Organic Peroxide Storage - Stainless Steel Firevault
Organic peroxides are organic chemicals which contain the unstable -O-O- peroxy linkage in their molecular structure. They are highly reactive, combustible and thermally unstable substances which may undergo self-accelerating decomposition. They also possess oxidising characteristics and will react, often violently, with organic matter and chemical reducing agents. A limited number of liquid compositions are low flash point, highly flammable liquids. In the pure state some are detonable and easily initiated. These properties are suppressed or removed by dilution or phlegmatisation (desensitisation) with liquids such as water and phthalates. Even so, commercially available organic peroxides are capable of self heating and runaway decomposition. Initiation is by heating or contamination with, for example, transition metal compounds (particularly those of vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron and cobalt) amines, strong acids and alkalis. Contamination of a container of organic peroxide with parts per million of a resin accelerator is likely to result in an exothermic runaway reaction. The conclusion to a runaway reaction may be a violent pressure burst of the container together with a sudden release of hot flammable vapours which might be toxic and ignite spontaneously. If the container provides significant confinement, an explosion of the peroxide may occur. Peroxides spilled onto combustible materials eg wood, paper, cotton, may result in a fire.
If you are storing Organic Peroxides onsite please contact Chemstore to organise a site visit to discuss our bespoke solutions
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