ASTM D5025-20a

Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the physical dimensions and characteristics of a laboratory burner used for small-scale burning tests on plastic materials, with the supply gases including methane, propane, and butane. The burner shall consist of a burner barrel that threads onto a one-piece base, which is equipped with an orifice and a needle valve that restricts the orifice opening and regulates the gas velocity through the burner, and a gas inlet, which consists of a serrated fitting for connection to the gas supply. A lock nut for securing the barrel onto the base may be provided optionally. The mixing tube of the barrel shall be manufactured with a uniform bore, and the barrel, threads, and serrated fitting shall be free of flash and burrs.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the physical dimensions and characteristics of a laboratory burner to be used as an ignition source for small-scale burning tests on plastic materials. The burner is used with methane, propane, or butane supply gases for flame heights of 20 to 125 mm.  
1.2 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.  
1.3 The burner described in this specification is suitable for use in the following ASTM standards: Specification C509, Test Method D229, Test Method D635, Test Method D876, Test Method D3014, Test Method D3801, Test Method D4804, Test Method D4986, and Test Method D5048. Safety hazards and known limitations on applicability of fire-test-response standards are addressed in the individual test methods.
Note 1: This specification is equivalent to the ignition source specified in IEC 60695-11-3, Annex A and IEC 60695-11-4, Annex A.
Note 2: This specification is equivalent to the P/PF2 ignition source specified in ISO 10093.  
1.4 This 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2020
• ICS: 71.040.20 - Laboratory ware and related apparatus
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.30 - Thermal Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5025-20 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM D883-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E176-24 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D883-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3014-19a - Standard Test Method for Flame Height, Time of Burning, and Loss of Mass of Rigid Thermoset Cellular Plastics in a Vertical Position
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D5048-19 - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid Plastics Using a 125-mm Flame
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D3801-19a - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4804-19a - Standard Test Method for Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D3014-19 - Standard Test Method for Flame Height, Time of Burning, and Loss of Mass of Rigid Thermoset Cellular Plastics in a Vertical Position
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM D883-19c - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4804-19 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM D883-19a - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM D229-19 - Standard Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Refers: ASTM D883-19 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019

Overview

ASTM D5025-20a is the standard specification established by ASTM International for laboratory burners used in small-scale burning tests on plastic materials. This specification defines essential physical dimensions, construction features, and performance criteria to ensure reliable and consistent use of laboratory burners as ignition sources during plastic flammability and fire response tests. Applicable gases include methane, propane, and butane, allowing flame heights from 20 to 125 mm. ASTM D5025-20a ensures that burners used for these tests provide accurate, repeatable conditions as required by major plastics testing standards.

Key Topics

• Burner Construction: Requires a barrel that threads onto a one-piece base, equipped with orifice and needle valve for gas flow regulation. The burner features a serrated fitting for gas supply connection, and may include a lock nut for secure barrel positioning.
• Material and Workmanship: All parts (typically brass or aluminum) must be free of flash and burrs, with a uniform-bore mixing tube and precision-machined fittings.
• Dimensional Requirements: Specifies critical sizes for the burner barrel, air inlet, orifice, and mixing tube for test consistency.
• Gas Compatibility: Designed for use with methane, propane, or butane to achieve precise flame heights required in standard plastics testing.
• Calibration and Markings: Test burners must be calibrated to produce 20 mm and 125 mm flames in accordance with ASTM Practice D5207. Burner bases should include manufacturer's identification.
• Safety Notes: This standard emphasizes that fire testing involves hazards, requiring sufficient safety precautions. The burner serves as a qualitative ignition source and not for quantitative fire resistance evaluation.

Applications

The ASTM D5025 laboratory burner is widely used as an ignition source in small-scale burning and fire response tests of plastic materials. Key sectors and test applications include:

• Plastics Testing Labs: Ensuring reliable small-scale burning or flammability evaluations for research, quality control, and product certification.
• Electrical Insulation Materials: Used in testing rigid and nonrigid polymeric materials for electrical insulation in accordance with ASTM D229 and D876.
• Building and Construction: Evaluation of elastomeric gaskets or sealing materials for fire response, referencing standards such as ASTM C509.
• Materials Development: Supporting development and validation of new plastics or polymeric formulations by enabling comparative burning characteristic studies.
• Conformance with International Standards: The burner design complies with the ignition source protocols given in global benchmarks like IEC 60695-11-3/-4 and ISO 10093, facilitating harmonized fire safety testing for global markets.

Related Standards

• ASTM Standards:

  • ASTM C509 - Elastomeric Cellular Preformed Gasket and Sealing Material
  • ASTM D229 - Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
  • ASTM D635 - Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position
  • ASTM D876 - Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer Tubing Used for Electrical Insulation
  • ASTM D3014, D3801, D4804, D4986, D5048 - Flammability and burning characteristics of various plastics
  • ASTM D5207 - Practice for Confirmation of Test Flames
  • ASTM D883, D1600, E176 - Terminology Standards

• International Standards:

  • ISO 10093 - Plastics-Fire Tests-Standard Ignition Sources
  • ISO 13943 - Fire Safety-Vocabulary
  • IEC 60695-11-3/-4 - Fire Hazard Testing, Test Flames

By adhering to ASTM D5025-20a, laboratories and manufacturers can ensure consistent, repeatable, and internationally recognized small-scale burning tests, supporting fire safety research, regulatory compliance, and product quality assurance within the plastics industry.

Standards Content (Sample)

This 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.
Designation: D5025 −20a
Standard Specification for
Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on
Plastic Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5025; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and
Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position
1.1 This specification covers the physical dimensions and
D876 Test Methods for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer
characteristics of a laboratory burner to be used as an ignition
Tubing Used for Electrical Insulation
source for small-scale burning tests on plastic materials. The
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
burner is used with methane, propane, or butane supply gases
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
for flame heights of 20 to 125 mm.
tics
1.2 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative
D3014 Test Method for Flame Height,Time of Burning, and
measures.
Loss of Mass of Rigid Thermoset Cellular Plastics in a
Vertical Position
1.3 The burner described in this specification is suitable for
use in the followingASTM standards: Specification C509,Test D3801 TestMethodforMeasuringtheComparativeBurning
Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
Method D229, Test Method D635, Test Method D876, Test
Method D3014, Test Method D3801, Test Method D4804, Test D4804 Test Method for Determining the Flammability Char-
acteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics
Method D4986, and Test Method D5048. Safety hazards and
known limitations on applicability of fire-test-response stan- D4986 Test Method for Horizontal Burning Characteristics
of Cellular Polymeric Materials
dards are addressed in the individual test methods.
D5048 TestMethodforMeasuringtheComparativeBurning
NOTE1—Thisspecificationisequivalenttotheignitionsourcespecified
Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid
in IEC 60695-11-3, Annex A and IEC 60695-11-4, Annex A.
Plastics Using a 125-mm Flame
NOTE 2—This specification is equivalent to the P/PF2 ignition source
specified in ISO 10093. D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20–mm (50–W) and
125–mm (500–W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Tests on Plastic Materials
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 2.2 ISO Standards:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical ISO 10093 Plastics—Fire Tests—Standard Ignition Sources
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
2.3 IEC Standards:
2. Referenced Documents
IEC 60695-11-3 Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-3: Test
2.1 ASTM Standards: Flames—50W Flames—Apparatus and Confirmational
C509 Specification for Elastomeric Cellular Preformed Gas- Test Methods
ket and Sealing Material IEC 60695-11-4 Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-4: Test
D229 Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Flames—500W Flames—Apparatus and Confirmational
Used for Electrical Insulation Test Methods
3. Terminology
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
3.1 Definitions—For terms relating to plastics, the defini-
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal
Properties. tions are in accordance with Terminology D883, and the
Current edition approved March 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally
abbreviations are in accordance with Terminology D1600. For
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D5025 - 20. DOI:
terms relating to fire, the definitions in this specification are in
10.1520/D5025-20A.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 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
D5025 − 20a
accordance with Terminology E176 and ISO 13943. In case of screwed into the base and the loc
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D5025 − 20 D5025 − 20a
Standard Specification for
Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on
Plastic Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5025; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers the physical dimensions and characteristics of a laboratory burner to be used as an ignition source
for small-scale burning tests on plastic materials. The burner is used with methane, propane, or butane supply gases for flame
heights of 20 to 125 mm.
1.2 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be
employed in conducting these tests.This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.
1.3 The burner described in this specification is suitable for use in the following ASTM standards: Specification C509, Test
Method D229, Test Method D635, Test Method D876, Test Method D3014, Test Method D3801, Test Method D4804, Test Method
D4986, and Test Method D5048. Safety hazards and known limitations on applicability of fire-test-response standards are
addressed in the individual test methods.
NOTE 1—This specification is equivalent to the ignition source specified in IEC 60695-11-3, Annex A and IEC 60695-11-4, Annex A.
NOTE 2—This specification is equivalent to the P/PF2 ignition source specified in ISO 10093.
1.4 This 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C509 Specification for Elastomeric Cellular Preformed Gasket and Sealing Material
D229 Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
D635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position
D876 Test Methods for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer Tubing Used for Electrical Insulation
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D3014 Test Method for Flame Height, Time of Burning, and Loss of Mass of Rigid Thermoset Cellular Plastics in a Vertical
Position
D3801 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
D4804 Test Method for Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics
D4986 Test Method for Horizontal Burning Characteristics of Cellular Polymeric Materials
D5048 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid Plastics
Using a 125-mm Flame
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20–mm (50–W) and 125–mm (500–W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on
Plastic Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 10093 Plastics—Fire Tests—Standard Ignition Sources
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
This specification 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 Feb. 1, 2020March 1, 2020. Published March 2020April 2020. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20122020 as
ɛ1
D5025 - 12D5025 - 20. . DOI: 10.1520/D5025-20.10.1520/D5025-20A.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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
D5025 − 20a
2.3 IEC Standards:
IEC TS 60695-11-3 Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-3: Test Flames—50W Flames—Apparatus and Confirmational Test Methods
IEC TS 60695-11-4 Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-4: Test Flames—500W Flames—Apparatus and Confirmational Test Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For terms relating to plastics, the definitions are in accordance with Terminology D883, and the abbreviations
are in accordance with Terminology D1600. For terms relating to
...