ASTM D2863-08
(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
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.
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).
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, 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.
1.8 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. Specific hazards statement are given in Section 10.
Note 2—This test method and ISO 4589-2 are technically equivalent when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1, with direct oxygen concentration measurement.
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions Test Specimen TypeADimensionsMaterial Form Length,
mmWidth,
mmThickness, mm I80 to 15010 ± 0.54 ± 0.25for molding materials II80 to 15010 ± 0.510 ± 0.5for cellular materials IIIB80 to 15010 ± 0.5≤ 10.5for sheet materials IVC70 to 1506.5 ± 0.53 ± 0.25alternative size for
self-supporting molding
or sheet materials VB140 ± 552 ± 0.5≤10.5for flexible film or sheet VIBD140 to 200200.02 to 0.10for 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...
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Designation:D2863–08
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
1
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.
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO4589-2 are technically equivalent
1. Scope*
when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1,
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure
with direct oxygen concentration measurement.
for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, ex-
pressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming
2. Referenced Documents
combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures.
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B in-
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
volves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short
eous Fuel Samples
procedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimum
D1622 TestMethodforApparentDensityofRigidCellular
value of the oxygen index.
Plastics
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared
D 4802 Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)
into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
Acrylic Plastic Sheet
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
structurallyself-supportingintheformofverticalbarsorsheet
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater 3
2.2 ISO Standards:
3
than 15 kg/m .
ISO 4589-2 Plastics—Determination of Flammability by
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet
Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
or film materials, while supported vertically.
ISO 7823-1 Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Sheets—Types, Di-
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for
mensions and Characteristics—Part 1—Cast Sheets
cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
3
kg/m .
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for
testingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeen 3.1 Definitions
determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method refer
conditions outside those recommended herein.
to the terminology contained in Terminology E176 and
ISO13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given in Termi-
1.7 Thistestmethodmeasuresanddescribestheresponseof
nology E176 shall prevail.
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
3.2 Definitions: Definitions Specific to This Standard:
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
3.2.1 ignition—the initiation of combustion.
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
3.2.2 oxygen index (OI)—the minimum concentration of
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
oxygendeterminedbythemethodin12.1,expressedasvolume
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
percent, in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
support flaming combustion of a material initially at 23 6 2°C
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
under the conditions of this test method.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards
statement are given in Section 10.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D2863-06a. 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 Con
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D2863–06a Designation:D2863–08
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
1
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.
1. 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
propagatingignition,andProcedureCisashortprocedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimumvalueoftheoxygen
index.
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
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
3
kg/m .
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet or film materials, while supported vertically.
3
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15 kg/m .
NOTE 1—Althoughthistestmethodhasbeenfoundapplicablefortestingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeendetermined
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, 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.
1.8 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. Specific hazards statement are given in Section 10.
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO 4589-2 are technically equivalent when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1, with
direct oxygen concentration measurement.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gaseous Fuel Samples
D1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics
D4802 Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Acrylic Plastic Sheet
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 4589-2 Plastics—Determination of Flammability by Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
ISO 7823-1 Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Sheets—Types, Dimensions and Characteristics—Part 1—Cast Sheets
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
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 March 15, 2006.Aug. 1, 2008. Published March 2006.September 2008. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as
D2863-06a.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 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.
1
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D2863–08
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions
Dimensions
Test
Specimen Material Form
Length, Width, Thickness,
A
Type
mm mm mm
I 80 to 150 10 6 0.5 4 6 0.25 for molding materials
II 80 to 1
...
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