ASTM D1929 – Ignition Temperature of Plastics

Standard: ASTM D1929 Standard Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics

Scope: Per ASTM D1929: "This fire test response test method covers a laboratory determination of the flash ignition temperature and spontaneous ignition temperature of plastics using a hot-air furnace."

Products: Plastics

Procedure: A test specimen is placed onto a pan with thermocouples in prescribed locations and then lowered into a vertical tube furnace set to a specified air temperature. The default initial test temperature is 400°C when no prior knowledge of the probable ignition temperature of the material is available, or 50°C lower than a known approximate ignition temperature. Once the specimen is inside the furnace, a timer is started and a pilot flame is lit when determining Flash Ignition Temperature (FIT). No pilot flame is used for Spontaneous Ignition Temperature (SIT). During the 10-minute test, the specimen is observed for evidence of combustion, including: flaming, glowing, flashing, explosion, or rapid rise in temperature. After 10 minutes, depending on whether ignition has or has not occurred, the temperature is lowered or raised by 50°C accordingly, and the test is repeated with a fresh specimen. When the range within which the ignition temperature lies has been determined, the test starts 10°C below the highest temperature within this range, and continues by dropping the temperature in 10°C steps until the temperature is reached at which there is no ignition during a 10-minute period. The lowest air temperature at which ignition is observed is recorded as the FIT (if pilot flame is used) or SIT (if no pilot flame is used).

Result: A Spontaneous Ignition Temperature (SIT) and a Flash Ignition Temperature (FIT) are reported.

Similar to: ISO 871-1996