ASTM F2866-11
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Flammability of a Membrane Switch in Defined Assembly
Standard Test Method for Flammability of a Membrane Switch in Defined Assembly
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
There are numerous flammability ratings and tests. Almost without fail, these standards and tests are focused on very specific industries or results, many of which are not applicable to the membrane switch/human machine interface assembly. This test is designed to provide relative results between membrane switches that have been assembled to the unit's final enclosure, housing, etc.
In addition to the test's measurement of the rate of burn, a laboratory can also observe the effects of burning material falling from the test specimen onto other materials (typically a gauze test area) not directly part of the test specimen. The indirect burning is an issue of interest to see if the test specimen will be able to act as an initiator for a far greater and more damaging flame event (fire). Observations should be noted, as qualitative descriptions, as appropriate.
This test can measure the flammability via the use of high-speed photographic or video equipment.
Temperature of the ignition source can be measured via a calibrated thermocouple pyrometer, calorimeter or IR thermometer with an appropriate range.
This test is not designed to provide a PASS or NO PASS status for a switch, rather, it is designed to provide a “grade” for the level of flammability of a membrane switch assembly (as defined in 3.1.10). The end user should make the final determination if the level of flammability is acceptable for the particular application.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flammability characteristics of a membrane switch.
1.2 This test method defines the MSB rating of a membrane switch. Each character of the MSB rating represents a discrete characteristic of a membrane switch performance under destructive thermal loading.
1.3 This test procedure will be destructive, but should provide an insight into the relative performance flame-resistance characteristics of differing designs or assemblies, or both.
1.4 This test method will focus on the use of convective contact (burner flame) method for ignition, though other methods of ignition are available.
1.5 This test method is designed to determine if the membrane switch assembly will add (or detract) from the flame propagation from an exterior flame/fire source.
1.6 If this test is intended to be used for an internal flammability source then set up the unit under test (UUT) appropriately and note it in the test scope and results.
1.7 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.
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Designation:F2866 −11
Standard Test Method for
1
Flammability of a Membrane Switch in Defined Assembly
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2866; 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.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flam- 3.1 Definitions:
mability characteristics of a membrane switch. 3.1.1 burn damage—percentageoftheUUTthatisdamaged
due to burn test. This is a visiual observation.
1.2 This test method defines the MSB rating of a membrane
3.1.2 flame propagation—refers to patterns in the flame
switch. Each character of the MSB rating represents a discrete
front that are examined (for example, uniform rate of advance,
characteristic of a membrane switch performance under de-
spotty ignition or charring, etc.). These observations are
structive thermal loading.
qualitative and should be noted in the data field.
1.3 This test procedure will be destructive, but should
3.1.3 flame spread rate (FSR)—the rate at which a flame
provide an insight into the relative performance flame-
front travels along the surfaces of tested materials/assemblies,
resistance characteristics of differing designs or assemblies, or
typically measured in mm/s or in./min.
both.
3.1.4 flame target area—refers to the normalized target area
1.4 This test method will focus on the use of convective
of a UUTthat will be used for ignition location.Any variations
contact (burner flame) method for ignition, though other
should be noted.
methods of ignition are available.
3.1.5 flame time (F ) or flame endurance—amount of
time
1.5 This test method is designed to determine if the mem-
time, usually in seconds, that a self-sustaining flame will
brane switch assembly will add (or detract) from the flame
endure after removal of initial ignition source before flame on
propagation from an exterior flame/fire source.
UUT is extinguished.
1.6 If this test is intended to be used for an internal
3.1.6 flame time of drippings (F )—amount of time
time,drip
flammability source then set up the unit under test (UUT)
that burning drippings, if any, remain burning. Typically
appropriately and note it in the test scope and results.
measured in seconds.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.7 gauze ignition—this is a verification that UUT ignites
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the gauze.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.8 ignition source—the source that provides the heat-flux
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
to begin the flammability test. This test method will recom-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mend a convective flame for the ignition source, however, care
should be taken that any comparative tests should use the same
2. Referenced Documents
method of ignition.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.9 mass-loss (m )—the mass from a test specimen it
loss
E906 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
lost to smoke, vaporization and char debris carried away or
Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile
fallen away, or both, during the flammability test cycle.
Method
Typically measured in grams (average).
3.1.10 membrane switch assembly—the membrane switch
should not be tested in its unmounted state. The switch sample
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F01 on
should be mounted onto the final end-use enclosure, panel,
Electronics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F01.18 on Membrane
bezel, or agreed upon material.
Switches.
3.1.10.1 Discussion—Assembly Specimen: This test method
Current edition approved July 1, 2011. Published August 2011. Originally
is trying to provide a practical world analog for the results
approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F2866-10. DOI:
10.1520/F2866-11.
herein obtained.As a result, the unit under test (UUT) must in
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the final mounted condition. The test is able to show flame-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
resistance in the final assembly as it interacts with the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. membrane switch’s construction.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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F2866−11
3.1.11 MSB—rating to quantify the burn characteristics of a (as defined in 3.1.10). The end user should make the fin
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:F2866–10 Designation: F2866 – 11
Standard Test Method for
1
Flammability of a Membrane Switch in Defined Assembly
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2866; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flammability characteristics of a membrane switch.
1.2 This test method defines the MSB rating of a membrane switch. Each character of the MSB rating represents a discrete
characteristic of a membrane switch performance under destructive thermal loading.
1.3 This test procedure will be destructive, but should provide an insight into the relative performance flame-resistance
characteristics of differing designs or assemblies, or both.
1.4 This test method will focus on the use of convective contact (burner flame) method for ignition, though other methods of
ignition are available.
1.5 This test method is designed to determine if the membrane switch assembly will add (or detract) from the flame propagation
from an exterior flame/fire source.
1.6 If this test is intended to be used for an internal flammability source then set up the unit under test (UUT) appropriately and
note it in the test scope and results.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E906 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 burn damage—percentage of the UUT that is damaged due to burn test. This is a visiual observation.
3.1.2 flame propagation—refers to patterns in the flame front that are examined (for example, uniform rate of advance, spotty
ignition or charring, etc.). These observations are qualitative and should be noted in the data field.
3.1.3 flame spread rate (FSR)—described as the —the rate at which a flame front will travel travels along the surfaces of tested
materials/assemblies. T, typically measured in mm/s or in./min.
3.1.4 flame target area—refers to the normalized target area of a UUT that will be used for ignition location. Any variations
should be noted.
3.1.5 flame time (F ) or flame endurance—amount of time, usually in seconds, that a self-sustaining flame will endure after
time
removal of initial ignition source before flame on UUT is extinguished.
3.1.6 flame time of drippings (F )—amount of time that burning drippings, if any, remain burning. Typically measured in
time,drip
seconds.
3.1.7 gauze ignition—this is a verification that UUT ignites the gauze.
3.1.8 ignition source—the source that provides the heat-flux to begin the flammability test. This test method will recommend
a convective flame for the ignition source, however, care should be taken that any comparative tests should use the same method
of ignition.
3.1.9 mass-loss (m )—the mass from a test specimen it lost to smoke, vaporization and char debris carried away or fallen
loss
away, or both, during the flammability test cycle. Typically measured in grams (average).
3.1.10 membrane switch assembly—themembraneswitchshouldnotbetestedinitsunmountedstate.Theswitchsampleshould
be mounted onto the final end-use enclosure, panel, bezel, or agreed upon material.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F01 on Electronics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F01.18 on Membrane Switches.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2010. Published January 2011. DOI: 10.1520/F2866-10.
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2011.PublishedAugust2011.Originallyapprovedin2010.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2010asF2866-10.DOI:10.1520/F2866-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2866 – 11
3.1.10.1 Discussion—Assembly Specimen: This test method is trying
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