ASTM E502-21a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
Standard Test Method for Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The flash point measures the response of the sample to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions. It is only one of a number of properties that must be considered in assessing the overall flammability hazard of a material.
5.2 As a result of physical factors inherent in the apparatus and procedure, the closed cup flash point does not necessarily represent the minimum temperature at which a material can evolve flammable vapors, and the absence of a flash point does not guarantee nonflammability (see Appendix X1 and Appendix X2).
5.3 Flash point is used in shipping and safety regulations to define flammable and combustible materials. Test Methods D56, D93, and D3278 are specified as test methods for determining the flash point of these materials.
5.4 If the process or handling conditions dictate the usage of a flammable material at temperatures ranging upward from 5 to 10°C below the closed-cup flash point, then a flammable vapor might be present above the liquid. In such cases, it may be more appropriate to use the temperature limit of flammability (as determined by Test Method E1232) instead of flash point.
5.5 For single component samples, small-scale methods involving equilibrium procedures and only one flame pass per specimen are preferred.
5.6 For mixtures containing small concentrations of volatile components, special procedures are needed to minimize the loss of volatiles, with consequent elevation of the flash point, while the sample is being heated. (See X2.5.)
5.7 In cases where errors caused by loss of volatiles, downwards flame direction and quenching are unacceptable, the “lower temperature limit of flammability” can be determined instead using Test Method E1232. The temperature limit of flammability test chamber is sufficiently large to overcome flame quenching effects in most cases of practical importance, thus, usually indicating the presence of vapor-phase flammability if it does exist.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash point of liquid and solid chemical compounds flashing from below −10 to 370°C (16 to 700°F). The procedures and apparatus in Test Methods D56, D93, D3278, D3828, and D3941 are to be used. Modification to these procedures are specified for tests on solids and viscous liquids. The significance of the results obtained is discussed along with possible sources of error and factors that might cause interference.
1.2 Suggestions for adapting this procedure to mixtures of chemicals are included (see Appendix X2).
1.3 This test method 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 or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test method may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment that take into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website — http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm — for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, into your state may be prohibited by state law.
1.6 This standard does not purport to ad...
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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: E502 − 21a
Standard Test Method for
Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination
1
of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E502; 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.
1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
point of liquid and solid chemical compounds flashing from
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
below−10 to 370°C (16 to 700°F). The procedures and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
apparatus in Test Methods D56, D93, D3278, D3828, and
See also Section 8.
D3941 are to be used. Modification to these procedures are
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
specified for tests on solids and viscous liquids. The signifi-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
cance of the results obtained is discussed along with possible
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
sources of error and factors that might cause interference.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 Suggestions for adapting this procedure to mixtures of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
chemicals are included (see Appendix X2).
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 Thistestmethodshouldbeusedtomeasureanddescribe
2. Referenced Documents
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
2
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
shouldnotbeusedtodescribeorappraisethefirehazardorfire
D56Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Cup Tester
risk of materials or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
D92Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
However, results of this test method may be used as elements
Open Cup Tester
ofafireriskassessmentthattakeintoaccountallofthefactors
D93Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a
Closed Cup Tester
particular end use.
D270Methods of Sampling Petroleum and Petroleum Prod-
3
ucts (Withdrawn 1984)
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D1310TestMethodforFlashPointandFirePointofLiquids
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
by Tag Open-Cup Apparatus
provided for informationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.
D3278Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by the United
Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
StatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)andmanystate
D3828Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed
agenciesasahazardousmaterialthatcancausecentralnervous
Cup Tester
system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may
D3934Test Method for Flash/No Flash Test—Equilibrium
be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution
Method by a Closed-Cup Apparatus
should be taken when handling mercury and mercury contain-
D3941Test Method for Flash Point by the Equilibrium
ing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data
Method With a Closed-Cup Apparatus
Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website — http://
E681TestMethodforConcentrationLimitsofFlammability
www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm — for additional information.
of Chemicals (Vapors and Gases)
Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-
E1232Test Method for Temperature Limit of Flammability
containing products, or both, into your state may be prohibited
of Chemicals
by state law.
1 2
This test method is under jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2021.PublishedJuly2021.Originallyapproved the ASTM website.
3
in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as E502–21. DOI: 10.1520/ The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
E0502-21A. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Co
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: E502 − 21 E502 − 21a
Standard Test Method for
Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination
1
of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E502; 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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash point of liquid and solid chemical compounds flashing from below −10
to 370°C (16 to 700°F). The procedures and apparatus in Test Methods D56, D93, D3278, D3828, and D3941 are to be used.
Modification to these procedures are specified for tests on solids and viscous liquids. The significance of the results obtained is
discussed along with possible sources of error and factors that might cause interference.
1.2 Suggestions for adapting this procedure to mixtures of chemicals are included (see Appendix X2).
1.3 This test method 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 or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test method may be used as elements of a fire risk
assessment that take into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many state
agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be
hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products.
See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website — http://www.epa.gov/mercury/
faq.htm — for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, into
your state may be prohibited by state law.
1.6 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. See also Section 8.
1.7 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.
1
This test method is under jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2021June 1, 2021. Published March 2021July 2021. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20132021 as
E502 – 07 (2013).E502 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/E0502-21.10.1520/E0502-21A.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E502 − 21a
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D56 Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Cup Tester
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester
3
D270 Methods of Sampling Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Withdrawn 1984)
D1310 Test Method for Flash Point and Fire Point of Liquids by Tag Open-Cup Apparatus
D3278 Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
D3828 Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Cup Tester
D3934 Test Method for Flash/No Flash Test—Equilibrium Method by a Closed-Cup Apparatus
D3941 Test Method for Flash Point by the Equilibrium Method With a Closed-Cup Apparatus
E681 Test Method for Concentration Limits of Flammability of Chemicals (Vapors and Gases)
E1232 Test Method
...
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