Thermal analysis of peracetic acid (PAA) with respect to the explosive properties was performed using calorimetry. The exothermic characteristics and thermal runaway profiles of PAA solutions were acquired through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2). The results revealed significant enthalpy changes and gas eruption for PAA solutions that were subjected to free-radical induced and autocatalytic reactions. The reaction kinetics and order of various PAA solutions were elucidated using calorimetry. (C) 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.