ASTM D2863-12e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides for the measuring of the minimum concentration of oxygen in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just support flaming combustion of plastics. Correlation with burning characteristics under actual use conditions is not implied.
5.2 In this test method, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire-test-exposure conditions described in this test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, expressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures. Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B involves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short procedure involving the comparison with a specified minimum value of the oxygen index.
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1). TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions
Test Specimen TypeA
Dimensions
Material Form
Length,
mm
Width,
mm
Thickness, mm
I
80 to 150
10 ± 0.5
4 ± 0.25
for molding materials
II
80 to 150
10 ± 0.5
10 ± 0.5
for cellular materials
IIIB
80 to 150
10 ± 0.5
≤ 10.5
for sheet materials
IVC
70 to 150
6.5 ± 0.5
3 ± 0.25
alternative size for
self-supporting molding
or sheet materials
VB
140 ± 5
52 ± 0.5
≤10.5
for flexible film or sheet
VIBD
140 to 200
20
0.02 to 0.10
for thin film; limited to film
that can be rolled by the
wire specified in 6.7 A Test specimens of Types I, II, III, and IV are suitable for materials that are self-supporting at these dimensions. Test specimens of Form V and VI are suitable for materials that require support during testing. Test specimens of Form VI are suitable for film materials that can be rolled into a self-supporting specimen by the procedure in 7.4.B Compare results obtained using Type III, V, and VI test specimens only to those obtained using specimens of the same form and thickness. It is assumed that the amount of variation in thickness for such materials will be controlled by other standards.C The Type IV (ASTM) specimen will eventually be discontinued in favor of the Type 1 (ISO) specimen.D The test specimen of Type VI is suitable for thin film that is self-supporting when it is rolled (see 7.4). Dimensions in the table are of the specimen size from which the rolled form is made. If the film is very thin, it is possible that proper results will only be obtained if two or more layers are combined in the preparation of the roll to obtain proper results.
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are structurally self-supporting in the form of vertical bars or sheet up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater than 15 kg/m3.
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet or film materials, while supported vertically.
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15 kg/m3.Note 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for testing some other materials, the precision of the test method has not been determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test conditions outside those recommended herein.
1.7 This test method measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions...
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Designation: D2863 − 12
StandardTest Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
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Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2863; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 Department of Defense.
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ε NOTE—Editorially corrected table reference in subsection 7.1.4 in December 2012.
1. Scope* 1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure
standard.
for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, ex-
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B in-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards
volves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short
statement are given in Section 10.
procedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimum
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
value of the oxygen index.
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared conducting these tests.
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO 4589-2 are technically equivalent
into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1,
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are
with direct oxygen concentration measurement.
structurallyself-supportingintheformofverticalbarsorsheet
2. Referenced Documents
up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or
2
cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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than 15 kg/m .
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1071Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet
eous Fuel Samples
or film materials, while supported vertically.
D1622Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for
Plastics
cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15
D4802Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Acrylic
3
kg/m .
Plastic Sheet
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
testingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeen
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
conditions outside those recommended herein.
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2.2 ISO Standards:
1.7 Thistestmethodmeasuresanddescribestheresponseof
ISO 4589-2Plastics—Determination of Flammability by
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
ISO 7823-1Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Sheets—Types, Di-
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
mensions and Characteristics—Part 1—Cast Sheets
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2012. Published May 2012. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D2863-10. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D2863-12E01. 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
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D2863 − 12
A
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions TABLE 2 Criteria for Oxygen Index Measurements
Alternative Criteria
Dimensions
Test
Period of
Specimen Material
...
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