ASTM D3278-21
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
Standard Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Flash point measures the response of the test specimen to heat and ignition source under controlled laboratory conditions. It is only one of a number of properties that must be considered in assessing the overall flammability hazard of a material.
5.2 Flash point is used in shipping and safety regulations by governmental regulatory agencies to define flammable and combustible materials and to classify them. Consult the particular regulation involved for precise definitions of these classes.
5.3 Flash point can indicate the possible presence of highly volatile and flammable impurities or contaminants in a given liquid, such as the presence of residual solvents in solvent-refined drying oils.
5.4 These equilibrium flash point test methods use a smaller specimen (2 mL) and a shorter test time (1 min) than traditional non-equilibrium test methods such as Test Method D56 and Test Methods D93.
5.5 Test Methods D3828, Test Method D8174, and ISO 3679 are similar test methods and use the same apparatus.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining whether a material does or does not flash at a specified temperature (flash/no flash Method A) or for determining the lowest finite temperature at which a material does flash (Method B), when using a small scale closed-cup apparatus. The test methods are applicable to paints, enamels, lacquers, varnishes, solvents, and related products having a flash point between 0 °C and 110 °C (32 °F and 230 °F) and viscosity lower than 15 000 mm2/s (cSt) at 25 °C (77 °F).
Note 1: Tests at higher or lower temperatures are possible however the precision has not been determined.
Note 2: More viscous materials can be tested in accordance with Annex A4.
Note 3: Organic peroxides can be tested in accordance with Annex A5, which describes the applicable safety precautions.
Note 4: The U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA, Hazard Communications), the U.S. Department of Transportation (RSPA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have specified Test Methods D3278 as one of several acceptable methods for the determination of flash point of liquids in their regulations.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard is used to measure and describe 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.
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.
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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: D3278 − 21
Standard Test Methods for
Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup
1
Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3278; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
These small scale flash point methods test a sample at a specific temperature, where the specimen
being tested and the air-vapor mixture above it are close to thermal equilibrium.
Flash point values are a function of the apparatus design, the condition of the apparatus used, and
the operational procedure carried out. Flash point can therefore only be defined in terms of a standard
test method, and no general valid correlation can be guaranteed between results obtained by different
test methods, or with test apparatus different from that specified.
1. Scope under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate
all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
whether a material does or does not flash at a specified
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
temperature (flash/no flash Method A) or for determining the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
lowest finite temperature at which a material does flash
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(Method B), when using a small scale closed-cup apparatus.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
The test methods are applicable to paints, enamels, lacquers,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
varnishes, solvents, and related products having a flash point
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
between 0 °C and 110 °C (32 °F and 230 °F) and viscosity
2
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
lower than 15 000 mm /s (cSt) at 25 °C (77 °F).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
NOTE1—Testsathigherorlowertemperaturesarepossiblehoweverthe
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
precision has not been determined.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
NOTE 2—More viscous materials can be tested in accordance with
Annex A4. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
NOTE 3—Organic peroxides can be tested in accordance with Annex
A5, which describes the applicable safety precautions.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 4—The U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA, Hazard
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Communications),theU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(RSPA),andthe
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have specified Test Meth-
D56 Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Cup Tester
ods D3278 as one of several acceptable methods for the determination of
D93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
flash point of liquids in their regulations.
Closed Cup Tester
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D3828 Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
Cup Tester
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
D3925 Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related
Pigmented Coatings
1.3 This standard is used to measure and describe the
D6299 Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance
responseofmaterials,products,orassembliestoheatandflame
and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical
Measurement System Performance
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.21 on Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint
2
Materials. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 15, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D3278 – 20. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D3278-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D3278 − 21
D7236 Test Method for Flash Point b
...
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: D3278 − 20 D3278 − 21
Standard Test Methods for
Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup
1
Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3278; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
These small scale flash point methods test a sample at a specific temperature, where the specimen
being tested and the air-vapor mixture above it are close to thermal equilibrium.
Flash point values are a function of the apparatus design, the condition of the apparatus used, and
the operational procedure carried out. Flash point can therefore only be defined in terms of a standard
test method, and no general valid correlation can be guaranteed between results obtained by different
test methods, or with test apparatus different from that specified.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining whether a material does or does not flash at a specified temperature
(flash/no flash Method A) or for determining the lowest finite temperature at which a material does flash (Method B), when using
a small scale closed-cup apparatus. The test methods are applicable to paints, enamels, lacquers, varnishes, solvents, and related
products having a flash point between 00 °C and 110°C (32110 °C (32 °F and 230°F)230 °F) and viscosity lower than 150 St15 000
2
mm at 25°C (77°F). /s (cSt) at 25 °C (77 °F).
NOTE 1—Tests at higher or lower temperatures are possible.possible however the precision has not been determined.
NOTE 2—More viscous materials can be tested in accordance with Annex A4.
NOTE 3—Organic peroxides can be tested in accordance with Annex A5, which describes the applicable safety precautions.
NOTE 4—The U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA, Hazard Communications), the U.S. Department of Transportation (RSPA), and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) have specified Test Methods D3278 as one of several acceptable methods for the determination of flash point of liquids in their
regulations.
NOTE 2—More viscous materials may be tested in accordance with Annex A4.
NOTE 3—Organic peroxides may be tested in accordance with Annex A5, which describes the applicable safety precautions.
NOTE 4—The U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA, Hazard Communications), the U.S. Department of Transportation (RSPA), and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) have specified Test Methods D3278 as one of several acceptable methods for the determination of flash point of liquids in their
regulations.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.21 on Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials.
Current edition approved June 1, 2020June 15, 2021. Published June 2020August 2021. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20112020 as
D3278 – 96 (2011)D3278 – 20. which was withdrawn January 2020 and reinstated in June 2020. DOI: 10.1520/D3278-20.DOI: 10.1520/D3278-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3278 − 21
NOTE 5—These test methods are similar to International Standards ISO 3679 and ISO 3680.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.after
SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 This standard should be used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame
under controlled 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 the test may be used as elements of a fire-hazard or a fire-risk
assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard or fire risk of a
particular end use. This standard is used to measure and describe 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 fi
...
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