Flammability testing

The well-known flashpoint is a measure of the flammability of liquids. 

The flammability of solid substances is determined by burning rate tests [10,134,135]. From a mold, a pile of the substance under investigation is placed on a noncombustible, nonporous, and low heat-conducting base plate. One end of the pile is ignited by a hot gas flame or a hot platinum wire (temperatures above 1000°C). The burning rate is established and measured. 

CHEMICAL REACTIVITY CONSIDERATIONS IN PROCESS/REACTOR DESIGN AND OPERATION 

An important theme continuing throughout Chapter 3 is the concept of inherent safety. In general, the scope of all safety efforts is to reduce the 

The first step in approaching inherent safe design is to identify and understand basic thermodynamic data. A systematic approach to inherent safety, as outlined throughout this book, requires information concerning  

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The results of small-scale flammability tests are not intended to reflect the hazards of this or any other material under actual fire conditions. 

Fuels such as diesel and kerosene readily absorb hydrocarbon vapors, the total uptake and absorption rate depending on both chemical and physical factors. If a soluble test gas is introduced above a charged test oil the concentration of flammable test gas therefore decreases with time. Liquid mist and spray produced by charged liquid increase the absorption rate relative to a quiescent liquid surface. As discussed in A-5-4, absorption could lead to an underestimation of test gas MIE near the liquid surface unless the rate of test gas introduction is sufficiently high to offset the rate of removal. Table 3-8.1.2 shows solubilities of a selection of gases in a mineral-based transformer oil at ambient temperature and pressure [200]. 

For thermoplastic composites, results of flammability tests are generally reported on the basis of oxygen index values and/or UL-94 ratings (e.g. (11-12). The general problems associated with composites and multicomponent systems have not been addressed in depth and published data pertain primarily to specific glass-filled resins offered by manufacturers, or to composite systems designed to meet the specifications of a particular end use. 

I wish to acknowledge the excellent contributions of Charles A. Tennesen for compounding and testing, Ray Skok for flammability testing, and John Jessup for mechanical property testing. 

Sarkos, C. P., Filipczak, R. A. and Abramowitz, A., "Preliminary Evaluation of an Improved Flammability Test Method for Aircraft Materials." (DOT/FAA/CT-84/22). Federal Aviation Admin., Atlantic City Airport (1984). 

Other screening tests, including shock sensitivity and flammability tests, and thermodynamic computations raised no specific concerns. After the explosion, the material was tested in an ARC. Such testing showed that a typical batch of the compound could self-heat to full decomposition if held under adiabatic conditions at 120 to 125°C for 24 hours. These tests were run within the normal processing temperature range, and the ARC test results were hailed as demonstrating the likely cause of the accident. 

Product examinations/investigations, law enforcement authority for, 78 27 Product flammability tests, 7 7 458 459 Product handling... 

Ukraine, titanium production in, 24 847 UL 94 flame testing, 19 588 UL94 flammability test, 10 175-176 Ulexite (boronatrocalcite cottonball), 4 133t, 241, 243t, 245, 5 785t Ullmann condensation reaction, 9 309, 310, 444... 

Preparation of Samples for Flammability Testing. Samples of the phosphorus containing terepolymers and of the polymer blends were converted to film by compression molding on a Carver Laboratory Press with electrically heated platens. The films were prepared at 250°C and 20,000 lb. pressure, using a 10 mil thick frame mold. Samples (2" x 1/4") were cut from this film for flammability testing. 

The only real sources of difference between the additive and comonomer systems would be the potential lack of homogeneity of the polymer blends, which may result either through incomplete blending or segregation by phase separation. Since such nonhomogeneity could lead to irreproducibility in the burning trials, this would be detected by the flammability testing. 

Ester interchange between the additive and polymer would be expected if the mixture were held for an excessive time in the melt. In order to avoid the potential for interchange, the blendings were conducted in solution and heated only for a time necessary to melt press films for flammability testing. An alternative method of film preparation by solvent casting of films was discarded due to difficulties in preparing uniform, sufficiently thick, solvent free films for evaluation. 

If flame radiation occurs in the mass burning process—or any other radiation is imposed, as is frequently the case in plastic flammability tests—one can obtain a convenient expression for the mass burning rate provided one assumes that only the gasifying surface, and none of the gases between the radiation source and the surface, absorbs radiation. In this case Fineman [32] showed that the stagnant film expression for the burning rate can be approximated by... 

One of the most useful laboratory flammability tests is the oxygen index (Of) test (ASTM D-2043 and ASTM D-2863). In this test, the polymer is burned by a candle in controlled... 

Some claims appear in the patent literature relating to the thermal and flammability performance of polyurethanes created from ESO polyols [190], but such claims should be carefully evaluated under the conditions of local, state or federal flammability testing methods, or of regional constmction regulations. 

Inflammability of Explosives Tests (Flammability Tests). See also Index of Inflammability in Vol 1, p XVII. These tests are designed to ascertain the behavior of explosives towards open flame. The following tests are described by Reilly (Ref 1) ... 

Flammability test, known as the AATCC or inclined flammability test , was developed in the USA during WWII and is as follows ... 

It is necessary, in approaching most problems to obtain the limits of flammability of the particular gas mixture in question. Few industrial fuel gases are composed of pure gases or vapors, but are mixtures in most cases of many different gases. If the equipment and time are available, a number of mixtures of die fuel gas-air mixtures may be prepared and their flammabilities tested by ignition but it is much easier to determine the flammability limits of complex gas mixtures by calculation. Experience has shown that the results obtained are sufficiently dependable. 

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