ASTM G63-15(2023)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating Nonmetallic Materials for Oxygen Service
Standard Guide for Evaluating Nonmetallic Materials for Oxygen Service
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this guide is to furnish qualified technical personnel with pertinent information for use in selecting materials for oxygen service in order to minimize the probability of ignition and the risk of explosion or fire. It is not intended as a specification for approving materials for oxygen service.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide applies to nonmetallic materials, (hereinafter called materials) under consideration for oxygen or oxygen-enriched fluid service, direct or indirect, as defined below. It is intended for use in selecting materials for applications in connection with the production, storage, transportation, distribution, or use of oxygen. It is concerned primarily with the properties of a material associated with its relative susceptibility to ignition and propagation of combustion; it does not involve mechanical properties, potential toxicity, outgassing, reactions between various materials in the system, functional reliability, or performance characteristics such as physical aging, degradation, abrasion, hardening, or embrittlement, except when these might contribute to an ignition.
1.2 When this document was originally published in 1980, it addressed both metals and nonmetals. Its scope has been narrowed to address only nonmetals and a separate standard Guide G94 has been developed to address metals.
1.3 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.
Note 1: The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any evaluation methods asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this guide. Users of this guide are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such evaluation methods and data and the risk of use of such evaluation methods and data are entirely their own responsibility.
Note 2: In evaluating materials, any mixture with oxygen exceeding atmospheric concentration at pressures higher than atmospheric should be evaluated from the hazard point of view for possible significant increase in material combustibility.
1.4 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
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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: G63 − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Nonmetallic Materials for Oxygen Service
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G63; 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 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This guide applies to nonmetallic materials, (hereinafter
called materials) under consideration for oxygen or oxygen-
2. Referenced Documents
enriched fluid service, direct or indirect, as defined below. It is
intended for use in selecting materials for applications in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
connection with the production, storage, transportation,
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
distribution, or use of oxygen. It is concerned primarily with
Grease
the properties of a material associated with its relative suscep-
D566 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating Grease
tibility to ignition and propagation of combustion; it does not
D1264 Test Method for Determining the Water Washout
involve mechanical properties, potential toxicity, outgassing,
Characteristics of Lubricating Greases
reactions between various materials in the system, functional
D1743 Test Method for Determining Corrosion Preventive
reliability, or performance characteristics such as physical
Properties of Lubricating Greases
aging, degradation, abrasion, hardening, or embrittlement,
D1748 Test Method for Rust Protection by Metal Preserva-
except when these might contribute to an ignition.
tives in the Humidity Cabinet
1.2 When this document was originally published in 1980, it
D2512 Test Method for Compatibility of Materials with
addressed both metals and nonmetals. Its scope has been
Liquid Oxygen (Impact Sensitivity Threshold and Pass-
narrowed to address only nonmetals and a separate standard
Fail Techniques)
Guide G94 has been developed to address metals.
D2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Plastics (Oxygen Index)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D4809 Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter (Precision
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Method)
G72 Test Method for Autogenous Ignition Temperature of
NOTE 1—The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no
position respecting the validity of any evaluation methods asserted in Liquids and Solids in a High-Pressure Oxygen-Enriched
connection with any item mentioned in this guide. Users of this guide are
Environment
expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such evaluation
G74 Test Method for Ignition Sensitivity of Nonmetallic
methods and data and the risk of use of such evaluation methods and data
Materials and Components by Gaseous Fluid Impact
are entirely their own responsibility.
NOTE 2—In evaluating materials, any mixture with oxygen exceeding G86 Test Method for Determining Ignition Sensitivity of
atmospheric concentration at pressures higher than atmospheric should be
Materials to Mechanical Impact in Ambient Liquid Oxy-
evaluated from the hazard point of view for possible significant increase
gen and Pressurized Liquid and Gaseous Oxygen Envi-
in material combustibility.
ronments
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
G88 Guide for Designing Systems for Oxygen Service
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
G93 Guide for Cleanliness Levels and Cleaning Methods for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Materials and Equipment Used in Oxygen-Enriched En-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
vironments
G94 Guide for Evaluating Metals for Oxygen Service
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G04 on Compatibility
and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres and is the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee G04.02 on Recommended Practices. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as G63 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/G0063-15R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
G63 − 15 (2023)
2.2 Federal Standard: experience, know how to apply physical and chemical prin-
Fed. Test Method Std. 91B Corrosion Protection by Coating: ciples involved in the reactions between oxygen and other
Salt Spray (Fog) Test
materials.
2.3 Other Standard:
3.2.11 reaction effect—the personnel injury, facility damage,
BS 3N:100: 1985 Specification for General Design Require-
4 product loss, downtime, or mission loss that could occur as the
ments for Aircraft Oxygen Systems and Equipment
result of an ignition.
2.4 Other Documents:
CGA Pamphlet G4.4 Oxygen Pipeline and Piping System
4. Significance and Use
EIGA IGC 13-12 Oxygen Pipeline and Piping Systems
NSS 1740.15 NASA Safety Standard for Oxygen and Oxy-
4.1 The purpose of this guide is to furnish qualified techni-
gen Systems
cal personnel with pertinent information for use in selecting
materials for oxygen service in order to minimize the probabil-
3. Terminology
ity of ignition and the risk of explosion or fire. It is not intended
3.1 Definitions:
as a specification for approving materials for oxygen service.
3.1.1 autoignition temperature—the temperature at which a
material will spontaneously ignite in oxygen under specific test
5. Factors Affecting Selection of Material
conditions.
5.1 General—The selection of a material for use with
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
oxygen or oxygen-enriched atmospheres is primarily a matter
3.2.1 direct oxygen service—in contact with oxygen during
of understanding the circumstances that cause oxygen to react
normal operations. Examples: oxygen compressor piston rings,
with the material. Most materials in contact with oxygen will
control valve seats.
not ignite without a source of ignition energy. When an
3.2.2 impact-ignition resistance—the resistance of a mate-
energy-input rate, as converted to heat, is greater than the rate
rial to ignition when struck by an object in an oxygen
of heat dissipation, and the temperature increase is continued
atmosphere under a specific test procedure.
for sufficient time, ignition and combustion will occur. A
3.2.3 indirect oxygen service—not normally in contact with
material’s minimum ignition temperature and the ignition
oxygen, but which might be as a result of a reasonably
sources that will produce a sufficient increase in the tempera-
foreseeable malfunction, operator error, or process disturbance.
ture of the material must therefore be considered. Ignition
Examples: liquid oxygen tank insulation, liquid oxygen pump
temperatures and ignition sources should be viewed in the
motor bearings.
context of the entire system design so that the specific factors
3.2.4 maximum use pressure—the maximum pressure to
listed below will assume the proper relative significance.
which a material can be subjected due to a reasonably
Therefore: material suitability for oxygen service is
foreseeable malfunction, operator error, or process upset.
application-dependent.
3.2.5 maximum use temperature—the maximum tempera-
NOTE 3—For the safe use of materials in oxygen, in addition to the
ture to which a material can be subjected due to a reasonably
flammability and ignitability properties of the material, it is necessary to
foreseeable malfunction, operator error, or process upset.
consider other physical and chemical properties such as mechanical
3.2.6 nonmetallic—any material, other than a metal, or any
properties, potential toxicity, etc. Consequently, because ignition and
composite in which the metal is not the most easily ignited physical (or chemical) properties may be conflicting for selecting a
material, it may be necessary in such cases to perform component tests
component and for which the individual constituents cannot be
simulating the most probable ignition mechanisms (e.g., a rapid pressur-
evaluated independently.
ization test on a valve if heat of compression is analyzed as severe).
3.2.7 operating pressure—the pressure expected under nor-
5.2 Properties of the Material:
mal operating conditions.
5.2.1 Factors Affecting Ease of Ignition—Generally, when
3.2.8 operating temperature—the temperature expected un-
considering a material for a specific oxygen application, one of
der normal operating conditions.
the most significant factors is its minimum ignition temperature
3.2.9 oxygen-enriched—applies to a fluid (gas or liquid) that
in oxygen. Other factors that will affect its ignition include
contains more than 25 mol % oxygen.
relative resistance to various ignition energies, geometry,
3.2.10 qualified technical personnel—persons such as engi-
configuration, specific heat, relative porosity, thermal
neers and chemists who, by virtue of education, training, or
conductivity, preoxidation or passivity, and “heat-sink effect.”
Heat-sink effect is the heat-transfer capacity of the material
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, relative to that of the material in intimate contact with it,
732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
considering the mass, physical arrangement, and physical
www.access.gpo.gov.
4 properties of each. For instance, a gasket material may have a
Available from British Standards Institute (BSI), 389 Chiswick High Rd.,
London W4 4AL, U.K., http://www.bsi-global.com. relatively low ignition temperature but be extremely resistant
Available from Compressed Gas Association (CGA), 4221 Walney Rd., 5th
to ignition when confined between two steel flanges. The
Floor, Chantilly, VA 20151-2923, http://www.cganet.com.
6 presence of a small amount of an easily ignitable contaminant,
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Safety and Mission
Assurance, Washington, DC. such as a hydrocarbon oil or a grease film, can promote the
G63 − 15 (2023)
(6) An increase in the likelihood of compression heating ignition, with
ignition of the base material. Accordingly, cleanliness is vital to
the greatest likelihood at the highest pressures.
minimize the risk of ignition (1). See also Practice G93 and
Refs. 2–3. In the case of friction, increased pressure may improve heat
dissipation and make ignition at constant frictional energy
5.2.2 Factors Affecting Propagation—Once a material is
ignited, combustion may be sustained or may halt. Among the input less likely than at lower pressure. Increased pressure also
reduces the likelihood of spark generation at constant electric
factors that affect whether fire will continue are the basic
composition of the material, the presence of heat-sink effects, field strength through increased breakdown voltage values.
the pressure, the initial temperature, the geometric state of the 5.3.2 Temperature—Increasing temperature obviously in-
matter, and whether there is oxygen available to sustain the creases the risk of ignition but does not generally contribute to
reaction. Combustion may also be interrupted by the presence the reaction effect. The material should have a minimum
of a heat sink. ignition temperature, as determined by an acceptable test
5.2.3 Properties and Conditions Affecting Potential Resul- procedure, that exceeds the maximum use temperature (as
tant Damage—The material properties and system conditions defined in 3.2.5) by a suitable safety margin.
that could affect the damage potential if ignition occurs should 5.3.3 Concentration—As oxygen concentration decreases
be taken into account when estimating the reaction effect in from 100 %, the likelihood and intensity of a potential reaction
7.5. These properties and conditions include the material’s heat
also decrease; therefore, greater latitude may be exercised in
of combustion, its mass, the oxygen concentration, flow the selection of materials.
conditions before and after ignition, and the flame propagation
5.4 Ignition Mechanisms—For an ignition to occur, it is
characteristics.
necessary to have three elements present: oxidizer, fuel, and
5.3 Operating Conditions—Conditions that affect the suit-
ignition energy. The oxygen environment is obviously the
ability of a material include pressure, temperature,
oxidizer, and the material under consideration is the fuel.
concentration, flow, and gas velocity, and the ignitability of
Several potential sources of ignition energy are listed below.
surrounding materials. Pressure and temperature are generally
The list is neither all-inclusive nor in order of importance nor
the most significant, and their effects show up in the estimate
in frequency of occurrence.
of ignition potential (5.4) and reaction effect (5.5), as explained
5.4.1 Friction—The rubbing of two solid materials results in
in Section 7.
the generation of heat. Example: the rub of a centrifugal
5.3.1 Pressure—The operating pressure is important, not
compressor rotor against its casing.
only because it generally affects the generation of potential
5.4.2 Heat of Compression—Heat is generated from the
ignition mechanisms, but also because it affects the destructive
conversion of mechanical energy when a gas is compressed
effects if ignition should occur. While generalizations are
from a low pressure to a high pressure. This can occur when
difficult, approximate reaction effects would be as given in
high-pressure oxygen is released into a dead-ended tube or
Table 1.
pipe, quickly compressing the residual oxygen that was in the
tube ahead of it. As the ratio of final pressure to initial pressure
TABLE 1 Reaction Effect Assessment for Typical Pressures
increases, so, too, does the final theoretical temperature gen-
erated from the compression event. Example: a downstream
Reaction Effect
kPa psi
Assessment
valve in a dead-ended high-pressure oxygen m
...
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