Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)

Available format(s)

Hardcopy , PDF

Language(s)

English

Published date

15-08-2017

Publisher

American Society for Testing and Materials

1.1This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, expressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.

1.2This test method provides three testing procedures. Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B involves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short procedure involving the comparison with a specified minimum value of the oxygen index.

1.3Test specimens used for this test method are prepared into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).

TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions

Test Specimen Type^A		Dimensions			Material Form
Test Specimen Type^A		Length, mm	Width, mm	Thickness, mm	Material Form
	I	80 to 150	10 ± 0.5	4 ± 0.25	for molding materials
	II	80 to 150	10 ± 0.5	10 ± 0.5	for cellular materials
	III^B	80 to 150	10 ± 0.5	≤ 10.5	for sheet materials
	IV	70 to 150	6.5 ± 0.5	3 ± 0.25	alternative size for self-supporting molding or sheet materials
	V^B	140 ± 5	52 ± 0.5	≤10.5	for flexible film or sheet
	VI^B,^C	140 to 200	20	0.02 to 0.10	for thin film; limited to film that can be rolled by the wire specified in 6.7

(A)Test specimens of Types I, II, III, and IV are suitable for materials that are self-supporting at these dimensions. Test specimens of Form V and VI are suitable for materials that require support during testing. Test specimens of Form VI are suitable for film materials that can be rolled into a self-supporting specimen by the procedure in 7.4.

(B)Compare results obtained using Type III, V, and VI test specimens only to those obtained using specimens of the same form and thickness. It is assumed that the amount of variation in thickness for such materials will be controlled by other standards.

(C)The test specimen of Type VI is suitable for thin film that is self-supporting when it is rolled (see 7.4). Dimensions in the table are of the specimen size from which the rolled form is made. If the film is very thin, it is possible that proper results will only be obtained if two or more layers are combined in the preparation of the roll to obtain proper results.

1.4This test method provides for testing materials that are structurally self-supporting in the form of vertical bars or sheet up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater than 15 kg/m³.

1.5This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet or film materials, while supported vertically.

1.6This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15 kg/m³.

Note 1:Although this test method has been found applicable for testing some other materials, the precision of the test method has not been determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test conditions outside those recommended herein.

1.7This test method measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.

1.8The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.9This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statement are given in Section 10.

1.10Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.

Note 2:This test method and ISO 4589-2 are technically equivalent when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1, with direct oxygen concentration measurement.

1.11This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Committee	D 20
DocumentType	Test Method
Pages	14
PublisherName	American Society for Testing and Materials
Status	NA
SupersededBy	ASTM D 2863 : 2017 : REV A
Supersedes	ASTM D 2863 : 2013 ASTM D 2863 : 2013

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