ASTM D7236-07(2013)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Cup Tester (Ramp Method)
Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Cup Tester (Ramp Method)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The flash point temperature is one measure of the tendency of the test specimen to form a flammable mixture with air 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 to define flammable and combustible materials and classify them. Consult the particular regulation involved for precise definitions of these classifications.
5.3 This test method can be used to measure and describe the properties of materials in response to heat and a test flame under controlled laboratory conditions and shall not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test method may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment, that takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash point of aviation turbine fuel, diesel fuel, kerosine and related products in the temperature range of 40 to 135°C by a small scale closed cup apparatus.
1.2 This test method is only applicable to homogeneous materials that are liquid at or near ambient temperature and at temperatures required to perform the test.
1.3 This test method is not applicable to liquids contaminated by traces of highly volatile materials.
1.4 This test method is a dynamic method and depends on a definite rate of temperature increase. It is one of many flash point methods available, and every flash point test method, including this one, is an empirical one.
1.5 If the user's specification requires a defined flash point method, neither this test nor any other method should be substituted for the prescribed method without obtaining comparative data and an agreement from the specifier.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7 and the Material Safety Data Sheet for the product being tested.
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Designation: D7236 − 07(Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Cup Tester (Ramp
1,2
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7236; 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 flash point test method is a dynamic test method and depends 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
precision quoted in the test method because of the low thermal conductivity of certain materials. The
use of an equilibrium method such as Test Methods D3828, Method B improves the prediction of
flammabilityforsuchmaterials,asthevaporsabovethetestspecimenandthetestspecimenarecloser
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 than that specified.
1. Scope 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash
standard.
point of aviation turbine fuel, diesel fuel, kerosine and related
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
products in the temperature range of 40 to 135°C by a small
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
scale closed cup apparatus.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This test method is only applicable to homogeneous priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
materials that are liquid at or near ambient temperature and at bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
temperatures required to perform the test. statements, see Section 7 and the Material Safety Data Sheet
for the product being tested.
1.3 This test method is not applicable to liquids contami-
nated by traces of highly volatile materials.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 This test method is a dynamic method and depends on a
D3828 Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed
definite rate of temperature increase. It is one of many flash
Cup Tester
point methods available, and every flash point test method,
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
including this one, is an empirical one.
Petroleum Products
1.5 If the user’s specification requires a defined flash point
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
method, neither this test nor any other method should be
Petroleum Products
substituted for the prescribed method without obtaining com-
D6299 Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance
parative data and an agreement from the specifier.
and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical
Measurement System Performance
D6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias
1 Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Lubricants
Subcommittee D02.08 on Volatility.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013. Published October 2013. Originally
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D7236 – 07. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D7236-07R13. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This test method is being jointly developed and harmonized with the Energy Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Institute. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7236 − 07 (2013)
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals test temperature when a flash is detected. The key parts and
dimensions are described in Annex A1 and illustrated in Fig.
2.2 ISO Standards:
A1.1.
ISO Guide 34 Quality Systems Guidelines for the Produc-
tion of Reference Materials
6.2 Syringe, 2 mL, adjusted to deliver 2.00 6 0.1 mL.
ISO Guide 35 Certification of Reference Material—General
6.3 Barometer, accurate to 0.5 kPa. Barometers pre-
and Statistical Principles
corrected to give sea level readings, such as those used at
weather stations and airports, shall not be used.
3. Terminology
NOTE1—Automaticbarometriccorrectioninaccordancewith12.2may
3.1 Definitions:
be installed in the apparatus.
3.1.1 flash point, n—lowest temperature corrected to a
6.4 Cooling Bath or Freezer, for cooling the samples, if
pressure of 101.3 kPa, at which application of a test flame
required, and capable of cooling the sample to at least 10°C
causes the vapors of a test specimen of the sample to ignite
below the expected flash point. If a freezer is used, it shall be
momentarily under the specified conditions of the test.
of explosion-protected design.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6.5 Draft Shield, a shield fitted at the back and on two sides
3.2.1 dynamic, adj—the condition where the vapor above
of the instrument, for use in circumstances where natural
the test specimen, and the test cup, are not in temperature
protection from drafts does not exist.
equilibrium at the time the test flame is applied.
NOTE 2—A shield 350-mm high, 480-mm wide, and 240-mm deep, is
suitable.
3.2.2 ramp method, n—in flash point methods, method that
has a test temperature increase at a set rate.
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Cleaning Solvent—Use only noncorrosive solvents ca-
4. Summary of Test Method
pableofcleaningthetestcupandlidassembly.Twocommonly
4.1 A 2 6 0.1 mL test specimen is introduced into the test
used solvents are toluene and acetone. (Warning—Toluene,
cup that is then heated automatically at a constant rate of 2 6
acetone and many solvents are flammable and a health hazard.
0.5°C/min. A gas test flame is directed through an opening
Dispose of solvents and waste material in accordance with
shutter, in the test cup lid, at specified temperature intervals
local regulations.)
until a flash is detected by the automatic flash detector. The
7.2 Butane or Natural Gas—For use as the pilot and test
flash is reported as defined in 3.1.1.
flame. (Warning—Butane and natural gases are flammable
5. Significance and Use
and a health hazard.)
5.1 The flash point temperature is one measure of the
8. Sampling
tendency of the test specimen to form a flammable mixture
8.1 Obtain at least a 25 mL sample from a bulk test site in
with air under controlled laboratory conditions. It is only one
accordance with Practices D4057, D4177, E300 or other
of a number of properties that must be considered in assessing
comparable sampling practices.
the overall flammability hazard of a material.
8.2 Store samples in clean, tightly sealed containers at
5.2 Flash point is used in shipping and safety regulations to
normal room temperature (20 to 25°C) or colder. Ensure that
define flammable and combustible materials and classify them.
the container is 85 to 95 % full.
Consult the particular regulation involved for precise defini-
tions of these classifications.
8.3 Do not store samples for an extended period of time in
gas permeable containers, such as plastic, because volatile
5.3 This test method can be used to measure and describe
material may diffuse through the walls of the container.
the properties of materials in response to heat and a test flame
Samples in leaky containers are suspect and not a source of
under controlled laboratory conditions and shall not be used to
valid results.
describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials
under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test
8.4 Erroneously high flash points can be obtained when
method may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment, that
precautionsarenottakentoavoidlossofvolatilematerials.Do
takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an
not open containers unnecessarily. Do not make a transfer
assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
unless the sample temperature is at least 10°C below the
expected flash point.Where possible perform the flash point as
6. Apparatus
the first test on the sample.
6.1 Flash Point Apparatus—The apparatus consists of an
8.5 Samples containing dissolved or free water may be
electrically heated test cup that is controlled automatically to
dehydrated with calcium chloride. Warming the sample is
give a temperature increase of 2.0 6 0.5°C/min, a lid and
permitted, but do not heat the sample above a temperature of
shutter assembly, a pilot and test flame, an automatic flash
10°C below its expected flash point. (Warning—If the sample
detector and a temperature display that displays and holds the
is expected of containing volatile components, the treatment as
described in 8.5 should be omitted.)
8.6 Cool or adjust the temperature of the sample and its
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. containertoatleast10°Cbelowtheexpectedflashpointbefore
D7236 − 07 (2013)
opening to remove the test specimen. If an aliquot of the 11.3 Carefully transfer the syringe to the filler orifice and
original sample is to be stored prior to testing, ensure that the dischargethetestspecimenintothetestcupbyfullydepressing
container is filled to between 85 and 95 % of its capacity. the syringe plunger. Remove the syringe.
Gently mix the subsample to ensure uniformity while mini-
11.4 Ignite the pilot and test flames.Adjust the test flame to
mizing the possible loss of volatile components and light ends.
conform to the size of the 4 mm gauge ring. Reset the flash
NOTE 3—Results of flash point tests may be affected if the sample
detector (A1.9). Start the test.
volume falls below 85 % of the container’s capacity.
NOTE 8—The ignition of the test flame and control of the gas supply
9. Preparation of Apparatus may be automated on some instruments.
11.5 The test cup is heated automatically at such a rate that
9.1 Support the apparatus (AnnexA1) on a level and steady
surface in a draft-free position (see Notes 4 and 5). the temperature, as indicated by the temperature sensor, in-
NOTE 4—A draft shield (6.5) is recommended to be used when natural creases by 1.5 to 2.5°C/min. The test flame is dipped into the
protection from drafts does not exist.
test cup, as the shutter is slowly and uniformly opened and
NOTE 5—When testing materials that may produce toxic vapors, the
closed overa2to3-s period, at 1°C intervals for temperatures
apparatus may be located in a fume hood with an individual control of air
up to and including 100°C and thereafter every 2°C for
flow, adjusted such that the toxic vapors can be withdrawn without
temperatures over 100°C.
causing air currents around the test cup during the test.
11.5.1 Observethefirsttwodipsoftheflameforcontinuous
9.2 Clean the test cup, cover, and its accessories with an
burning in the orifice. If a continuous luminous flame burns in
appropriate solvent (7.1) to remove traces of gum or residue
the orifice when the slide is opened and the test flame is
from the previous test.
introduced, then the flash point lies considerably below the test
NOTE6—Astreamofcleandryairmaybeusedtoremovethelasttraces
of solvent used. temperature. In such cases, discontinue the test and repeat the
NOTE 7—The filler orifice may be cleaned with a pipe cleaner.
test with a fresh test specimen using a lower expected flash
point.
10. Verification of Apparatus
11.5.2 Applicationofthetestflamemaycauseabluehaloor
10.1 Verify that the temperature measuring device is in
an enlarged flame prior to the actual flash point. This is not a
accordance with A1.7.
flash and shall be ignored by the flash detector.
10.2 Verify the performance of the apparatus at least once
11.6 Record the displayed and held temperature of the
peryearbydeterminingtheflashpointofaCertifiedReference
temperature sensor when the application of the test flame
Material(CRM)thathasacertifiedflashpointreasonablyclose
causes a flash to be automatically detected.
to the expected range of the samples to be tested. Examples of
11.7 Recordtheambientbarometricpressureusingabarom-
materials that may be used to create CRMs are listed in
eter (6.3) in the vicinity of the apparatus at the time of the test.
Appendix X1. The flash point shall be determined using the
NOTE 9—It is not considered necessary to correct the barometric
procedures stated in Section 11. Appendix X1 indicates typical
pressure reading to 0°C, although some barometers are designed to make
limits in Table X1.1 for a typical CRM and shows how to
this correction automatically.
calculate limits for an unlisted CRM.
11.8 When the temperature at which the flash is observed is
10.3 Once the performance of the apparatus has been
less than 10°C or greater than 30°C from the start temperature
verified using a CRM, the flash point of Secondary Working
of the test, the result is not valid. Repeat the test using a fresh
Standards (SWS) can be determined along with their control
test specimen adjusting the temperature of the first application
limits. These SWS can then be utilized for more frequent
of the test flame until a valid determination is made.
performance checks. (See Appendix X1.)
10.4 When the flash point obtained is not within the limits
12. Calculation
stated in 10.2 or 10.3 check the condition and operation of the
12.1 Barometric Pressure Conversion—If the barometric
apparatus to ensure conformance to the details listed in Annex
pressure reading is measured in a unit other than kilopascals,
A1, especially with regard to the action of the shutter, the
convert to kilopascals using one of the following equations:
position and size of the test flame, the heating rate and the
temperature sensor readings. After any adjustment, repeat the Reading in hPa 30.1 5 kPa (1)
test in 10.2 or 10.3 using a fresh test specimen, with special
Reading in mbar 30.1 5 kPa (2)
attentiontotheproceduraldetailsprescribedinthetestmethod.
Reading in mmHg 30.1333 5 kPa (3)
11. Procedure
12.2 Correction of Detected Flash Point to Standard Atmo-
spheric Pressure—Calculate the flash point corrected to a
11.1 Set the test cup temperature to 15 6 5°C below the
standard atmospheric pressure of 101.3 kPa, T , using the
expected flash point temperature.
c
following equation
...
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