ASTM D2863-10
(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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.9 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.
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Designation:D2863–10
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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards
for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, ex-
statement are given in Section 10.
pressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures.
conducting these tests.
Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B in-
volves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO4589-2 are technically equivalent
procedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimum when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1,
with direct oxygen concentration measurement.
value of the oxygen index.
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared
2. Referenced Documents
into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
structurallyself-supportingintheformofverticalbarsorsheet
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or
eous Fuel Samples
cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater
3
D1622 Test Method forApparent Density of Rigid Cellular
than 15 kg/m .
Plastics
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet
D4802 SpecificationforPoly(MethylMethacrylate)Acrylic
or film materials, while supported vertically.
Plastic Sheet
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15
3
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
kg/m .
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
testingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeen
ISO 4589-2 Plastics—Determination of Flammability by
determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test
Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
conditions outside those recommended herein.
ISO 7823-1 Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Sheets—Types, Di-
1.7 Thistestmethodmeasuresanddescribestheresponseof
mensions and Characteristics—Part 1—Cast Sheets
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
3. Terminology
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
3.1 Definitions
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method refer
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
to the terminology contained in Terminology E176 and
standard.
ISO13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given in Termi-
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
nology E176 shall prevail.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
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 Aug. 1, 2010. Published August 2010. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D2863-09. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D2863-10. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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D2863–10
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions
3.3.5 X—
...
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:D2863–09 Designation:D2863–10
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
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.9 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.
1.9
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting
these tests.
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
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 Sept.Aug. 1, 2009.2010. Published September 2009.August 2010. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20082009 as
D2863-089. DOI: 10.1520/D2863-109.
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.
*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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D2863–10
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 150 10 6 0.5 10 6 0.5 for cellular materials
B
III 80 to 150 10 6 0.5 # 10.5 for sheet m
...
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