SDS section 10 of 16
SDS Section 10: Stability and reactivity
Section 10 explains how stable the product is and what it reacts with. It describes the product's reactivity, whether it is stable under normal conditions, the possibility of hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid (heat, light, shock, static discharge), incompatible materials and hazardous decomposition products. It is the section to check before you store, mix or heat anything.
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What OSHA requires in Section 10
OSHA enforces the content of Section 10 under the Hazard Communication Standard.
Appendix D requires Section 10 to contain:
- Reactivity: a description of specific test data for the chemical or its class, if available.
- Chemical stability: whether the chemical is stable or unstable under normal ambient temperature and pressure conditions in storage and handling, and any stabilizers used.
- Possibility of hazardous reactions: whether hazardous reactions or polymerization can occur and under what conditions.
- Conditions to avoid: for example static discharge, shock or vibration, heat, light or contamination.
- Incompatible materials: substances or classes that must be kept apart.
- Hazardous decomposition products: those that may be produced as a result of use, storage or heating.
GHS Annex 4 and international differences
GHS Annex 4 uses the same six elements. It recommends that, where available, the supplier give specific test data rather than only a general statement, and that the section state whether the product is stable or unstable under normal conditions together with any stabilizer used. The GHS also asks the preparer to say whether hazardous reactions can occur with specific substances or conditions, rather than writing a blanket "none".
Many sheets copy the phrase "hazardous polymerization will not occur". That statement should come from knowledge about the product, not from boilerplate. When the sheet is a template for many products, the statement may be wrong for the one in front of you.
What to look for and red flags
What to look for
- Named incompatibles. "Strong oxidizers, strong acids, alkali metals" is more useful than "incompatible materials".
- Conditions to avoid. Heat, direct sunlight, static discharge, friction and contamination are common.
- Decomposition products. These tell you which toxic or corrosive gases may form in a fire or when the product is heated.
- Stabilizers and shelf life. Some materials are only stable while an inhibitor is present, and the inhibitor can be depleted over time.
- Water reactivity and peroxide formation notes, which change how you store and dispose of the product.
Red flags
- "None known" for a class of chemicals that is well known to be reactive.
- Section 10 that contradicts Section 7 (for example advising against heat but giving no temperature limit for storage).
- Silence about peroxide formation for ethers and similar solvents.
- No decomposition products for a halogenated or nitrogen-containing organic.
Worked example: typical fields
An illustrative layout. For a compiled public-data example see the stability and reactivity section of the methanol page.
- Reactivity
- Reacts with strong oxidizers; no other special reactivity under normal use
- Chemical stability
- Stable under recommended storage conditions
- Hazardous reactions
- Vigorous reaction with specified incompatible materials; no hazardous polymerization expected
- Conditions to avoid
- Heat, sparks, open flames, static discharge
- Incompatible materials
- List of named classes
- Decomposition products
- Carbon oxides on thermal decomposition, plus others if applicable
See how this looks on a real page: methanol safety data, stability and reactivity section. Every chemical page uses these 16 sections with the same anchors, so you can compare any substance.
Common mistakes
- Mixing "to see what happens". Never combine waste streams or products without checking incompatibilities for each.
- Treating stable as harmless. A product that is stable at room temperature may be violently reactive when heated or contaminated.
- Overlooking contaminated cleaning rags. Some materials (oxidizers on organic rags, oily rags with drying oils) can self-heat.
- Storing near listed incompatibles. Check not only the main product but also neighbours on the shelf.
- Assuming a closed bottle stays stable forever. Date containers and follow the supplier's shelf-life advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does Section 10 of an SDS tell you?
It tells you how stable the product is and what it can react with: reactivity, chemical stability, possibility of hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, incompatible materials and hazardous decomposition products.
What are incompatible materials?
Incompatible materials are substances that can react dangerously with the product, for example by generating heat, fire, toxic gas or pressure. They should be stored and handled apart from the product.
Does 'hazardous polymerization will not occur' always apply?
It applies only if the supplier confirmed it for the product. For monomers and some other chemicals, hazardous polymerization can occur and the sheet should say under which conditions.
Where can I find out which gases form when a chemical burns?
Look under hazardous decomposition products in Section 10 and under specific hazards arising from the chemical in Section 5.