Standard Test Method for Flash/No Flash Test—Equilibrium Method by a Closed-Cup Apparatus

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of whether a liquid complies with the closed-cup flash point requirements in government regulations, or in specifications, or as agreed between the purchaser and the seller.  
1.2 This test method is limited to a temperature range between 32 and 230°F (0 and 110°C).  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4  This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.  
1.5  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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Publication Date
26-Jul-1990
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ASTM D3934-90(2001) - Standard Test Method for Flash/No Flash Test—Equilibrium Method by a Closed-Cup Apparatus
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D3934–90(Reapproved2001)
Standard Test Method for
Flash/No Flash Test—Equilibrium Method by a Closed-Cup
Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3934; 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.
INTRODUCTION
ASTM Flash Point Test Methods D 56, D 93, D 3278, and D 3941 are specified by government
departments and agencies for determining whether liquids are flammable or combustible. These
classifications are used as the basis for regulating the handling and shipping of liquids.
ISO/TC35,PaintsandVarnishes,andISO/TC28,PetroleumandRelatedProducts,haveissuedISO
1516 as a common standard, applicable to paints, varnishes, petroleum, and related products. This
method is similar to ISO 1516 but uses standard ASTM cups and style and format. Test Methods
D 3278 and D 3828 operate on the equilibrium principle by using the Setaflash tester that has a
temperature-control device.
This test method does not determine the finite flash point but whether or not flashing occurs at a
single specified temperature. The latter determination is made more accurate by ensuring that the test
is carried out only when the material under test and the air/vapor mixture above it are in approximate
equilibrium at the specified temperature.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of whether a
liquid complies with the closed-cup flash point requirements in
2. Referenced Documents
government regulations, or in specifications, or as agreed
2.1 ASTM Standards:
between the purchaser and the seller.
D 56 Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Tester
1.2 This test method is limited to a temperature range
D 93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
between 32 and 230°F (0 and 110°C).
Closed Tester
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
D 3278 Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
information only.
D 3828 Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe
Tester
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
D 3941 Test Method for Flash Point by the Equilibrium
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
Method with a Closed-Cup Apparatus
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
2.2 ISO Standard:
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
ISO 1516 Paints, varnishes, petroleum, and related
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
products—Flash/no-flash test—Closed cup equilibrium
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
method
hazard of a particular end use.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
1 3
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
ASTM Subcommittee D01.22 on Health and Safety. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
Current edition approved July 27, 1990. Published November 1990. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute, 13th Floor, 11 W. 42nd
e1
published as D 3934 – 82. Last previous edition D 3934 – 84 . St., New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D3934
3.1.1 flash point, n—the lowest temperature corrected to a 6.5 Shield—Athree-sided shield open in the front, each side
pressure of 760 mm Hg (101.3 kPa) (1013 millibars) at which 18 in. (460 mm) wide and 24 in. (610 mm) high, is recom-
application of an ignition source causes the vapor of the mended.
specimen to ignite under specified conditions of test.
7. Reagents and Materials
4. Summary of Test Method 7.1 Water or a 1 + 1 Mixture of Water and Ethylene Glycol
may be used as the bath liquid.
4.1 Aspecimen in a closed cup of standard design is heated
in a suitable liquid bath. After the specimen has been main-
8. Preparation of Sample
tained under equilibrium conditions for at least 10 min at the
8.1 Obtain a representative sample of the product under test
lowest allowable flash point temperature (within a permitted
and keep it in an air-tight container.
tolerance) of the specification or regulation, it is determined
8.2 Becauseofthepossibilityoflossofvolatiles,thesample
whether the specimen does or does not flash.
shall receive only the minimum treatment to assure uniformity.
After removal of the specimen, immediately close the sample
5. Significance and Use
container tightly to ensure that no volatile flammable compo-
5.1 This test method ensures that before the flash test is run
nents escape from the container (otherwise a new sample may
the air/vapor space above the specimen has attained a satura-
be necessary if further testing is required).
tion concentration of vapor by using standard closed cups
8.3 Do not open containers unnecessarily. Do not make
under equilibrium conditions. The saturation concentration of
transfers unless the sample temperature is at least 20°F (10°C)
the vapors will be attained at some temperature between that of
below the flash point.
the liquid and the cooler apparatus lid. However, this tempera-
8.4 Discard samples in leaky containers.
turewillbeclosetothetemperatureofthespecimenafterithas
8.5 Do not store samples in plastic (polyethylene, polypro-
been maintained at the specified temperature for at least a
pylene, etc.), since volatile material may diffuse through the
10-min period. This test method does not provide for the
walls of the bottles.
determination of the actual flash point but only whether a
specimen does or does not flash at a specified temperature.
9. Preparation of Apparatus
9.1 Support the cup and liquid bath on a level, steady table.
6. Apparatus
Unless tests are made in a draft-free room or compartment,
surround the tester on three sides with the shield for protection
6.1 Test Cups, specified in Test Methods D 56 (Tag) and
D 93(P
...

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