ASTM D5048-20a

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid Plastics Using a 125-mm Flame

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The test results present afterflame plus afterglow times, in seconds, for a material under the conditions of the test. The test results for plaques also indicate whether or not the specified flame will burn through a material.  
5.2 The test is capable of assessing the effects of material thickness, colors, additives, deterioration, and possible loss of volatile components on afterflame and afterglow.  
5.3 The burning characteristics is found to vary with thickness. Test data shall be compared only with data for material of the same thickness.  
5.4 The results serve as a reference for comparing the relative performance of materials and can be an aid in material selection.  
5.5 In this test method, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it will not always be possible by or from this test method 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 contains a test method for small-scale laboratory procedures to be used to determine the relative burning characteristics and the resistance to burn-through of plastics using small bar and plaque specimens exposed to a 125-mm (500-W nominal) flame.  
1.1.1 Use Test Method D3801 for assessing comparative burning characteristics of solid plastics in a vertical position.
Note 1: This test method is equivalent to IEC 60695-11-20 and UL 94 (Section 9).  
1.2 The results are intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their acceptability with respect to flammability for a particular application. The final acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use in the end-product that conforms with the standards applicable to such end-product.  
1.3 The classification system described in Appendix X1 is intended for quality assurance and the preselection of component materials for products.  
1.4 If found to be appropriate, it is suitable to apply the requirements to other nonmetallic materials. Such application is outside the scope of this technical committee.  
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.  
1.6 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 hazards or fire risk assessment of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  See 6.1.1 for a specific hazard statement.  
1.8 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2020
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.30 - Thermal Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D5025-20 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5025-20a - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020

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: D5048 − 20a
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics and
Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid Plastics Using a
1
125-mm Flame
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5048; 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.
1. Scope* priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This fire-test-response standard contains a test method
See 6.1.1 for a specific hazard statement.
for small-scale laboratory procedures to be used to determine
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
the relative burning characteristics and the resistance to burn-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
through of plastics using small bar and plaque specimens
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
exposed to a 125-mm (500-W nominal) flame.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1.1 Use Test Method D3801 for assessing comparative
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
burning characteristics of solid plastics in a vertical position.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
NOTE 1—This test method is equivalent to IEC 60695-11-20 and UL 94
(Section 9).
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 The results are intended to serve as a preliminary
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
indicationoftheiracceptabilitywithrespecttoflammabilityfor
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
a particular application. The final acceptance of the material is
D3801 TestMethodforMeasuringtheComparativeBurning
dependent upon its use in the end-product that conforms with
Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
the standards applicable to such end-product.
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-
1.3 The classification system described in Appendix X1 is
Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
intended for quality assurance and the preselection of compo-
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20–mm (50–W) and
nent materials for products.
125–mm (500–W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning
Tests on Plastic Materials
1.4 If found to be appropriate, it is suitable to apply the
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
requirements to other nonmetallic materials. Such application
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
is outside the scope of this technical committee.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
E2935 Practice for Conducting Equivalence Tests for Com-
conducting these tests.
paring Testing Processes
1.6 This standard is used to measure and describe the
3
2.2 IEC Standard:
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
IEC 60695-11-20 Fire Hazard Testing-Part 11-20: Test
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
Flames - 500 W Flame Test Methods
incorporate all factors required for fire hazards or fire risk
4
2.3 ISO Standards:
assessment of materials, products, or assemblies under actual
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
fire conditions.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
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.
1 3
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics Publications of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties. available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D5048 – 20. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D5048-20A. 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. Un
...

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: D5048 − 20 D5048 − 20a
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics and
Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid Plastics Using a
1
125-mm Flame
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5048; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This fire-test-response standard contains a test method for small-scale laboratory procedures to be used to determine the
relative burning characteristics and the resistance to burn-through of plastics using small bar and plaque specimens exposed to a
125-mm (500-W nominal) flame.
1.1.1 Use Test Method D3801 for assessing comparative burning characteristics of solid plastics in a vertical position.
NOTE 1—This test method is equivalent to IEC 60695-11-20 and UL 94 (Section 9).
1.2 The results are intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their acceptability with respect to flammability for a particular
application. The final acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use in the end-product that conforms with the standards
applicable to such end-product.
1.3 The classification system described in Appendix X1 is intended for quality assurance and the preselection of component
materials for products.
1.4 If found to be appropriate, it is suitable to apply the requirements to other nonmetallic materials. Such application is outside
the scope of this technical committee.
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.6 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 hazards or fire risk assessment of materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. See 6.1.1 for a specific hazard statement.
1.8 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2020Sept. 1, 2020. Published March 2020September 2020. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20192020
as D5048 – 19.D5048 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/D5048-20.10.1520/D5048-20A.
*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
1

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D5048 − 20a
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D3801 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20–mm (50–W) and 125–mm (500–W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on
Plastic Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E2935 Practice for Conducting Equivalence Tests for Comparing Testing Processes
3
2.2 IEC Standard:
IEC 60695-11-20 Fire Hazard Testing-Part 11-20: Test Flames - 500 W Flame Test Methods
4
2.3 ISO Standards:
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
5
2.4 UL Standards:
UL 94 Standard for Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to plastics, the definitions in this test method are in accordance with Terminology
D883. For terms relating to fire, the definition
...