Various requirements concerning construction materials apply to containers for the transport of dangerous goods. These requirements vary according to the type of construction material and packaging and are normally to be found in the design specifications for the individual kinds of packaging in the rules and regulations for the transport of dangerous goods (for example, ADR, RID).

Confirmation of chemical compatibility

The chemical compatibility of the plastic materials with the filling good must be proved, in particular, for barrels, jerrycans and combination packagings made of plastic materials.

When doing so the following deterioration mechanisms are observed:

  • swelling
  • stress cracking
  • molecular degradation

In practice, six months (shortened to 21 days at 40°C) of pre-storage with the original filling good proves chemical compatibility. In addition, there are procedures for the construction material polyethylene which apply test results to similar ("assimilatable") substances, or use model liquids.

Verification of suitability for alternative synthetics

The application of test results to similar construction materials is also possible in certain cases. See BAM-GGR 003.

Evaluation of the corosion resistance for metallic materials

According to the rules and regulations for the transport of dangerous goods, construction materials for building pressure vessels and their closures which come into direct contact with dangerous goods must

  • not be corroded or weakened significantly by these goods, and
  • not react dangerously with these goods.

There is the requirement for transport tanks that the construction materials must not affect the goods being transported. Additional requirements regarding brittle fracture safety and insensitivity to stress corrosion cracking apply to rail tank cars with attached tanks, tank containers or tank vehicles. Requirements concerning weldability and adequate notch impact strength apply to welded tank bodies.

In the BAM, data from lab tests, operational experience and bibliographical references are collected concerning chemical resistance evaluations of metallic tank construction materials and polymer sealing, coating and lining materials. This information is administered in the database GEFAHRGUT of the BAM.

Resistance data on frequently used metallic and polymer materials under the influence of solid, liquid and gaseous substances are listed alphabetically in the BAM-List (requirements of tanks for the transport of dangerous goods).

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