SIST EN 14090:2004

Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the screening of space materials

This European Standard specifies a multi­test procedure for the determination of the flammability char-acteristics of non­metallic materials under a set of closely controlled conditions. The test procedure cov-ers both individual materials and materials used in configuration. This standard describes a series of tests to provide data for aid in the evaluation of the suitability of materials for use in a space vehicle crew compartment. The data obtained are in respect to the ease of ignition and the flame propagation char-acteristics of materials.

Raumfahrtproduktsicherung - Brennverhaltenstest für die Auswahl von Raumfahrtmaterialien

Diese Europäische Norm legt Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung des Brennverhaltens von nichtmetallischen Werkstoffen unter definierten Bedingungen fest. Diese Verfahren gelten sowohl für Werkstoffe, die allein, wie auch für solche, die im Verbund eingesetzt werden. Die Ergebnisse der Prüfungen sollen eine Beurteilung der Eignung von Werkstoffen für den Einsatz in Mannschaftsräumen von Raumfahrzeugen ermöglichen. Die Prüfergebnisse lassen Schlussfolgerungen hinsichtlich der Entflammbarkeit der Werkstoffe wie auch hinsichtlich der Flammenaus-breitungseigenschaften zu.

Assurance produit des projets spatiaux - Essai de flammabilité pour la sélection des matériaux d'un projet spatial

La présente Norme européenne spécifie une procédure a essais multiples permettant de déterminer les caractéristiques d'inflammabilité des matériaux non métalliques dans un ensemble de conditions strictement contrôlées. La procédure d'essai couvre a la fois les matériaux individuels et l'ensemble des matériaux utilisés en configuration. La présente norme décrit une série d'essais destinés a fournir des indications permettant d'évaluer l'aptitude des matériaux a etre employés dans le poste d'équipage d'un véhicule spatial. Les données obtenues concernent la facilité d'inflammation des matériaux et leurs caractéristiques de propagation des flammes.

Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the screening of space materials

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2004
• Withdrawal Date: 01-Dec-2014
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 49.025.01 - Materials for aerospace construction in general
• ICS: 49.140 - Space systems and operations
• Technical Committee: I08 - Imaginarni 08
• Current Stage: 9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Due Date: 24-Dec-2014
• Completion Date: 02-Dec-2014
• Mandate: M/237 - Mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI for standardization in the field of equipment for the space industry
• Ref Project: EN 14090:2002 - Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the screening of space materials

Relations

• Replaced By: SIST EN 16602-70-21:2015 - Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the screening of space materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Replaced By: SIST EN 16602-70-21:2015 - Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the screening of space materials
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 14090:2004
01-maj-2004
Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the screening of space
materials
Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the screening of space materials
Raumfahrtproduktsicherung - Brennverhaltenstest für die Auswahl von
Raumfahrtmaterialien
Assurance produit des projets spatiaux - Essai de flammabilité pour la sélection des
matériaux d'un projet spatial
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 14090:2002
ICS:
13.220.40 Sposobnost vžiga in Ignitability and burning
obnašanje materialov in behaviour of materials and
proizvodov pri gorenju products
49.025.01 Materiali za letalsko in Materials for aerospace
vesoljsko gradnjo na splošno construction in general
49.140 Vesoljski sistemi in operacije Space systems and
operations
SIST EN 14090:2004 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 14090
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
February 2002
ICS 49.025.01; 49.140
English version
Space product assurance - Flammability testing for the
screening of space materials
Assurance produit des projets spatiaux - Essai de Raumfahrtproduktsicherung - Brennverhaltenstest für die
flammabilité pour la sélection des matériaux d'un projet Auswahl von Raumfahrtmaterialien
spatial
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 26 December 2001.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2002 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14090:2002 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
Contents
page
Foreword. 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope. 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 7
3.1 Terms and definitions. 7
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 7
4 Test procedure . 8
4.1 Preparatory conditions . 8
4.1.1 Hazards, health and safety precautions . 8
4.1.2 Preparation of samples .8
4.1.3 Facilities . 8
4.1.4 Equipment. 9
4.2 Test methods . 9
4.2.1 Categories. 9
4.2.2 Screening tests . 10
4.2.3 Test 4: Configuration test method. 27
5 Quality assurance. 28
5.1 General. 28
5.2 Data. 28
5.3 Nonconformance. 28
5.4 Calibration . 28
5.5 Traceability. 28
Annex A (informative) Preparation and qualification of chemical igniters . 29
A.1 General. 29
A.2 Safety requirements . 29
A.3 Materials and equipment.29
A.3.1 Hexamethylenetetramine (HMT). 29
A.3.2 Anhydrous sodium metasilicate . 29
A.3.3 Gum arabic (acacia).29
A.3.4 Hammer mill. 29
2

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
A.3.5 Glove box with a temperature/humidity meter . 29
A.3.6 Bags  . 29
A.3.7 040 mesh screen. 29
A.3.8 Fume hood . 30
A.3.9 Respirator with organic canisters. 30
A.3.10 Deionized water . 30
A.3.11 250 ml burette. 30
A.3.12 Heavy duty electric mixer. 30
A.3.13 Spatula. 30
A.3.14 Plastic trays. 30
A.3.15 Conveyor belt. 30
A.3.16 Extruder . 30
A.3.17 Cutting tools . 30
A.3.18 Drying racks. 30
A.3.19 Desiccator and desiccant. 30
A.3.20 Scale .30
A.3.21 Plastic corrugated holder . 30
A.3.22 Certified breating air. 31
A.3.23 Voltage source. 31
A.3.24 90 mm, bare nickel chromium wire. 31
A.3.25 Calibrated ruler . 31
A.3.26 Test chamber. 31
A.3.27 Calibrated stop watch . 31
A.3.28 Soft bristled brush. 31
A.3.29 Plastic container (box) . 31
A.3.30 Foam corrugated wrap. 31
A.4 Grinding the igniter mix . 31
A.5 Weighing the igniter mix. 32
A.6 Adding water . 32
A.7 Extruding the igniters. 32
A.8 Curing, cutting and weighing the igniters . 33
A.9 Certifying the igniters. 33
A.10 Waste disposal . 34
A.11 Packaging and storing igniters . 34
Bibliography . 36
Figures
Figure 1 — Diagram of the equipment used to determine the oxygen concentration limit. 15
Figure 2 — Frame used to fix the sample . 16
Figure 3 — Sample holder. 17
Figure 4 — Sample holder. 18
Figure 5 — Samples from thermoplastic polymer materials. 19
Figure 6 — Test set up for flammability of electric wires under heated wire conditions at 25 % by
volume oxygen . 21
3

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
Figure 7 — General arrangement of modified burner and flame dimensions . 24
Figure 8 — General arrangement of apparatus for flammability test . 25
Tables
Table 1 — Description of test equipment (as per Figure 6). 22
4

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
Foreword
This document EN 14090:2002 has been prepared by CMC.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2002, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by August 2002.
1)
It is based on a previous version originally prepared by the ECSS product assurance working group,
reviewed by the ECSS Technical Panel and approved by the ECSS Steering Board. The European Co-
operation for Space Standardization (ECSS) is a cooperative effort of the European Space Agency, Na-
tional Space Agencies and European industry associations for the purpose of developing and maintain-
ing common standards.
This standard is one of the series of space standards intended to be applied together for the manage-
ment, engineering and product assurance in space projects and applications.
Requirements in this standard are defined in terms of what shall be accomplished, rather than in terms
of how to organize and perform the necessary work. This allows existing organizational structures and
methods to be applied where they are effective, and for the structures and methods to evolve as neces-
sary without rewriting the standards.
The formulation of this standard takes into account the existing ISO 9000 family of documents.
Annex A is informative.
This standard includes a Bibliography.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the fol-
lowing countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

1)
ECSS-Q-70-21
5

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
Introduction
All non-metallic materials are inherently flammable, the degree to which this is true is dependant on the
chemical nature of the material itself and the environment to which the material is exposed. In the closed
environment of a manned spacecraft this can lead to a potentially dangerous situation and close control
is therefore required.
6

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies a multi-test procedure for the determination of the flammability char-
acteristics of non-metallic materials under a set of closely controlled conditions. The test procedure cov-
ers both individual materials and materials used in configuration. This standard describes a series of
tests to provide data for aid in the evaluation of the suitability of materials for use in a space vehicle crew
compartment. The data obtained are in respect to the ease of ignition and the flame propagation char-
acteristics of materials.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text, and the publications are
listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publica-
tions apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For un-
dated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including amendments).
EN 13701, Space systems - Glossary of terms.
EN 14097, Space product assurance — Nonconformance control system.
ECSS-Q-20, Space product assurance — Quality assurance.
ECSS-Q-70, Space product assurance — Materials, mechanical parts and processes.
DIN 50050-1,Testing of materials; burning behaviour of materials; small burning cabinet.
ISO 6941:1984, Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Measurement of flame spread properties of ver-
tically oriented specimens.
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN 13701, ECSS-Q-70
and the following apply.
3.1.1
C
lim
minimum volumetric concentration of oxygen contained in an oxygen-nitrogen mixture, in the presence
of which a material can still combust after ignition from the bottom
3.1.2
flammability
measure of the ease with which a material is set on fire
3.2 Abbreviated terms
The following abbreviated term is defined and used within this standard.
Abbreviation Meaning
r.m.s. root-mean-square
7

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
4 Test procedure
4.1 Preparatory conditions
4.1.1 Hazards, health and safety precautions
Particular attention shall be given to health and safety precautions. A safety checklist is produced below.
a. Hazards to personnel, equipment and materials shall be controlled and reduced to a minimum.
b. Hazardous substances, items and operations shall be isolated from other activities.
c. Items and controls shall be so located that personnel are not exposed to hazards such as chemical
burns, electric shock, cutting edges, sharp points or toxic atmospheres.
d. Suitable warning and caution notes shall be provided in operations, storage, transport, testing, as-
sembly, maintenance and repair instructions and distinctive markings placed on hazardous items,
equipment or facilities for personnel protection.
4.1.2 Preparation of samples
4.1.2.1 Configuration of samples
Sufficient specimens of the material in their minimum thickness of intended use shall be submitted for
testing (for actual numbers see the individual test methods).
4.1.2.2 Cleaning
The cleaning and other treatment of the samples shall be the same as that to which the sample is sub-
mitted before incorporation into the spacecraft. Further cleaning or treatment shall not be carried out by
the test house.
4.1.2.3 Handling and storage
Contamination of the sample during handling shall be avoided by the use of, for instance, suitable pro-
tective gloves. In addition, samples shall be stored in a cleanliness-controlled area with an ambient tem-
perature of (22 ± 3) ºC and relative humidity of (55 ± 10) %. Coated surfaces shall be shielded from
contact by using polyethylene or polypropylene bags or sheets. Mechanical damage shall be avoided in
the standard way by packing the polyethylene- or polypropylene-wrapped test pieces in clean, dust- and
lint-free material.
Limited-life material shall be labelled with its relative shelf-life and date of manufacture, or date of deliv-
ery if date of manufacture is not known.
4.1.2.4 Identification
Materials submitted for testing shall be accompanied by a clear description of, for instance, the name
and nature of the material or processing.
4.1.3 Facilities
4.1.3.1 Cleanliness
The work area shall be clean and free of dust. Air used for ventilation shall be filtered to prevent con-
tamination of the workpieces by moisture, oil or dust.
8

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
4.1.3.2 Environmental conditions
a. Test process. Preferably the same as for conditioning (see below) unless otherwise stated.
b. Conditioning temperature. See 4.1.2.3 above. This can be achieved either in a conditioning
room, or by the use of desiccators filled with silica gel or a saturated salt solution.
NOTE A saturated salt solution of calcium nitrate gives approximately 51 % humidity at
the testing temperature.
4.1.3.3 Special utilities
Oxygen and nitrogen supplies (minimum purity 99,9 %).
4.1.4 Equipment
4.1.4.1 Test equipment
Suitable test equipment fulfilling the monitoring requirements detailed in the applicable test method shall
be available.
4.1.4.2 Special apparatus
As detailed in the applicable test method.
4.2 Test methods
4.2.1 Categories
Four test methods are included within this Standard. They can be divided into two different categories as
indicated below:
— Screening tests. These are the prime tests to be performed on a material to assess its basic ac-
ceptability or otherwise with respect to flammability. They are designed to test the material under
worst case test conditions, with respect to, for instance, environment, use, or thickness. Two tests
form the basis for acceptance or otherwise of most non-metallic materials (tests 1 and 2) but are
very different in the data generated. The choice of which test method should be used is depend-
ant on the project concerned and shall be specified within the business agreement. Test 3 is re-
lated specifically to wire insulation materials. Materials which meet the requirements of these tests
may be considered for general application, within the constraints of the test conditions used.
— Configuration test. Materials failing to meet the requirements of the applicable screening test
shall be subject to testing in configuration. Materials which are shown to be acceptable in this
manner may be accepted for restricted application, within the constraints of the test conditions
used. Materials which fail this test shall be subject to a deviation request. Examples are:

flammable adhesives where the use is to bond two non-flammable substrates together, or

flammable conformal coatings applied thinly to a non-flammable printed circuit board.
— These tests may be proposed related to the determination of such properties as
Additional tests.
flash and fire point, or heat of combustion. These shall, however, be decided on a case-by-case
basis.
9

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
4.2.2 Screening tests
2)
4.2.2.1 Test 1: Upward propagation test
a. Scope
The purpose of this test is to determine the flammability characteristics of candidate materials
supplied to a standard format when exposed to an ignition source applied at the bottom edge.
This test in general is applicable to NASA payloads (e.g. Space Station, STS). If the materials are
unavailable in the standard format then the test described in subclause 4.2.3 shall be followed.
b. Preparation of specimen
After visual inspection to verify that no cuts, abrasions or other flaws exist, the material samples
shall be prepared as follows:
1. films, fabrics, sheets and composites shall be tested in the “as received” condition. Samples
shall be cut in the form of rectangles 300 mm × 64 mm minimum. Foams and high-bulk materi-
als shall be tested in the “as applied” thickness and have the same minimum dimensions as
specified above;
2. primers, coating materials, paints and pressure-sensitive tapes shall be applied on the sub-
strate materials intended for use, if known. The coatings shall be applied in a thickness
equivalent to normal use and post-cured in accordance with prescribed manufacturing proc-
esses. If the spacecraft substrate is not available, the coatings shall be applied to 300 mm ×
60 mm × 0,075 mm aluminium panels;
3. the test specimens shall be conditioned at (22 ± 3) ºC and (55 ± 10) % relative humidity for
24 h before testing.
c. Test conditions: pressures and atmosphere
The test pressure and atmosphere shall be specified to represent the most hazardous atmos-
phere anticipated in the spacecraft.
d. Test equipment and apparatus

Chamber. The test chamber shall have a volume sufficient to ensure complete combustion of
the sample under test. It shall have therefore a minimum volume of 250 l and be suitably con-
structed to ensure safe operation. A window or viewing port for visual observation and record-
ing shall be included. Internal lighting should be installed. Suitable feed-throughs shall be
available for gas inlets, evacuation, venting to air, and electricity for ignition. Organic materials
used in the construction of the chamber shall be of a type that contribute little or no outgassing
to the chamber.

. Apparatus shall include a pressure gauge capable of measuring pressures
Pressure gauge
to an accuracy of 10 hPa.

2)
Based on NASA STD 6001 Test 1.
10

---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)

. Samples with sufficient rigidity or samples on substrates of sufficient rigidity
Sample holder
and which do not retreat from a heat source by distorting or violently shrinking may be sup-
ported using a simple clamp. Other samples shall be supported in a frame which holds them
taut. The sample holder shall be so constructed as to have the minimum influence on the re-
sult by conducting heat away from the sample.

Ignition source. Ignition of the sample shall be accomplished by employing a regulated en-
ergy source. The ignition source shall consist of a length of AWG 20 gauge Nichrome wire
which has a nominal resistivity of 2,3 /m, sufficient to wind a minimum of three turns of a
3)
Solid igniter or equivalent. The nominal diameter of this igniter is 3 mm with a length of 32
mm. The flame temperature is (1 100 ± 100) ºC and burns for a duration of (25 ± 5) s. The ig-
niter shall be activated by means of a regulated DC power source. The igniter shall be posi-
tioned 6 mm from the lower edge of the sample.
e. Propagation rate indicator
Propagation rate shall be observed and recorded visually in combination with manually activated
timing devices to determine the propagation rate between markers on a scale positioned on the
sample holder. Timing shall be started at the first visual indication of combustion and stopped
when the flame ceases to propagate upwards. Where appropriate it is also acceptable to record
the total burn time and remove the sample to measure the total burn length either directly or by
subtraction. In this case care shall be taken to avoid overestimating the burn length by measuring
soot deposits higher up the sample.
f. Pretest procedure
Before each series of tests the equipment shall be calibrated in the following manner:
1. set the pressure regulators on the oxygen and nitrogen lines 0,17 MPa - 0,21 MPa. Close the
valve for the oxygen inlet to the equipment and open the nitrogen valve. Adjust the flow to give
a rate of 100 ml/min through the analyser. The meter reading with only nitrogen flowing should
be 0 %. Adjust the calibration zero until this value is obtained;
2. repeat the procedure, but with the nitrogen flow off and only oxygen passing through the
equipment. The meter should now read 100 %. If this is not the case, then adjust the calibration
control to bring it to 100 %;
3. repeat steps 1. and 2. if necessary.
Instead of the method referred to above, bottles of calibrated gasses having the worst-case at-
mosphere may be used.
g. Test procedure
1. Adjust nitrogen and oxygen needle valves to produce the test atmosphere (step f.).
2. Place the sample in position in the chamber.
3. Place igniter in coil of Nichrome wire and place between electrodes in the chamber.
4. Evacuate chamber to below 1 400 Pa.
5. Fill chamber with test atmosphere.
6. Allow the sample to soak in the test gas mixture for a period of at least three minutes.
7. Start video recording.

3)
A suitable source of igniters is available from NASA White Sands test facility. In addition a method for the prepa-
ration of suitable igniters is included in annex A.
11

---------------------- Page: 13 ----------------------

SIST EN 14090:2004
EN 14090:2002 (E)
8. Apply current to the igniter until it ignites and then immediately stop the current.
9. Record whether the sample is non-combustible or self-extinguishing or burning.
10. Note combustion characteristics (e.g. nature and colour of flame, amount of smoke, burning
drops, sputtering, glowing combustion).
11. Record the maximum pressure reached in the chamber.
h. Acceptance criteria
Materials shall be considered non-combustible, or self-extinguishing if the combustion zone
propagates less than 150 mm into the sample with minimum-use thickness and the time of burn-
ing does not exceed 10 min. There shall be no sparking, sputtering, or dripping of flaming parti-
cles from the test sample. A minimum of three samples shall be tested. Failure of any of the three
constitutes failure of the material.
i. Test results
The following properties shall be recorded:

Complete description of sample tested, including trade name, manufacturer, chemical nature,
dimensions, test atmosphere and processing details.

Time, length and rate of burning. Observations concerning the nature of the flame noted in
step g. and percentage oxygen remaining at the end of test. If the oxygen concentration shows
a val
...