ASTM E659-15

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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2015
• ICS: 71.080.01 - Organic chemicals in general
• Technical Committee: E27 - Hazard Potential of Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: E27.04 - Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E659 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of hot- and 3.1 Definitions:
cool-flame autoignition temperatures of a liquid chemical in air 3.1.1 ignition, n—the initiation of combustion.
at atmospheric pressure in a uniformly heated vessel.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Ignition, which is subjective, is defined
for this test method as the appearance of a flame accompanied
NOTE 1—Within certain limitations, this test method can also be used to
by a sharp rise in the temperature of the gas mixture. The
determine the autoignition temperature of solid chemicals which readily
melt and vaporize at temperatures below the test temperature and for
determination is made in total darkness because some flames,
chemicals that are gaseous at atmospheric pressure and temperature.
such as cool-flames, are observed with difficulty.
NOTE 2—After a round robin study, Test Method D2155 was
3.1.2 autoignition, n—the ignition of a material commonly
discontinued, and replaced by Test Method E659 in 1978. See also
Appendix X2.
in air as the result of heat liberation due to an exothermic
oxidation reaction in the absence of an external ignition source
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe
such as a spark or flame.
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
3.1.3 autoignition temperature, n—the minimum tempera-
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
ture at which autoignition occurs under the specified conditions
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
of test.
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Autoignition temperature is also re-
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
ferred to as spontaneous ignition temperature, self-ignition
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
temperature, autogenous ignition temperature, and by the
hazard of a particular end use.
acronyms AIT and SIT. As determined by this test method, AIT
2. Referenced Documents
is the lowest temperature at which the substance will produce
2
hot-flame ignition in air at atmospheric pressure without the aid
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of an external energy source such as spark or flame. It is the
D2155 Test Method for Determination of Fire Resistance of
lowest temperature to which a combustible mixture must be
Aircraft Hydraulic Fluids by Autoignition Temperature
raised, so that the rate of heat evolved by the exothermic
D2883 Test Method for Reaction Threshold Temperature of
oxidation reaction will over-balance the rate at which heat is
Liquid and Solid Materials
lost to the surroundings and cause ignition.
E659 Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Liquid
3.1.4 cool-flame, n—a faint, pale blue luminescence or
Chemicals
flame occurring below the autoignition temperature (AIT).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard 3.1.4.1 Discussion—Cool-flames occur in rich vapor-air
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on
mixtures of most hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons.
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
They are the first part of the multistage ignition process.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015. Published September 2015. Originally
3.1.5 ignition delay time, n—the time lapse between appli-
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E659 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/E0659-15.
cation of heat to a material and its ignition. It is the time in
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
seconds between insertion of the sample into the flask and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ignition. It is maximum at the minimum autoignition tempera-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. ture and also referred to as ignition lag.
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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: E659 − 14 E659 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Autoignition Temperature of Liquid 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
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2155 Test Method for Determination of Fire Resistance of Aircraft Hydraulic Fluids by Autoignition Temperature
D2883 Test Method for Reaction Threshold Temperature of Liquid and Solid Materials
E659 Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Chemicals
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 ignition, n—the initiation of combustion.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2014Sept. 1, 2015. Published February 2014September 2015. Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 20132014
as E659 – 13.E659 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/E0659-14.10.1520/E0659-15.
2
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.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
Ignition, which is subjective, is defined for this test method as the appearance of a flame accompanied by a sharp rise in the
temperature of the gas mixture. The determination is made in total darkness because some flames, such as cool-flames, are
observed with difficulty.
3.1.2 autoignition, n—the ignition of a material commonly in air as the result of heat liberation due to an exothermic oxidation
reaction in the absence of an external ignition source such as a spark or flame.
3.1.3 autoignition temperature, n—the minimum temperature at which autoignition occurs under the specified conditions of test.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E659 − 15
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
Autoignition temperature is also referred to as spontaneous ignition temperature, self-ignition temperature, autogenous ignition
temperature, and by the acronyms AIT and SIT. As determined by this test method, AIT is the lowest temperature at which the
substance will produce hot-flame ignition in air at atmospheric pressure without the aid of an external energy source such as spark
or flame. It is the lowest temperature to which a combustible mixture must be raised, so that the rate of heat evolved by the
exothermic oxidation reaction will over-balance the rate at which heat is lost to the surroundings and cause ignition.
3.1.4 cool-flame, n—a faint, pale blue luminescence or flame occurring below the autoignition temperature (AIT).
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
Cool-flames occur in rich vapor-air mixtures of most hydrocarbons and oxy
...