Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides for the measuring of the minimum concentration of oxygen in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just support flaming combustion of plastics. Correlation with burning characteristics under actual use conditions is not implied.  
5.2 In this test method, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire-test-exposure conditions described in this test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, expressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.  
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures. Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B involves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short procedure involving the comparison with a specified minimum value of the oxygen index.  
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).  
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions    
Test Specimen TypeA  
Dimensions  
Material Form  
Length,
mm  
Width,
mm  
Thickness, mm  
I  
80 to 150  
10 ± 0.5  
4 ± 0.25  
for molding materials  
II  
80 to 150  
10 ± 0.5  
10 ± 0.5  
for cellular materials  
IIIB  
80 to 150  
10 ± 0.5  
≤ 10.5  
for sheet materials  
IV  
70 to 150  
6.5 ± 0.5  
3 ± 0.25  
alternative size for
self-supporting molding
or sheet materials  
VB  
140 ± 5  
52 ± 0.5  
≤10.5  
for flexible film or sheet  
VIB, C  
140 to 200  
20  
0.02 to 0.10  
for thin film; limited to film
that can be rolled by the
wire specified in 6.7(A) Test specimens of Types I, II, III, and IV are suitable for materials that are self-supporting at these dimensions. Test specimens of Form V and VI are suitable for materials that require support during testing. Test specimens of Form VI are suitable for film materials that can be rolled into a self-supporting specimen by the procedure in 7.4.(B) Compare results obtained using Type III, V, and VI test specimens only to those obtained using specimens of the same form and thickness. It is assumed that the amount of variation in thickness for such materials will be controlled by other standards.(C) The test specimen of Type VI is suitable for thin film that is self-supporting when it is rolled (see 7.4). Dimensions in the table are of the specimen size from which the rolled form is made. If the film is very thin, it is possible that proper results will only be obtained if two or more layers are combined in the preparation of the roll to obtain proper results.  
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are structurally self-supporting in the form of vertical bars or sheet up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater than 15 kg/m3.  
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet or film materials, while supported vertically.  
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15 kg/m3.
Note 1: Although this test method has been found applicable for testing some other materials, the precision of the test method has not been determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test conditions outside those recommended herein.  
1.7 This test method measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk...

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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: D2863 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
1
Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2863; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, ex-
priate safety, health and environmental practices and deter-
pressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.
Specific hazards statement are given in Section 10.
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures.
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B in-
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
volves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short
conducting these tests.
procedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimum
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO 4589-2 are technically equivalent
value of the oxygen index.
when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1,
with direct oxygen concentration measurement.
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
structurallyself-supportingintheformofverticalbarsorsheet
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3
than 15 kg/m .
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet 2. Referenced Documents
or film materials, while supported vertically. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15
D1071Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
3
kg/m . eous Fuel Samples
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for
D1622Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
testingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeen
Plastics
determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test
D4802Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Acrylic
conditions outside those recommended herein.
Plastic Sheet
1.7 Thistestmethodmeasuresanddescribestheresponseof
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
ISO 4589-2Plastics—Determination of Flammability by
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D2863-13. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D2863-17. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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...

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: D2863 − 13 D2863 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
1
Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2863; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, expressed as
percent volume, that will just support flaming combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures. Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B involves
propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short procedure involving the comparison with a specified minimum value of the oxygen
index.
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are structurally self-supporting in the form of vertical bars or sheet up
to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater than 15
3
kg/m .
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet or film materials, while supported vertically.
3
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15 kg/m .
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for testing some other materials, the precision of the test method has not been determined
for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test conditions outside those recommended herein.
1.7 This test method measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.9 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 safety, health and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statement are given in Section 10.
1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting
these tests.
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO 4589-2 are technically equivalent when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1, with direct
oxygen concentration measurement.
1.11 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gaseous Fuel Samples
D1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2013Aug. 15, 2017. Published September 2013August 2017. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20122013
ε1
as D2863 - 12D2863 - 13. . DOI: 10.1520/D2863-13.10.1520/D2863-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2863 − 17
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensi
...

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