Oxidizing Substances

An oxidizer is a chemical that brings about an oxidation reaction. In an oxidation reaction, the oxidizer may provide oxygen to the substance being oxidized (in which case the oxidizer has to be oxygen or contain oxygen), or it may receive electrons being transferred from the substance undergoing oxidation (e.g., chlorine is a good oxidizer for electron-transfer purposes, even though it contains no oxygen). Oxidizers can initiate or greatly accelerate the burning of fuels. The most common oxidizer is atmospheric oxygen. Oxygen-containing chemicals (e.g., nitrous oxide) and halogens (e.g., bromine, chlorine, and fluorine) can also be strong oxidizers. Some chemicals may be oxidizers with such an extremely fast burning ability that they are classified as explosives or blasting agents, rather than oxidizers.

Definition

Oxidizing gas means any gas which may, generally by providing oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air does. Gases which cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air does means pure gases or gas mixtures with an oxidizing power greater than 23.5% (as determined by a method specified in ISO 10156:1996 or 10156-2:2005, or an equivalent testing method).