ASTM D2863-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
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).
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 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, health, and environmental 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.
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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.
Designation: D2863 − 23
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* 1.9 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.
procedure involving the comparison with a specified minimum
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
structurally self-supporting in the form of vertical bars or sheet
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 .
2. Referenced Documents
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet
2
or film materials, while supported vertically.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15
3
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
kg/m .
eous Fuel Samples
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for
testing some other materials, the precision of the test method has not been D1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test
Plastics
conditions outside those recommended herein.
D4802 Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Acrylic
1.7 This test method measures and describes the response of
Plastic Sheet
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
D4968 Practice for Annual Review of Test Methods and
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
Specifications for Plastics
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
standard.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
2
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D2863 - 19. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2863-23. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes s
...
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 − 19 D2863 − 23
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
3
10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater than 15 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, health, and environmental 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.
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 Oct. 1, 2019Oct. 1, 2023. Published October 2019October 2023. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20172019 as
D2863 - 17a.D2863 - 19. DOI: 10.1520/D2863-19.10.1520/D2863-23.
*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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D2863 − 23
TABLE 1 Test Specimen Dimensions
Dimensions
Test
Specimen Material Form
Length, Width, Thickness,
A
Type
mm mm 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
B
III 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
B
V 140 ± 5 52 ± 0.5 #10.5 for flexible film or sheet
B, C
VI 140 to 200 20 0.02 to for thin film; limited to film
0.10 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 th
...
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