ASTM D4206-96

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 4206 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Sustained Burning of Liquid Mixtures Using the Small Scale
Open-Cup Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4206; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method may be used in conjunction with a flash point determination. If the flash point of
a mixture of flammable and nonflammable liquids or liquids of widely different flash points is below
the upper limit of a flammability classification (for example, 100°F specified by the U.S. Department
of Transportation), this test may be conducted to determine the sustained burning characteristics of the
mixture.
This test method is a modification of the test for combustibility now incorporated as Schedule 2 of
the “Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquified Petroleum Gases Regulation, 1972” of the United
Kingdom under The Factories Act, 1961, which is also issued as British Standard BS-3900, Part A-11,
Small Scale Test for Combustibility. This sustained burning test was studied and proposed by the
ASTM Coordinating Committee for Flash Point and Related Properties. The major purpose of this test
is similar to that of the British test—to provide a method for determining the sustained burning
characteristics by directly observing this property rather than by deducing them from the flash point.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2 3
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for determining 2.1 British Standards:
the sustained burning characteristics of mixtures of flammable BS-3900, Part A-11, Small Scale Test for Combustibility
and nonflammable liquids and also mixtures containing liquids
3. Summary of Test Method
with widely different flash points.
3.1 A block of aluminum alloy, or other nonrusting metal of
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe
the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and suitable heat conductivity, with a concave depression (called
the well) is heated to the required temperature of 120°F (49°C).
flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to
describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of materials, A standard source of flame, capable of being swung over the
center of the well and at a given distance from it, is attached to
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However,
results of the test may be used as elements of a fire-hazard the metal block.
3.2 Two millilitres of the product under test are transferred
assessment or a fire-risk assessment which takes into account
all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the to the well. After the product has reached the stated tempera-
ture, the flame is passed over the well, held there for a specified
fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the time, and then removed. The time of sustained burning is then
noted.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 Mixtures of flammable liquids and nonflammable liq-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
uids, such as an alcohol and water mixture, are classified by the
U. S. Government by the definition of flammable liquid based
on a closed-cup flash point method. Thus, mixtures may be
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
classed as flammable even though they do not sustain burning.
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
This test method determines the ability of a liquid mixture to
Subcommittee D01.22 on Health and Safety.
sustain burning and, when used with a closed-cup flash point
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1996. Published April 1996. Originally
published as D 4206 – 82. Last previous edition D 4206 – 89 (1994).
McKelvie, A. N., “A Test for Ability to Support Combustion for Liquids
Including Paints and Allied Products,” Journal of Oil Co. Chemical Assoc., 1972,
Vol 55, pp. 1086–1095.
Available from British Standards Institute, 2 Park St., London, England
W1A2BS or ANSI, 11 W. 42nd St. New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4206
method, indicates the flammability characteristics of the mix- 5.2 Thermometer, 32 to 230°F (−5 to 110°C), traceable to
ture. the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
5.3 Graduated Pipet or Hypodermic Syringe, capable of
delivering 2 6 0.1 mL.
6. Preparation of Sample
6.1 Obtain a representative sample of the product under test,
mixing it thoroughly, especially if it has a tendency to layer,
and keep in an airtight container.
6.2 Because of the possibility of loss of volatile constitu-
ents, the sample should receive only the minimum treatment to
assure uniformity. After removing the specimen, immediately
close the sample container tightly to assure that no volatile
flammable components escape from the container. (Otherwise
a new sample may be necessary if further testing is required.)
6.3 Do not open containers unnecessarily. Do not make
transfers unless the sample temperature is at 100°F (37.8°C) or
below, except for samples that are too viscous to be handled at
that temperature. In these cases, transfer the samples at the
lowest possible temperature at which the sample can be
accurately measured into the cup.
6.4 Discard samples in leaky containers.
6.5 Do not store samples in plastic (polyethylene, polypro-
pylene, etc.) bottles, since volatile material may diffuse
through the walls of the bottles.
7. Correction for Barometric Pressure
7.1 When the barometric pressure differs from 760 mm Hg
(10
...