Open AccessSensitivity tests on leaded glove material, EMRTC Report FR-95-15: Final test report
Author(s) -
Douglas Olson,
L. W. Davis,
A. Block-Bolten
Publication year - 1995
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/427011
Subject(s) - explosive material , nitration , nitric acid , ignition system , chemistry , trinitrotoluene , sensitivity (control systems) , autoignition temperature , drop (telecommunication) , waste management , combustion , organic chemistry , physics , electronic engineering , engineering , telecommunications , computer science , thermodynamics
Small-scale safety and characterization tests were performed on stored radioactive wastes. The materials tested were formed when leaded dry box gloves were exposed to nitric acid. The nitration products exhibited thermal and impact sensitivity which could lead to ignition of explosion. Water was used to separate the nitrated glove material into several fractions; only the insoluble fraction exhibited significant sensitivity to impact. Both the separated and mixed materials were thermally unstable. Self-heating occurred at about 80C or lower, depending on the quantity of material tested. The drop weight impact sensitivity of one sample was greater than that of trinitrotoluene. The electrostatic spark discharge sensitivity of the nitration products was measured to be less than for typical secondary explosives. No sensitivity to friction was measured. These results indicate that the nitrated gloves can probably be handled without extreme risk of ignition. Washing the nitrated materials was found to desensitize the materials, indicating that water could be used as a solvent when storing the materials