ASTM D3941-90(1996)e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Flash Point by the Equilibrium Method With a Closed-Cup Apparatus
Standard Test Method for Flash Point by the Equilibrium Method With a Closed-Cup Apparatus
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash point of liquids in which the specimen and the air/vapor mixture above it are approximately in temperature equilibrium.
1.2 This test method is limited to a temperature range from 32 to 230°F (0 to 110°C).
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of material, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use .
1.5 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.
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Designation: D 3941 – 90 (Reapproved 1996)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Flash Point by the Equilibrium Method With a Closed-Cup
Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3941; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Unit of measurement statement added to the Scope Section in March 1996.
INTRODUCTION
Test Methods D 56 and D 93 describe procedures using the Tag Closed Tester and the Pensky-
Martens Tester, respectively. Both test methods depend on a definite rate of temperature increase to
control the precision of the test method. The rate of heating may not in all cases give the accuracy
expected because of low thermal conductivity of certain materials. To reduce this effect, ISO/TC 35,
Paints and Varnishes, and ISO/TC 28, Petroleum Products and Lubricants, have issued ISO 1523 in
which the heating rate is considerably slower. This test method is similar to ISO 1523, but uses
standard ASTM cups, style, and format. Due to the slower heating rate, the time required to make a
determination of a flash point is considerably longer than for Test Methods D 56 and D 93 but the
accuracy is improved.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash 2.1 ASTM Standards:
point of liquids in which the specimen and the air/vapor D 56 Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Tester
mixture above it are approximately in temperature equilibrium. D 93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
1.2 This test method is limited to a temperature range from Closed Tester
32 to 230°F (0 to 110°C). E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 2.2 ISO Standard:
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for ISO 1523 Paints, varnishes, petroleum, and related
information only. products—Determination of flash point—Closed cup
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe equilibrium method
the properties of material, products, or assemblies in response
3. Terminology
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
3.1 Definitions:
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
fire risk of materials, products or assemblies under actual fire 3.1.1 flash point, n—the lowest temperature corrected to a
pressure of 760 mm Hg (101.3 kPa) (1013 millibars) at which
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all application of an ignition source causes the vapor of the
specimen to ignite under specified conditions of test.
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
hazard of a particular end use.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 A specimen is heated in a closed cup of standard design
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in a suitable liquid bath at the rate of 1.0°F (0.5°C) in not less
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
than 1.5 min so that the difference in temperature between the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
specimen in the cup and bath never exceeds 3.5°F (2.0°C).
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Flash determinations are made at intervals of not less than 1.5
min.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.22 on Health and Safety.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
Current edition approved May 25, 1990. Published July 1990. Originally
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
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published as D 3941 – 80. Last previous edition D 3941 – 84 .
Available from American National Standards Institute, 13th Floor, 11 W. 42nd
St., New York, NY 10036.
D 3941
5. Significance and Use 8. Preparation of Sample
8.1 Obtain a representative sample of the product under test
5.1 This test method, using a slow rate of heating, provides
and keep in an air-tight container.
a uniform temperature throughout the specimen. The slow rate
8.2 Because of the possibility of loss of volatile constitu-
of heating is necessary because of the low thermal conductivity
ents, the sample should receive only the minimum treatment to
of some liquids such as paints, resins, and related products, and
ensure uniformity. After removing the specimen, immediately
also because of the poor heat transfer by convection in
close the sample container tightly to ensure that no volatile
high-viscosity products. Since the specimen is being heated at
flammable components escape from the container (otherwise a
a reduced rate, the longer time interval between each determi-
new sample may be necessary if further testing is required).
nation is necessary to reestablish after each flash test the
8.3 Do not open containers unnecessarily. Do not make
saturation concentration of vapor in the air space above the
transfers unless the sample temperature is at least 20°F (10°C)
specimen.
below the expected flash point, except for materials that are too
NOTE 1—ISO 1523 is used in United Nations Recommendations for
viscous to be handled at that temperature. In these cases,
Transportation of Dangerous Goods and in the International Civil Aviation
transfer the specimens at the lowest possible temperature at
Organization (ICAO) regulations and for similar regulations in the
which the material can be accurately measured into the cup.
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code. Test Method
D 3941, which is similar to ISO 1523, is used in the United States 8.4 Discard samples in leaky containers.
Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulations. The ICAO and
8.5 Do not store samples in plastic (polyethylene, polypro-
IMDG codes are used for transshipment of hazardous materials through
pylene, etc.) bottles, since volatile material may diffuse
the United States to other countries.
through the walls of the bottles.
6. Apparatus
9. Preparation of Apparatus
6.1 Test Cups, equipped with their lid as specified in Test 9.1 Support the cup and liquid bath on a level steady table.
Methods D 56 (Tag) and D93 (Pensky-Martens). Remove the Unless tests are made in a draft-free room or compartment,
test cup assembly (including lid and specimen thermometer) surround the tester on three sides by the shield for protection
from the Tag and Pensky-Martens apparatus to permit either to from drafts. Tests made in a laboratory draft hood or near
be used in a separate water bath. ventilators are not reliable.
6.1.1 If a stirrer is fitted to the test cup used, it shall operate 9.2 Adjust the temperature of the bath to 10°F (5°C) below
the
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