ASTM E659-78(2005)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Liquid Chemicals
Standard Test Method for Autoignition Temperature of Liquid Chemicals
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Autoignition, by its very nature, is dependent on the chemical and physical properties of the material and the method and apparatus employed for its determination. The autoignition temperature by a given method does not necessarily represent the minimum temperature at which a given material will self-ignite in air. The volume of the vessel used is particularly important since lower autoignition temperatures will be achieved in larger vessels. (See Appendix X2.) Vessel material can also be an important factor.
The temperatures determined by this test method are those at which air oxidation leads to ignition. These temperatures can be expected to vary with the test pressure and oxygen concentration.
This test method is not designed for evaluating materials which are capable of exothermic decomposition. For such materials, ignition is dependent upon the thermal and kinetic properties of the decomposition, the mass of the sample, and the heat transfer characteristics of the system.
This test method can be employed for solid chemicals which melt and vaporize or which readily sublime at the test temperature. No condensed phase, liquid or solid, should be present when ignition occurs.
This test method is not designed to measure the autoignition temperature of materials which are solids or liquids at the test temperature (for example, wood, paper, cotton, plastics, and high-boiling point chemicals). Such materials will thermally degrade in the flask and the accumulated degradation products may ignite.
This test method was developed primarily for liquid chemicals but has been employed to test readily vaporized solids. Responsibility for extension of this method to solids of unknown thermal stability, boiling point, or degradation characteristics rests with the operator.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of hot- and cool-flame autoignition temperatures of a liquid chemical in air at atmospheric pressure in a uniformly heated vessel.
Note 1—Within certain limitations, this test method can also be used to determine the autoignition temperature of solid chemicals which readily melt and vaporize at temperatures below the test temperature.
1.2 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: E659 − 78 (Reapproved2005)
Standard Test Method for
1
Autoignition Temperature of Liquid Chemicals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E659; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is one of several methods developed by ASTM Committee E27 for determining
the hazards of chemicals. It is designed to be used in conjunction with other tests to characterize the
hazard potential of the chemical under test.
1. Scope made in total darkness because some flames, such as cool-
flames, are observed with difficulty.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of hot- and
cool-flameautoignitiontemperaturesofaliquidchemicalinair
3.2 autoignition, n—the ignition of a material commonly in
at atmospheric pressure in a uniformly heated vessel.
air as the result of heat liberation due to an exothermic
oxidation reaction in the absence of an external ignition source
NOTE1—Withincertainlimitations,thistestmethodcanalsobeusedto
such as a spark or flame.
determine the autoignition temperature of solid chemicals which readily
melt and vaporize at temperatures below the test temperature.
3.3 autoignition temperature, n—the minimum temperature
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe
at which autoignition occurs under the specified conditions of
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
test.
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
3.3.1 Autoignition temperature is also referred to as spon-
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
taneous ignition temperature, self-ignition temperature, autog-
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
enous ignition temperature, and by the acronymsAIT and SIT.
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
Asdeterminedbythismethod,AITisthelowesttemperatureat
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
which the substance will produce hot-flame ignition in air at
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
atmospheric pressure without the aid of an external energy
hazard of a particular end use.
source such as spark or flame. It is the lowest temperature to
which a combustible mixture must be raised, so that the rate of
2. Referenced Documents
heat evolved by the exothermic oxidation reaction will over-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
balance the rate at which heat is lost to the surroundings and
D2883 Test Method for Reaction Threshold Temperature of
cause ignition.
Liquid and Solid Materials
3.4 cool-flame, n—a faint, pale blue luminescence or flame
occurring below the autoignition temperature (AIT).
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
NOTE 2—Cool-flames occur in rich vapor-air mixtures of most hydro-
carbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. They are the first part of the
3.1.1 ignition, n—the initiation of combustion.
multistage ignition process.
3.1.2 Ignition, which is subjective, is defined for this
method as the appearance of a flame accompanied by a sharp
3.5 ignition delay time, n—the time lapse between applica-
rise in the temperature of the gas mixture.The determination is tion of heat to a material and its ignition. It is the time in
seconds between insertion of the sample into the flask and
ignition. It is maximum at the minimum autoignition tempera-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E27 on Hazard
ture and also referred to as ignition lag.
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
4. Summary of Test Method
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E659 – 78 (2000).
DOI: 10.1520/E0659-78R05.
4.1 A small, metered sample of the product to be tested is
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
inserted into a uniformly heated 500-ml glass flask containing
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
air at a predetermined temperature. The contents of the flask
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. are observed in a dark room for 10 min following insertion of
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E659 − 78 (2005)
the sample, or until autoignition occurs. Autoignition is evi- unknown thermal stability, boiling point, or degradation char-
denced by t
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