ASTM E659-15(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Chemicals
Standard Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Chemicals
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Autoignition, by its very nature, is dependent on the chemical and physical properties of the material and the method and apparatus employed for its determination. The autoignition temperature by a given method does not necessarily represent the minimum temperature at which a given material will self-ignite in air. The volume of the vessel used is particularly important since lower autoignition temperatures will be achieved in larger vessels. (See Appendix X2.) Vessel material can also be an important factor.
5.2 The temperatures determined by this test method are those at which air oxidation leads to ignition. These temperatures can be expected to vary with the test pressure and oxygen concentration.
5.3 This test method is not designed for evaluating materials which are capable of exothermic decomposition. For such materials, ignition is dependent upon the thermal and kinetic properties of the decomposition, the mass of the sample, and the heat transfer characteristics of the system.
5.4 This test method can be employed for solid chemicals which melt and vaporize or which readily sublime at the test temperature. No condensed phase, liquid or solid, should be present when ignition occurs.
5.5 This test method is not designed to measure the autoignition temperature of materials which are solids or liquids at the test temperature (for example, wood, paper, cotton, plastics, and high-boiling point chemicals). Such materials will thermally degrade in the flask and the accumulated degradation products may ignite.
5.6 This test method can be used, with appropriate modifications, for chemicals that are gaseous at atmospheric temperature and pressure.
5.7 This test method was developed primarily for liquid chemicals but has been employed to test readily vaporized solids. Responsibility for extension of this test method to solids of unknown thermal stability, boiling point, or degradation characteristics rests with the operator.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of hot- and cool-flame autoignition temperatures of a liquid chemical in air at atmospheric pressure in a uniformly heated vessel.
Note 1: Within certain limitations, this test method can also be used to determine the autoignition temperature of solid chemicals which readily melt and vaporize at temperatures below the test temperature and for chemicals that are gaseous at atmospheric pressure and temperature.
Note 2: After a round robin study, Test Method D2155 was discontinued, and replaced by Test Method E659 in 1978. See also Appendix X2.
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, 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.
1.3 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
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: E659 − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
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Autoignition Temperature of Chemicals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E659; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is one of several methods developed by ASTM Committee E27 for determining
the hazards of chemicals. It is designed to be used in conjunction with other tests to characterize the
hazard potential of the chemical under test.
1. Scope D2155 Test Method for Determination of Fire Resistance of
Aircraft Hydraulic Fluids by Autoignition Temperature
1.1 This test method covers the determination of hot- and
D2883 Test Method for Reaction Threshold Temperature of
cool-flame autoignition temperatures of a liquid chemical in air
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Liquid and Solid Materials (Withdrawn 2016)
at atmospheric pressure in a uniformly heated vessel.
E659 Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Chemi-
NOTE 1—Within certain limitations, this test method can also be used to
cals
determine the autoignition temperature of solid chemicals which readily
melt and vaporize at temperatures below the test temperature and for
3. Terminology
chemicals that are gaseous at atmospheric pressure and temperature.
NOTE 2—After a round robin study, Test Method D2155 was
3.1 Definitions:
discontinued, and replaced by Test Method E659 in 1978. See also
3.1.1 ignition, n—the initiation of combustion.
Appendix X2.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Ignition, which is subjective, is defined
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe
for this test method as the appearance of a flame accompanied
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
by a sharp rise in the temperature of the gas mixture. The
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
determination is made in total darkness because some flames,
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
such as cool-flames, are observed with difficulty.
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
3.1.2 autoignition, n—the ignition of a material commonly
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
in air as the result of heat liberation due to an exothermic
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
oxidation reaction in the absence of an external ignition source
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
such as a spark or flame.
hazard of a particular end use.
3.1.3 autoignition temperature, n—the minimum tempera-
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
ture at which autoignition occurs under the specified conditions
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of test.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Autoignition temperature is also re-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ferred to as spontaneous ignition temperature, self-ignition
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
temperature, autogenous ignition temperature, and by the
acronyms AIT and SIT. As determined by this test method, AIT
2. Referenced Documents
is the lowest temperature at which the substance will produce
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
hot-flame ignition in air at atmospheric pressure without the aid
of an external energy source such as spark or flame. It is the
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard
lowest temperature to which a combustible mixture must be
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on
raised, so that the rate of heat evolved by the exothermic
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
oxidation reaction will over-balance the rate at which heat is
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
lost to the surroundings and cause ignition.
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E659 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/E0659-15R23.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
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