ASTM D635-14

Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Tests made on a material under conditions herein prescribed are of value in comparing the rate of burning or extent and time of burning characteristics, or both, of different materials, in controlling manufacturing processes, or as a measure of deterioration or change in these burning characteristics prior to or during use. Correlation with flammability under actual use conditions is not implied.  
5.2 The rate of burning and other burning phenomena will be affected by such factors as density, pigments, any anisotropy of the material and the thickness of the specimen. Test data shall be compared only for specimens of similar thickness, whether comparisons are being made with the same or different materials. The rate of burning and other burning phenomena will vary with thickness.  
5.3 It is feasible that sheet materials that have been stretched during processing will relax during burning and give erratic results unless they are first heated above their deflection temperature, in accordance with Test Method D648, for a time sufficient to permit complete relaxation.  
5.4 Burning tests require that certain variables be arbitrarily fixed, for example, specimen size, energy source and application time, and end points. Materials will be found that are unusually sensitive to one or more of the conditions chosen for this method leading to highly variable results. Additional burning characterization by other methods is highly desirable in such cases (see Note 2).  
5.5 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to specific laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it will not always be 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 procedure.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers a small-scale laboratory screening procedure for comparing the relative linear rate of burning or extent and time of burning, or both, of plastics in the form of bars, molded or cut from sheets, plates, or panels, and tested in the horizontal position.  
Note 1: This test method, and test method A of IEC 60695-11-10 are technically equivalent.  
Note 2: For additional information on materials which do not burn to the first reference mark by this test, see Test Method D3801.  
1.2 This test method was developed for polymeric materials used for parts in devices and appliances. The results are intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their acceptability with respect to flammability for a particular application. The final acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use in complete equipment that conforms with the standard applicable to such equipment.  
1.3 The classification system described in Appendix X1 is intended for quality assurance and the preselection of component materials for products.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe 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 hazards or fire risk assessment of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards statements, see 9.2.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2014
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.30 - Thermal Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D635-10 - Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D4020-18 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D1562-22 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Cellulose Acetate Propionate Molding and Extrusion Compounds (CAP)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D3841-21 - Standard Specification for Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Plastic Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C1349-17 - Standard Specification for Architectural Flat Glass Clad Polycarbonate
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F1837M-97(2018) - Standard Specification for Heat-Shrink Cable Entry Seals (Metric)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F3214-23 - Standard Practice for Characterization of Fire Properties of Seating, Upholstery, and Padding Materials for Vehicles Associated with Amusement Rides and Devices
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F964-13(2019) - Standard Specification for Rigid Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Exterior Profiles Used for Fencing and Railing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D5025-20a - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D4804-23 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM E2634-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D4477-22 - Standard Specification for Rigid (Unplasticized) Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Soffit
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D4976-12a(2020) - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D2287-19 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Molding and Extrusion Compounds
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C1822-21 - Standard Specification for Insulating Covers on Accessible Lavatory Piping
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014

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
Designation: D635 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of
1
Plastics in a Horizontal Position
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D635; 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* bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
hazards statements, see 9.2.
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers a small-scale
laboratory screening procedure for comparing the relative
2. Referenced Documents
linearrateofburningorextentandtimeofburning,orboth,of
2
plastics in the form of bars, molded or cut from sheets, plates, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
or panels, and tested in the horizontal position. D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D648Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
NOTE 1—This test method, and test methodAof IEC60695-11-10 are
Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
technically equivalent.
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
NOTE 2—For additional information on materials which do not burn to
the first reference mark by this test, see Test Method D3801.
D1929Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature
of Plastics
1.2 Thistestmethodwasdevelopedforpolymericmaterials
D2843Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning
used for parts in devices and appliances. The results are
or Decomposition of Plastics
intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their accept-
D3801TestMethodforMeasuringtheComparativeBurning
abilitywithrespecttoflammabilityforaparticularapplication.
Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
The final acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use
D5025Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-
in complete equipment that conforms with the standard appli-
Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
cable to such equipment.
D5207Practice for Confirmation of 20–mm (50–W) and
1.3 The classification system described in Appendix X1 is
125–mm (500–W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning
intended for quality assurance and the preselection of compo-
Tests on Plastic Materials
nent materials for products.
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Building Materials
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
standard.
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the
3
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
2.2 IEC Standards:
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself IEC 60695-11-10 Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-10 Test
incorporate all factors required for fire hazards or fire risk
Flames—50W Horizontal and Vertical Flame Test Meth-
assessment of materials, products, or assemblies under actual ods
fire conditions.
3. Terminology
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties the ASTM website.
3
(Section D20.30.03). Publications of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014. Published December 2014. Originally International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are available from American
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D635–10. DOI: National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY
10.1520/D0635-14. 10036.
*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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D635 − 14
NOTE 3—The amount of oxygen available to support combustion is
3.1.1 Definitions used in this test method are in accordance
naturally important for the conduct of these fire-test-response tests. For
with Terminology D883, unless otherwise specified. For terms
tests conducted by this test method when bur
...

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: D635 − 10 D635 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of
1
Plastics in a Horizontal Position
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D635; 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 test method covers a small-scale laboratory screening procedure for comparing the relative linear rate
of burning or extent and time of burning, or both, of plastics in the form of bars, molded or cut from sheets, plates, or panels, and
tested in the horizontal position.
NOTE 1—This test method, and test method A of IEC 60695-11-10 are technically equivalent.
NOTE 2—For additional information on materials which do not burn to the first reference mark by this test, see Test Method D3801.
1.2 This test method was developed for polymeric materials used for parts in devices and appliances. The results are intended
to serve as a preliminary indication of their acceptability with respect to flammability for a particular application. The final
acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use in complete equipment that conforms with the standard applicable to such
equipment.
1.3 The classification system described in Appendix X1 is intended for quality assurance and the preselection of component
materials for products.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe 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 hazards or fire risk assessment of materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific hazards statements, see 9.2.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1929 Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics
D2843 Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics
D3801 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20–mm (50–W) and 125–mm (500–W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on
Plastic Materials
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
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 (Section
D20.30.03).
Current edition approved July 1, 2010Dec. 1, 2014. Published August 2010December 2014. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20062010 as
D635 - 06.D635 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/D0635-10.10.1520/D0635-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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 ----------------------
D635 − 14
3
2.2 IEC Standards:
IEC 60695-11-10 Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-10 Test Flames—50W Horizontal and Vertical Flame Test Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Definitions used in this test method are in accordance with Terminology D883, unless otherwise specified. For terms
relating to fire, the defini
...