ASTM D3801-96e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers a small-scale laboratory procedure for determining comparative burning characteristics of solid-plastic material, using a 20-mm flame applied to the base of specimens held in a vertical position.
Note 1--This test method and Test Method B of IEC 60695-11-10 are equivalent. IEC 60695-11-10 has replaced ISO 1210.
Note 2--For additional information on materials that burn up to the holding clamp by this test method, see Test Method D635. For test methods of flexible plastics in the form of thin sheets and film, see Test Methods D4804. For additional information on comparative burning characteristics and resistance to burn-through, see Test Method D5048.
1.2 This test method was developed for polymeric materials used for parts in devices and appliances. 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 complete equipment that conforms with the standards applicable to such equipment.
1.3 The classification system described in the appendix is intended for quality assurance and the preselection of component materials for products.
1.4 It is possible that this test is applicable to nonmetallic materials other than plastics. Such application is outside the scope of this technical committee.
1.5 This test method is not intended to cover plastics when used as materials for building construction or finishing.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.7 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 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. See 9.1.1 for a specific hazard statement.
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e1
Designation: D 3801 – 96
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid
Plastics in a Vertical Position
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3801; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Tables 1-3 were corrected editorially in March 1998.
1. Scope materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
However, results of this test may be used as elements of a
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers a small-scale
fire-hazard assessment or a fire-risk assessment which takes
laboratory procedure for determining comparative burning
into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an
characteristics of solid-plastic material, using a 20-mm flame
assessment of the fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.
applied to the base of specimens held in a vertical position.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NOTE 1—This test method, Clause 9 of IEC 707, and Method B of ISO
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1210-1991 are technically equivalent.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
NOTE 2—For additional information on materials that burn up to the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
holding clamp by this test method, see Test Method D 635. For test
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See 10.1.1 for a
methods of flexible plastics in the form of thin sheets and film, see Test
Methods D 4804. For additional information on comparative burning specific hazard statement.
characteristics and resistance to burn-through, see Test Method D 5048.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 3—See Test Method D 3713 which, unless otherwise specified,
uses the same specimens for determining the comparative resistance of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
solid plastics to ignition by a small flame.
D 635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and
1.2 This test method was developed for polymeric materials
Time of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizon-
used for parts in devices and appliances. The results are
tal Position
intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their accept-
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
ability with respect to flammability for a particular application.
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
The final acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use
D 3713 Test Method for Measuring Response of Solid
in complete equipment that conforms with the standards
Plastics to Ignition by a Small Flame
applicable to such equipment.
D 4804 Test Methods for Determining the Flammability
1.3 The classification system described in the appendix is
Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics
intended for quality assurance and the preselection of compo-
D 5025 Specification for a Laboratory Burner Used for
nent materials for products.
Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
1.4 This test method may be applied to other nonmetallic
D 5048 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burn-
materials if found to be appropriate.
ing Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of
1.5 This test method is not intended to cover plastics when
Solid Plastics Using a 125-mm Flame
used as materials for building construction or finishing.
D 5207 Practice for Calibration of 20 and 125-mm Test
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materi-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
als
only.
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
1.7 This standard should be used to measure and describe
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be
2.2 IEC Standard:
used to describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
(Section D20.30.03). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Current edition approved July 10, 1996. Published September 1996. Originally Publications of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and
published as D 3801 – 87. Last previous edition D 3801 – 95. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are available from ANSI, 11 W.
In 1996, the precision and bias statement was updated to include polyamide. 42nd St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
D 3801
707 Methods of Test for the Determination of the Flamma- volume of at least 0.5 m . An enclosed laboratory hood with a
bility of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials When Ex- heat-resistant glass window and an exhaust fan for removing
posed to an Igniting Source the products of combustion after the tests is recommended.
2.3 ISO Standard:
NOTE 4—Laboratory hoods may have induced drafts even with the
ISO 1210-1991 Plastics—Determination of the Burning Be-
exhaust fan off. A positive-closing damper may be needed.
haviour of Horizontal and Vertical Specimens in Contact
NOTE 5—A mirror in the chamber, to provide a rear view of the
with a Small-Flame Ignition Source
specimen, has been found useful in some enclosures.
6.2 Laboratory Burner, constructed in accordance with
3. Terminology
Specification D 5025.
3.1 Definitions—For terms relating to plastics, the defini-
6.3 Ring Stand, with a clamp or the equivalent, adjustable
tions in this test method are in accordance with Terminology
for vertical positioning of specimens.
D 883. For terms relating to fire, the definitions used in this test
6.4 Gas Supply, a supply of technical-grade methane gas
method are in accordance with Terminology E 176.
with suitable regulator and meter for uniform gas flow. Natural
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
gas having an energy density of approximately 37 MJ/m has
3.2.1 afterflame—persistence of flaming of a material, after
been found to provide similar results. However, technical-
the ignition source has been removed.
grade methane gas shall be used as the referee gas in cases of
3.2.2 afterflame time—the length of time for which a
dispute.
material continues to flame, under specified conditions, after
6.5 Timing Device, accurate to 0.5 s.
the ignition source has been removed.
6.6 Cotton, absorbent 100 % cotton.
3.2.3 afterglow—persistence of glowing of a material, after
6.7 Desiccator, containing anhydrous calcium chloride or
cessation of flaming or, if no flaming occurs, after removal of
other drying agent, capable of being maintained at 23 6 2°C
the ignition source.
and relative humidity not exceeding 20 %.
3.2.4 afterglow time—the length of time for which a mate-
6.8 Conditioning Room or Chamber, capable of being
rial continues to glow under specified test conditions, after the
maintained at 23 6 2°C and a relative humidity of 50 6 5%.
ignition source has been removed or cessation of flaming, or
6.9 Conditioning Oven, a full-draft circulating-air oven
both.
capable of being maintained at 70 6 1°C.
3.2.5 flame-impingement time—the time in seconds that the
flame from the burner is in contact with the specimen.
7. Sampling
3.2.6 flaming material—flaming drips or particles from the
7.1 Unless otherwise agreed upon, material shall be
specimen that ignite the absorbent 100 % cotton.
sampled in accordance with the General and Specific Sampling
4. Summary of Test Method
Procedures of Practice D 1898.
4.1 The procedure consists of subjecting a set of specimens
8. Test Specimens
of identical composition and geometry to a standard test flame
for two 10-s flame applications. The afterflame time is recorded
8.1 The standard specimen geometry shall be 13.0 6 0.5 by
after the first flame application, and the afterflame and after-
125 6 5 mm in the thickness appropriate to the objectives of
glow times are recorded after the second flame application.
the determination. Materials thicker than 13 mm shall not be
Information is also recorded on whether or not flaming material
tested by this test method.
drips from the specimen.
8.2 Surfaces must be smooth and unbroken. Corner radius
shall not exceed 1.3 mm. After any cutting operation, edges
5. Significance and Use
must be fine-sanded to remove burrs, saw marks, and residual
5.1 The tests results represent afterflame and afterglow time
filaments.
in seconds for a material of specified shape, under the
conditions of this test method.
9. Conditioning
5.2 The effect of material thickness, color additives, and
9.1 Condition specimen sets as follows:
possible loss of volatile components is measurable.
9.1.1 Condition one set of five specimens for at least 48 h at
5.3 The results, when tabulated, serve as a reference for
a temperature of 23 6 2°C and a relative humidity of 5065%
comparing the relative performance of materials and can be an
prior to testing.
aid in material selection.
9.1.2 Condition a second set of five specimens in a
5.4 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or
circulating-air oven for 168 h at 70 6 1°C and then cool in a
more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test
desiccator for at least4hat room temperature prior to testing.
conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are
Once removed from the desiccator, specimens shall be tested
changed, it may not be possible by or from this test method to
within 30 min.
predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics mea-
9.2 All specimens shall be tested in a laboratory atmosphere
sured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire-test-
of 15 to 35°C and 45 to 75 % relative humidity.
exposure conditions described in this test method.
6. Apparatus 10. Procedure
6.1 Test Chamber, enclosed laboratory hood or chamber, 10.1 Conduct the burning test in a chamber, enclosure, or
free of induced or forced draft during test, having an inside laboratory hood free of induced or forced draft.
D 3801
NOTE 7—Withdrawing the burner a distance of 150 mm from the
10.1.1 Warning—Products of combustion may be toxic. An
specimen while measuring t , t , and t has been found suitable.
1 2 3
enclosed laboratory hood and an exhaust fan for removing the
NOTE 8—When the flaming of the specimen ceases after the first flame
products of combustion after the tests are recommended.
application, the second flame application must be started immediately. The
10.2 Clamp a specimen from the upper 6 mm of its length,
test shall not be interrupted, for example, to record data or replace cotton.
with the longitudinal axis vertical, so that the lower end of the
10.5 If the specimen drips molten or flaming material during
specimen is 300 6 10 mm above a horizontal layer of cotton,
approximately 50 by 50 mm, thinned to a maximum uncom- either flame application, tilt the burner to an angle up to 45°,
and withdraw the burner slightly from one of the sides of the
pressed thickness of 6 mm, maximum weight of 0.08 g. See
Fig. 1. specimens during the flame application to avoid dripping into
the tube of the burner. If the specimen drips molten or flaming
10.3 Place the burner remote from the specimen, ignite, and
adjust it to produce a blue flame 20 6 2 mm high. Adjust the material, or is consumed during the test, hand-hold the burner
and maintain the proper distance between the bottom of the
gas supply and the air ports of the burner until a 20-mm
yellow-tipped blue flame is produced, and then increase the air specimen and the top of the burner tube during the flame
application. Ignore any molten strings of the material and
supply until the yellow tip just disappears. Measure the height
of the flame. If the flame height is not 20 6 2 mm, adjust the always apply the flame to the bottom of the major portion of
the specimen.
burner gas supply to give the proper flame height.
10.6 Repeat the procedure in 10.2-10.5 on the remaining
NOTE 6—See Practice D 5207 for recommended back pressure and flow
specimens for each set.
rate for the gas supply and calibration procedure for the 20-mm flame.
10.4 Place the test flame centrally under the lower end of the
11. Calculation
test specimen with the burner tube 10 6 1 mm below the
11.1 Calculate the total afterflame time for each set of five
specimen and maintain that distance for a flame-impingement
specimens, t , using the following formula:
f
time of 10.0 6 0.5 s, moving the burner as necessary in
response to any changes in the length or position of the
t 5 ~t 1 t !
(
f 1,i 2,i
specimen. Withdraw the test flame sufficiently so that there is
i 5 1
(1)
no effect on the burning specimen (see Note 7) and measure the
afterflame time, in seconds. When the flaming of the specimen
where:
ceases, immediately place the test flame under the specimen
t 5 total flaming time, s,
f
again (see Note 8) maintaining a distance of 10 6 1 mm for a
t 5 afterflame time after the first flame impingement, s,
1,i
flame-impingement time of 10.0 6 0.5 s. After this second th
of the i specimen, and
flame application, withdraw the test flame (see Note 7) and
t 5 afterflame time after the second flame impingement,
2,i
th
measure the afterflame and afterglow times, in seconds. Record
s, of the i specimen.
the afterflame time after the first flame application as t . Record
11.2 Calculate the arithmetic mean of the afterflame time for
the afterflame and afterglow times after the second flame
each flame impingement, t and t , and the afterflame plus
1 2
application as t and t , respectively. Note and record whether
2 3
afterglow time for the second flame impingement, t plus t ,
2 3
any particles fall from the specimen and, if so, whether they
recorded for each set of five specimens to the nearest second.
ignite the cotton.
12. Report
12.1 The complete report shall include the following:
12.1.1 Material Identification—Include generic description,
manufacturer, commercial designation, lot number, and color.
12.1.2 Conditioning or aging.
12.1.2.1 Conditioning time at 23 6 2°C, h.
12.1.2.2 Cooling time in desiccator, h.
12.1.3 Individual test specimen data.
12.1.3.1 Thickness.
12.1.3.2 Afterflame time after first flame impingement.
12.1.3.3 Afterflame time af
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