ASTM D4391-93a(2000)
(Terminology)Standard Terminology Relating to The Burning Behavior of Textiles
Standard Terminology Relating to The Burning Behavior of Textiles
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Designation:D4391–93a (Reapproved 2000)
Standard Terminology Relating to
The Burning Behavior of Textiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4391; 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.
The definitions in this standard have been approved by the Society and are included in D 123 “Terminology Relating to Textiles”. They
are published as a separate collection for the convenience of persons interested in the burning behavior of textiles. A bibliography of
related literature is given in Appendix X1.
DISCUSSION—Examples are a match flame, candle flame, or a Bunsen
afterglow, n—glowinmaterialaftertheremovalofanexternal
burner gas flame.
ignition source or after the cessation (natural or induced) of
flaming of the material. (See also flame, glow, and smol-
flame resistance, n—the property of a material whereby
dering.)
flaming combustion is prevented, terminated, or inhibited
burning behavior, n—all the changes that take place when
following application of a flaming or nonflaming source of
materials or products are exposed to a specified ignition
ignition, with or without subsequent removal of the ignition
source.
source.
charring, n—the formation of carbonaceous residue as the
DISCUSSION—Flame resistance can be an inherent property of the
result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion.
basic material or product, or it may be imparted by specific treatment.
combustible textile, n—a textile that will ignite and burn or
The degree of flame resistance exhibited by a specific material during
that will give off vapors that will ignite and burn when
testing may vary with different test conditions.
subjected to external sources of ignition. (Compare flam-
flame resistant, adj—having flame resistance.
mable textile, noncombustible textile.)
combustion, n—a chemical process of oxidation that occurs at
DISCUSSION—“Flame resistant” is the government mandated descrip-
a rate fast enough to produce heat and usually light either as
tion for certain products that meet established governmental conform-
glow or flames. ance standards or specifications when the product is tested by a specific
method. Where no conformance standards exist, “flame resistant” is a
DISCUSSION—Some oxidation such as that of hydrogen emits radia-
relative term and is used to compare one material to another.
tion outside the visible spectrum.
flame retardant, adj—not defined. This term should not be
dangerously flammable textile, n— not defined. This term is
used as an adjective except in the terms “flame-retardant-
implied in the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing
treated” and “flame-retardant treatment”.
Textiles (16 CFR Part 1610) under the Flammable Fabrics
flame retardant, n—a chemical used to impart flame resis-
Act (15 USC 1191, et seq.) from which a meaning can be
tance.
inferred. (See also flammable textile.)
flame-retardant-treated, adj—having received a flame-
embrittlement, n—the formation of a brittle residue as the
retardant treatment.
result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion.
DISCUSSION—The term “flame-retardant-treated” does not apply to
fire, n—as related to textile flammability, an uncontrolled
textiles that are inherently-flame-resistant due to the intrinsic properties
conflagration in which materials are destroyed by burning as
of the material or the fiber-forming polymer.
evidenced by flames of varying size and shape, and a high
intensity heat source of 5 kw or greater, such as a burning
flame-retardant treatment, n—a process for incorporating or
waste basket, grease-fire on a stove, burning building or adding flame retardant(s) to a material or product.
forest fire.
DISCUSSION—The term “flame-retardant treatment” does not apply to
flame, n—as related to textile flammability, a hot luminous
textiles that are inherently flame resistant due to the intrinsic properties
zone of gas or matter in gaseous suspension, or both, that is
of the material or the fiber-forming polymer.
undergoing combustion, that is relatively constant in size
flammability, n—those characteristics of a material that per-
and shape, and that produces a relatively low heat flux.
tain to its relative ease of ignition and relative ability to
(Compare fire.)
sustain combustion.
flammable textile, n—any combustible textile that burns with
ThisterminologyisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD13onTextiles
a flame. (See also flammability.) (Compare combustible
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.92 on Terminology.
textile, noncombustible textile.)
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 1993. Published January 1994. Originally
published as D
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