1.1

This part of ISO 11907 specifies a test method using a small-scale laboratory apparatus for the determination of the corrosive effects of combustion products liberated by burning plastics. Although the method is applicable to all combustible materials which might constitute a corrosion risk in the event of their burning, the size and nature of the test specimen is such that the test is not directly applicable to end-use assessment of corrosion hazard.

1.2

The test method makes it possible to produce a ranking of materials in the order of the corrosivity of their combustion products under specific test conditions with regard to combustion temperature, available oxygen, ventilation and different humidity levels.

NOTE 1 In order to assess the risk of corrosion when materials burn, the ranking of materials by corrosivity should be combined with their heat and flame response characteristics (e.g. ignitability, surface spread of flame, rate of heat release). The assessment of risk of corrosion in the event of fire requires consideration of many factors including fuel load, intensity of burning, ventilation conditions, humidity levels and the nature of the exposed surfaces.

Although the method described in this part of ISO 11907 refers only to copper corrosion, the test can be applied to other metallic and non-metallic materials in a variety of detector forms.

NOTE 2 Additives and fillers have been shown to influence the test results.

1.3

It is emphasized that this standard method of test is intended to be used to evaluate the relative degree of possible corrosive effects of fire gases to exposed materials and products under controlled laboratory conditions, and should not be considered, or used, for describing or appraising the corrosion risk of materials, products or systems under actual fire conditions.