ASTM D2863-09
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides for the measuring of the minimum concentration of oxygen in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just support flaming combustion of plastics. Correlation with burning characteristics under actual use conditions is not implied.
In this test method, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire-test-exposure conditions described in this test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This 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.
1.2 This 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.
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
1.4 This 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.
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet or film materials, while supported vertically.
1.6 This 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.
1.7 This 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.
1.8 This 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statement are given in Section 10.
1.9 Fire 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.
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions Test Specimen TypeADimensionsMaterial Form Length,
mmWidth,
mmThickness, mm I80 to 15010 ± 0.54 ± 0.25for molding materials II80 to 15010 ± 0.510 ± 0.5for cellular materials IIIB80 to 15010 ± 0.5≤ 10.5for sheet materials IVC70 to 1506.5 ± 0.53 ± 0.25alternative size for
self-supporting molding
or sheet materials VB140 ± 552 ± 0.5≤10.5for flexible film or sheet VIBD140 to 200200.02 to 0.10for 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 ...
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Designation:D2863–09
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
1
Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2863; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards
statement are given in Section 10.
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, ex-
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
pressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming
conducting these tests.
combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures.
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO4589-2 are technically equivalent
Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B in- when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1,
with direct oxygen concentration measurement.
volves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short
procedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimum
2. Referenced Documents
value of the oxygen index.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are
eous Fuel Samples
structurallyself-supportingintheformofverticalbarsorsheet
D1622 Test Method forApparent Density of Rigid Cellular
up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or
Plastics
cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater
3
D4802 SpecificationforPoly(MethylMethacrylate)Acrylic
than 15 kg/m .
Plastic Sheet
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
or film materials, while supported vertically.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15
3
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
kg/m .
ISO 4589-2 Plastics—Determination of Flammability by
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for
Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
testingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeen
ISO 7823-1 Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Sheets—Types, Di-
determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test
mensions and Characteristics—Part 1—Cast Sheets
conditions outside those recommended herein.
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
1.7 Thistestmethodmeasuresanddescribestheresponseof
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
3. Terminology
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
3.1 Definitions
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method refer
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
to the terminology contained in Terminology E176 and
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ISO13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given in Termi-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
nology E176 shall prevail.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D2863-08. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D2863-09. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2863–09
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions
3.3.5 X—the period or extent of burning exceeds the rel-
Dimensi
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D2863–08 Designation:D2863–09
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
1
Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2863; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This 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.
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures. Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B involves
propagatingignition,andProcedureCisashortprocedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimumvalueoftheoxygen
index.
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
1.4 This 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
3
kg/m .
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet or film materials, while supported vertically.
3
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15 kg/m .
NOTE 1—Althoughthistestmethodhasbeenfoundapplicablefortestingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeendetermined
for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test conditions outside those recommended herein.
1.7 This 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.
1.8 This 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statement are given in Section 10. .
1.9 Fire 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gaseous Fuel Samples
D1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics
D4802 Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Acrylic Plastic Sheet
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 4589-2 Plastics—Determination of Flammability by Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
ISO 7823-1 Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Sheets—Types, Dimensions and Characteristics—Part 1—Cast Sheets
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties.
Current edition approved Aug.Sept. 1, 2008.2009. Published September 2008.2009. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20062008 as
D2863-06a.D2863-08.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2863–09
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions
Dimensions
Test
Specimen Material Form
L
...
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