ASTM D3278-96e1

Standard Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining whether a material does or does not flash at a specified temperature or for determining the lowest finite temperature at which a material does flash when using a small scale closed-cup apparatus.  The test methods are applicable to paints, enamels, lacquers, varnishes, and related products having a flash point between 0 and 110°C (32 and 230°F) and viscosity lower than 150 St at 25°C (77°F).  Note 1-Tests at higher or lower temperatures are possible. Note 2-More viscous materials may be tested in accordance with Annex A4. Note 3-Organic peroxides may be tested in accordance with Annex A5, which describes the applicable safety precautions. Note 4-The U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA, Hazard Communications), the U.S. Department of Transportation (RSPA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have specified Test Methods D3278 as one of several acceptable methods for the determination of flash point of liquids in their regulations. Note 5-These test methods are similar to International Standards ISO 3679 and ISO 3680.
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled 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 the test may be used as elements of a fire- hazard or a fire-risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Notes 7 and 12.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-1997
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.21 - Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3278-96(2004)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D3934-20 - Standard Test Method for Flash/No Flash Test—Equilibrium Method by a Closed-Cup Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D4800-94(2023) - Standard Guide for Classifying and Specifying Adhesives
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E502-21a - Standard Test Method for Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D3794-22 - Standard Guide for Testing Coil Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D3735-22 - Standard Specification for VM&P Naphthas
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D6361/D6361M-98(2020) - Standard Guide for Selecting Cleaning Agents and Processes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D333-01(2021) - Standard Guide for Clear and Pigmented Lacquers
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM C461-23 - Standard Test Methods for Mastics and Coatings Used With Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1232-07(2019) - Standard Test Method for Temperature Limit of Flammability of Chemicals
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D56-22 - Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Cup Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D3734-05(2018) - Standard Specification for High-Flash Aromatic Naphthas
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D235-22 - Standard Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits) (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F940-99(2019)e1 - Standard Practice for Quality Control Receipt Inspection Procedures for Protective Coatings (Paint), Used in Marine Construction and Shipbuilding
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D803-15(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Testing Tall Oil
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

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
e1
Designation: D 3278 – 96
Standard Test Methods for
Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup
1
Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3278; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1
e NOTE— Figures A1.1 and A2.1 were corrected editorially in October 1997.
1. Scope bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
statements, see Note 7 and Note 12.
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining
whether a material does or does not flash at a specified
2. Referenced Documents
temperature or for determining the lowest finite temperature at
2.1 ASTM Standards:
which a material does flash when using a small scale closed-
3
2 D 56 Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Tester
cup apparatus. The test methods are applicable to paints,
D 93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
enamels, lacquers, varnishes, and related products having a
3
Closed Tester
flash point between 0 and 110°C (32 and 230°F) and viscosity
D 850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic
lower than 150 St at 25°C (77°F).
4
Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
NOTE 1—Tests at higher or lower temperatures are possible.
D 1015 Test Method for Freezing Points of High-Purity
NOTE 2—More viscous materials may be tested in accordance with
3
Hydrocarbons
Annex A4.
D 1078 Test Method for Distillation Range of Volatile
NOTE 3—Organic peroxides may be tested in accordance with Annex
4
Organic Liquids
A5, which describes the applicable safety precautions.
5
2.2 ISO Standards:
NOTE 4—The U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA, Hazard Communica-
tions), the U.S. Department of Transportation (RSPA), and the U.S.
ISO 3679 Paints, varnishes, petroleum and related
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have specified Test Methods
products—Determination of flash point—Rapid equilib-
D 3278 as one of several acceptable methods for the determination of flash
rium method
point of liquids in their regulations.
ISO 3680 Paints, varnishes, petroleum and related
NOTE 5—These test methods are similar to International Standards ISO
products—Flash/no flash test—Rapid equilibrium method
3679 and ISO 3680.
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe
3. Terminology
the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
3.1 Definitions:
flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to
3.1.1 flash point—the lowest temperature, corrected to a
describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of materials,
pressure of 760 mm Hg (101.3 kPa, 1013 mbar), at which
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However,
application of an ignition source causes the vapor of the
results of the test may be used as elements of a fire-hazard or
specimen to ignite under specified conditions of test.
a fire-risk assessment which takes into account all of the
factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard
4. Summary of Test Methods
or fire risk of a particular end use.
4.1 By means of a syringe, 2 mL of the sample is introduced
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
through a leakproof entry port into the tightly closed small
2
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
scale closed-cup apparatus or directly into the cup that has
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
been brought to the required test temperature. As a flash/no
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
flash test, the expected flash point temperature may be a
specification or other operating requirement. After 1 min, a test
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct responsibility
3
of Subcommittee D01.22 on Health and Safety. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
4
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1996. Published April 1996. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.04.
5
published as D 3278 – 73. Last previous edition D 3278 – 95. Available from American National Standards Institute, 13th Floor, 11 W. 42nd
2
Small scale closed-cup apparatus has been found suitable for this purpose. St., New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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e1
D3278–96
flame is applied inside the cup and note is taken whether or not 8. Sampling
the test specimen flashes. A fresh specimen must be used if a
8.1 Th
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