SECTION 9: Physical and chemical properties
This section of the safety data sheet shall describe the empirical data relating to the substance or mixture, if relevant. Article 8(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 shall apply.
To enable proper control measures to be taken, all relevant information on the substance or mixture shall be provided. The information in this section shall be consistent with the information provided in the registration or in the chemical safety report, where required, and with the classification of the substance or mixture.
In the case of a mixture, where information does not apply to the mixture as a whole, the entries shall clearly indicate to which substance in the mixture the data apply.
Reported properties shall be clearly identified and reported in the appropriate measurement units. The method of determination shall be provided, including measurement and reference conditions, if relevant for the interpretation of the numerical value. Unless specified otherwise, standard conditions of temperature and pressure are 20 °C and 101,3 kPa, respectively.
The properties listed in subsections 9.1 and 9.2 may be presented in a form of a list. Within the subsections, the order of listing the properties may be different if deemed appropriate.
9.1. Information on basic physical and chemical properties
Each safety data sheet shall include the properties mentioned below. If it is stated that a particular property does not apply or if information on a particular property is not available, this shall be clearly indicated, giving the reasons where possible.
Physical state
The physical state (gas, liquid or solid) shall generally be indicated at standard conditions of temperature and pressure.
The definitions of the terms gas, liquid and solid, as provided in Section 1.0 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, shall apply.
Colour
The colour of the substance or mixture as supplied shall be indicated.
In cases where one safety data sheet is used to cover variants of a mixture which may have different colours, the term ‘various’ can be used to describe the colour.
Odour
A qualitative description of the odour shall be given if it is well-known or described in the literature.
If available, the odour threshold shall be indicated (qualitatively or quantitatively).
Melting point/freezing point
Does not apply to gases.
Melting point and freezing point shall be indicated at standard pressure.
In case the melting point is above the measuring range of the method, it shall be indicated up to which temperature no melting point was observed.
If decomposition or sublimation occur prior to or during melting, it shall be indicated.
As regards waxes and pastes, the softening point/range may be indicated instead of the melting point and freezing point.
As regards mixtures, if it is technically not possible to determine the melting point/freezing point, this shall be indicated.
Boiling point or initial boiling point and boiling range
These properties shall be indicated at standard pressure. A boiling point at lower pressure might however be indicated, in case the boiling point is very high or in case decomposition occurs before boiling at standard pressure.
If the boiling point is above the measuring range of the method, the temperature up to which no boiling point was observed shall be indicated.
If decomposition occurs prior to or during boiling, this shall be indicated.
As regards mixtures, if it is technically not possible to determine their boiling point or range, this shall be indicated; in that case, the boiling point of the lowest boiling ingredient shall also be indicated.
Flammability
Applies to gases, liquids and solids.
It shall be indicated whether the substance or mixture is ignitable, i.e. capable of catching fire or being set on fire, even if not classified for flammability.
If available and appropriate, further information may be indicated, such as whether the effect of ignition is other than a normal combustion (e.g. an explosion) and the ignitability under non-standard conditions.
More specific information on the flammability may be indicated based on the respective hazard classification. The information provided in subsection 9.2.1 shall not be provided in this point.
Lower and upper explosion limit ( 39 )
Do not apply to solids.
As regards flammable liquids, at least the lower explosion limit shall be indicated. If the flash point is approximately – 25 °C or higher, it may not be possible to determine the upper explosion limit at standard temperature; in that case, it is recommended to indicate the upper explosion limit at a higher temperature. If the flash point is higher than 20 °C, it may not be possible to determine the lower or the upper explosion limit at standard temperature; in that case, it is recommended to indicate both the lower and the upper explosion limits at a higher temperature.
Flash point
Does not apply to gases, aerosols and solids.
For mixtures, a value for the mixture shall be indicated, if available. Otherwise, the flash point(s) of the substance(s) with the lowest flash point(s) shall be indicated.
Auto-ignition temperature
Only applies to gases and liquids.
As regards mixtures the auto-ignition temperature for the mixture shall be indicated, if available. If the value for the mixture is not available, the auto-ignition temperature(s) of the ingredients with the lowest auto-ignition temperature(s) shall be indicated.
Decomposition temperature
Only applies to self-reactive substances and mixtures, organic peroxides, and other substances and mixtures that may decompose.
The self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) and the volume to which it applies, or the decomposition onset temperature shall be indicated.
It shall be indicated whether the temperature given is the SADT or the decomposition onset temperature.
If no decomposition was observed, it shall be indicated up to which temperature no decomposition was observed, e.g. ‘no decomposition observed up to x °C’.
pH
Does not apply to gases.
The pH of the substance or mixture as supplied, or where the product is a solid, the pH of an aqueous liquid or solution at a given concentration, shall be indicated.
The concentration of the test substance or mixture in water shall be indicated.
Kinematic viscosity
Only applies to liquids.
The measurement unit shall be mm2/s.
For non-Newtonian liquids, the thixotropic or rheopexic behaviour shall be indicated.
Solubility
Solubility shall generally be indicated at standard temperature.
The solubility in water shall be indicated.
The solubility in other polar and non-polar solvents may also be included.
As regards mixtures, it shall be indicated if the mixture is fully or only partially soluble in or miscible with water or other solvent.
As regards nanoforms, the dissolution rate in water or in other relevant biological or environmental media shall be indicated in addition to the water solubility.
Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value)
Does not apply to inorganic and ionic liquids and does not generally apply to mixtures.
It shall be indicated whether the reported value is based on testing or on calculation.
As regards nanoforms of a substance for which the n-octanol/water partition coefficient does not apply, the dispersion stability in different media shall be indicated.
Vapour pressure
Vapour pressure shall generally be indicated at standard temperature.
As regards volatile fluids, the vapour pressure at 50 °C shall also be indicated.
In cases where one safety data sheet is used to cover variants of a liquid mixture or liquefied gas mixture, a range for the vapour pressure shall be indicated.
As regards liquid mixtures or liquefied gas mixtures, a range for the vapour pressure or at least the vapour pressure of the most volatile ingredient(s), where the vapour pressure of the mixture is predominantly determined by that or those ingredient(s), shall be indicated.
The saturated vapour concentration may also be indicated.
Density and/or relative density
Only apply to liquids and solids.
Density and relative density shall generally be indicated at standard conditions of temperature and pressure.
The absolute density and/or the relative density based on water at 4 °C as reference (also referred to as the specific gravity) shall be indicated.
In cases where variations in density are possible, e.g. due to batch manufacture, or where one safety data sheet is used to cover several variants of a substance or mixture, a range may be indicated.
The safety data sheet shall indicate whether the absolute density (units e.g. g/cm3 or kg/m3 ) and/or the relative density (dimensionless) is being reported.
Relative vapour density
Only applies to gases and liquids.
As regards gases, the relative density of the gas based on air at 20 °C as reference shall be indicated.
As regards liquids, the relative vapour density based on air at 20 °C as reference shall be indicated.
As regards liquids, the relative density D m of the vapour/air-mixture at 20 °C may also be indicated.
Particle characteristics
Only apply to solids.
The particle size (median equivalent diameter, method of calculation of the diameter (number-, surface- or volume-based) and the range in which this median value varies), shall be indicated. Other properties may also be indicated, such as size distribution (e.g. as a range), shape and aspect ratio, aggregation and agglomeration state, specific surface area and dustiness. If the substance is in nanoform or if the mixture supplied contains a nanoform, those characteristics shall be indicated in this subsection, or referred to if already specified elsewhere in the safety data sheet.
9.2. Other information
In addition to the properties mentioned in subsection 9.1, other physical and chemical parameters shall be indicated, such as the properties listed in subsections 9.2.1 and 9.2.2, if their indication is relevant for the safe use of the substance or mixture.
9.2.1. Information with regard to physical hazard classes
This subsection lists properties, safety characteristics and test results, which may be useful to include in the safety data sheet when a substance or mixture is classified in the respective physical hazard class. Data deemed relevant with regard to a specific physical hazard but not resulting in classification (e.g. negative test results close to the criterion), may also be appropriate to indicate.
The name of the hazard class to which the data relate may be indicated together with the data.
This point also applies to substances and mixtures referred to in Note 2 of section 2.1.3 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, and to other substances and mixtures which show a positive effect if heated under confinement.
The following information may be provided:
sensitivity to shock;
effect of heating under confinement;
effect of ignition under confinement;
sensitivity to impact;
sensitivity to friction;
thermal stability;
package (type, size, net mass of substance or mixture), based on which the ‘division’ within the explosive class was assigned, or based on which the substance or mixture was exempted from classification as explosive.
As regards pure flammable gas, the following information may be provided in addition to data on the explosion limits referred to in point (g) of subsection 9.1:
the T Ci (maximum content of flammable gas which, when mixed with nitrogen, is not flammable in air, in mol. %);
the fundamental burning velocity if the gas is classified as Category 1B based on fundamental burning velocity.
As regards a flammable gas mixture, the following information may be provided in addition to data on the explosion limits referred to in point (g) of subsection 9.1:
explosion limits, if tested, or an indication of whether the classification and category assignment is based on calculation;
fundamental burning velocity if the gas mixture is classified as Category 1B based on fundamental burning velocity.
The following total percentage (by mass) of flammable components may be provided, unless the aerosol is classified as Aerosol category 1 because it contains more than 1 % (by mass) flammable components or has a heat of combustion of at least 20 kJ/g and is not submitted to the flammability classification procedures (see the Note in Paragraph 2.3.2.2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008);
As regards pure gas, the C i (coefficient of oxygen equivalency) as per ISO 10156 ‘Gases and gas mixtures – Determination of fire potential and oxidizing ability for the selection of cylinder valve outlets’, or as per an equivalent method, may be provided;
As regards a gas mixture, the words ‘oxidising gas Category 1 (tested as per ISO 10156 (or as per an equivalent method))’ may be indicated as regards tested mixtures, or the calculated oxidising power as per ISO 10156 or as per an equivalent method;
As regards pure gas, critical temperature may be provided.
As regards gas mixture, pseudo-critical temperature may be provided;
When the substance or mixture is classified as flammable liquid, data on the boiling point and flash point do not need to be provided under this point as that data are to be indicated in accordance with the subsection 9.1. Information on sustained combustibility may be provided.
The following information may be provided:
burning rate, or burning time as regards metal powders,
statement on whether the wetted zone has been passed;
In addition to the indication of the SADT as specified in point (j) of subsection 9.1, the following information may be provided:
decomposition temperature,
detonation properties,
deflagration properties,
effect of heating under confinement,
explosive power, if applicable;
Information on whether spontaneous ignition or charring of filter paper occurs may be provided.
The following information may be provided:
statement on whether spontaneous ignition occurs when poured or within five minutes thereafter, as regards solids in powder form,
statement on whether pyrophoric properties could change over time.
The following information may be provided:
statement on whether spontaneous ignition occurs and the maximum temperature rise obtained,
results of screening tests referred to in section 2.11.4.2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, if relevant and available;
The following information may be provided:
identity of the emitted gas, if known,
statement on whether the emitted gas ignites spontaneously,
gas evolution rate;
Information on whether spontaneous ignition occurs when mixed with cellulose may be provided.
Information on whether spontaneous ignition occurs when mixed with cellulose may be provided.
In addition to the indication of the SADT as specified in point (j) of subsection 9.1, the following information may be provided:
decomposition temperature,
detonation properties,
deflagration properties,
effect of heating under confinement,
explosive power;
The following information may be provided:
metals that are corroded by the substance or mixture,
corrosion rate and statement on whether it refers to steel or aluminium,
reference to other sections of the safety data sheet with regard to compatible or incompatible materials.
The following information may be provided:
desensitising agent used,
exothermic decomposition energy,
corrected burning rate (Ac);
explosive properties of the desensitised explosive in that state.
9.2.2. Other safety characteristics
Properties, safety characteristics and test results listed below may be useful to indicate as regards a substance or a mixture:
mechanical sensitivity;
self-accelerating polymerisation temperature;
formation of explosible dust/air mixtures;
acid/alkaline reserve;
evaporation rate;
miscibility;
conductivity;
corrosiveness;
gas group;
redox potential;
radical formation potential;
photocatalytic properties.
Other physical and chemical parameters shall be indicated if their indication is relevant for the safe use of the substance or mixture.