ASTM D2843 - Smoke Density from Burning Plastics
Standard: ASTM D2843 Standard Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics
Scope: Per ASTM D2843: "This fire-test-response test method covers a laboratory procedure for measuring and observing the relative amounts of smoke obscuration produced by the burning or decomposition of plastics. It is intended to be used for measuring the smoke-producing characteristics of plastics under controlled conditions of combustion or decomposition. Correlation with other fire conditions is not implied. The measurements are made in terms of the loss of light transmission through a collected volume of smoke produced under controlled, standardized conditions. The apparatus is constructed so that the flame and smoke is observable during the test."
Products: Plastics
Procedure: Per ASTM D2843: "The test specimen is exposed to flame for the duration of the test, and the smoke is substantially trapped in the chamber in which combustion occurs. A 25 by 25 by 6-mm (1 by 1 by 1/4-in.) specimen is placed on supporting metal screen and burned in a laboratory test chamber (Fig. 1) under active flame conditions using a propane burner operating at a pressure of 276 kPa (40 psi). The 300 by 300 by 790-mm (12 by 12 by 31-in.) test chamber is instrumented with a light source, photoelectric cell, and meter to measure light absorption horizontally across the 300-mm (12-in.) light beam path. The chamber is closed during the 4-min test period except for the 25-mm (1-in.) high ventilation openings around the bottom."
Result: A smoke density rating is reported.
Technical Equivalent: ISO 871-1996