). Vapour pressure of lithium phosphate was estimated to be 4.88E-022 Pa at 25 °C using the modified Grain method.

Partition coefficient:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.8, the test on partition coefficient n-octanol/water does not need to be conducted if the substance is inorganic. Lithium phosphate is an inorganic compound. Furthermore, lithium phosphate completely dissociates in water forming lithium cation and the corresponding phosphate anion. For risk assessment purposes a partition coefficient of the anion (phosphoric acid) in water was estimated with EPI Suite v4.10.The theoretical, calculated (EPIWIN) log Pow of phosphoric acid is -0.77.

Water solubility:

According to the available handbook data, lithium phosphate has a water solubility between 0.22 and 0.39 g/L at 0 - 25 °C. Thus, lithium phosphate is moderately soluble (100 -1000 mg/L) in water.

Surface tension:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, 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 phosphate. Therefore a study is scientifically not necessary.

Flash point:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.9 the flash point study does not need to be conducted as the substance is inorganic. Therefore, a study for lithium phosphate is technically not feasible.

Auto flammability:

In accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.12, a self-ignition temperature study does not need to be conducted because experience in handling gives no indication, that the substance is self-heating up to 400 °C. Additionally, the substance was not flammable in a preliminarly screening test (see IUCLID section 4.13).

Flammability:

The preliminary screening test according to UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, did not indicate flammable properties. Based on the result of the preliminary test, lithium phosphate is classified non-flammable.

Explosiveness:

Although the substance contains chemicals groups associated with explosive properties, which include oxypen, the determination of explosiveness is not necessary in accordance with column 2 of REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex VII, section 7.11 because the calculated oxygen balance is less than -200.

Oxidising properties:

The determination of the oxidising properties of lithium phosphate was performed according to the UN Test of Oxidising Solids O.1. The test item was mixed with dry fibrous cellulose in mixing ratios of 1:1 and 4:1 by mass, of sample to cellulose. The burning characteristics of the mixtures were compared with the standard 3:7 mixture, by mass, of potassium bromate to cellulose (Packing Group III reference material). Under the conditions of this test, the test item did not appear to be a Division 5.1 Solid Oxidizer, as defined by UN/DOT criteria. This is because the sample, combined with cellulose in 1:1 and 4:1 ratios appeared to have an average burn time greater than the Packing Group III reference standards, when the UN Test of Oxidizing Solids Test O.1 was performed on the material.

Self-reactive:

The study does not neet to be conducted because there are no chemical groups present in the molecule which are associated with explosive or self-reactive properties and hence, the classification procedure does not need to be applied.

Organic peroxide:

The study does not need to be conducted because the substance does not fall under the definition of organic peroxides according to GHS and the relevant UN Manual of tests and criteria (2015).

Corrosive to metals:

The study does not need to be conducted because there is no established suitable test method for solid substances.Furthermore, experience in handling lithium phosphate in the laboratory and the plant indicate that it is not corrosive to metals. It does not meet the criteria in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (2015), for materials corrosive to metal.

Gases under pressure:

The study does not need to be conducted because the substance is a solid.