ASTM D8175-18

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8175 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Finite Flash Point Determination of Liquid Wastes by
Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8175; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This flash point test method is a dynamic test method that depends on specified rates of heating to
be able to meet the precision of the test method. The rate of heating may not in all cases give the
precision quoted in the test method because of the low thermal conductivity of some materials.
Flash point values are a function of the apparatus design, the condition of the apparatus used, and
theoperationalprocedurecarriedout.Flashpointcan,therefore,onlybedefinedintermsofastandard
test method, and no general valid correlation can be guaranteed between results obtained by different
test methods or with different test apparatus.
This test method, and Test Method D8174, are used to determine the flash point of liquid wastes.
These procedures are primarily derived from Procedures A and B of Test Methods D93 (EN ISO
2719), and are informally known as Pensky-Martens.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for a finite flash
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
point test, within the range of 20 to 70°C, of liquid wastes
Warning statements appear throughout. Also see applicable
usingamanualorautomatedPensky-Martensclosedcuptester.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for information about certified
1.2 This test method contains two procedures and is appli-
reference materials (CRMs) or secondary working standards
cable to liquid waste, liquid phase(s) of multi-phase waste,
(SWSs) that may be used in the analysis. SDS may also be
liquidwastewithsuspendedsolids,orliquidwastethattendsto
useful if some components of the waste sample are known.
form a surface film under test conditions.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
NOTE 1—If the liquid waste is of a viscosity such that the subsample
volume will not be uniformly heated under the test conditions even with ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the increased stir rate of Procedure B, then use the small-scale method
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
(Test Method D8174 for Finite Flash Point Determination of Liquid
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Wastes by Small-Scale Closed Cup Tester).
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 ProcedureAisapplicabletonon-viscousliquidsthatare
without suspended solids. Procedure B is applicable to viscous
2. Referenced Documents
liquids, liquids with suspended solids, or liquids that form
2.1 ASTM Standards:
films.
D93Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
NOTE 2—This test method is not applicable for corrosive liquid wastes
Closed Cup Tester
(see Test Method D8174).
D6299Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance
1.4 Units—ThevaluesgiveninSIunitsaretoberegardedas
and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical
the standard.
Measurement System Performance
D8174Test Method for Finite Flash Point Determination of
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Liquid Wastes by Small-Scale Closed Cup Tester
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Analytical Methods. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved March 15, 2018. Published March 2018. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 2018. DOI: 10.1520/D8175-18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8175 − 18
E502Test Method for Selection and Use of ASTM Stan- conditions.Itisonlyoneofanumberofpropertiesthatmustbe
dards for the Determination of Flash Point of Chemicals considered in assessing the overall flammability hazard of a
by Closed Cup Methods liquid waste material.
E1137/E1137MSpecification for Industrial Platinum Resis-
5.3 Flash point can indicate the possible presence of highly
tance Thermometers
volatile and flammable materials in a relatively nonvolatile or
E2251Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
nonflammable material.
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
3 6. Interferences
2.2 ISO Standards:
6.1 Metals such as brass can react with corrosive wastes to
ISO 17034General Requirements for the Competence of
Reference Material Producers give off hydrogen gas, which can cause a false positive flash.
Regardless of film formation, all corrosive wastes shall be
ISO Guide 35Reference Materials—General and Statistical
Principles for Certification analyzed using a small-scale tester with a stainless steel cup
(Test Method D8174).
ISO 2719Determination of Flash Point—Pensky-Martens
Closed Cup Method
6.2 Halogenated Constituents:
ISO 60751Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers
6.2.1 The presence of some halogenated constituents in the
and Platinum Temperature Sensors
waste may cause the flash to appear green instead of blue.
6.2.2 Some halogenated compounds can flash and some
3. Terminology
halogenated compounds only burn. The burning of a haloge-
3.1 Definitions: natedconstituentwithinthewasteshouldnotbeconfusedwith
3.1.1 ambient temperature, n—in waste flash point test a flash. See Appendix X1 for additional information.
methods,thetemperatureintheimmediatesurroundingswhere
6.3 Because of the nature of the waste itself, the flash point
the flash point apparatus is located.
results of the waste can be inconsistent (greater than reproduc-
3.1.2 dynamic, adj—condition in which the vapor above the ibility).An example would include volatile droplets suspended
subsample and the subsample are not in temperature equilib-
in a gel. Additional testing may be required to determine the
rium at the time that the ignition source is applied. lowest detectable flash point.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—This is primarily caused by the heating
7. Apparatus
of the subsample at the constant prescribed rate with the vapor
7.1 Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Apparatus (Manual)—This
temperature lagging behind the subsample temperature.
apparatus consists of the test cup, cover and shutter, stirring
3.1.3 flash point, n—in waste flash point test methods, the
device, heating source, ignition source, temperature measuring
lowest temperature of the subsample, adjusted to account for
device, air bath, and top plate described in detail in AnnexA1
thevariation in atmosphericpressurefrom101.3kPa,atwhich
and Annex A2. The assembled manual apparatus, test cup,
the application of an ignition source causes the vapors of the
cover, and test cup assembly are illustrated inFigs.A1.1-A1.4,
subsample to ignite under the specified conditions of the test.
respectively. Dimensions are listed respectively.
3.1.4 safety check, n—in waste flash point test methods, the
7.2 Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Apparatus (Automated)—
initialdipoftheignitorintothetestcupwithsubsample,before
This apparatus is an automated flash point instrument that is
the heating process begins, to check if the sample has a flash
capableofperformingthetestinaccordancewithSection12of
point at or below 20°C.
thistestmethod.Theapparatusshallusethetestcup,coverand
shutter, stirring device, heating source, ignition source, and
4. Summary of Test Method
temperature measuring device described in detail in AnnexA1
4.1 A brass test cup of specified dimensions, filled to the
and Annex A2.
inside mark with a waste subsample and fitted with a cover of
7.3 Draft Shield—A shield located at the back and on two
specified dimensions, is heated and the subsample stirred at
sides of the instrument, for use in circumstances in which
specifiedrates,usingoneoftwodefinedprocedures,AorB.An
protection from drafts does not exist.
ignition source is directed into the test cup at regular intervals
with simultaneous interruption of the stirring, until a flash is
7.4 Barometer—With accuracy of 0.5kPa or better. Barom-
detected. The flash point is reported as defined in 3.1.3.
etersthathavebeenpre-correctedforuseatweatherstationsor
airports are not suitable.
5. Significance and Use
8. Reagents and Materials
5.1 This procedure is intended to be used to evaluate the
8.1 Cleaning Solvent—Use a solvent suitable for cleaning
ignitability of liquid wastes.
out the subsample from the test cup. Two commonly used
5.2 Flash point measures the response of the subsample to
solventsaretolueneandacetone. Warning—Toluene,acetone,
appliedheatandanignitionsourceundercontrolledlaboratory
and many solvents are flammable and a health hazard.
8.2 Butane, Propane, and Natural Gas—For use as a pilot
and ignition source (not required if an electric ignitor is used).
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Warning—Butane, propane, and natural gases are flammable
Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org. and a health hazard.
D8175 − 18
8.3 Reference Materials—See Annex A3. or residue from the previous test. Wipe dry with absorbent
paper.Astreamofdry,cleanairmaybeusedtoremovethelast
9. Sampling
traces of solvent. Dispose of solvents and waste material in
9.1 Sampling should address the intended use of the analy- accordance with local regulations.
sis and should include representative subsampling from the
10.5 If not automatically recorded by the instrument, mea-
sourcewastematerial.Whenpossible,obtainatleasta250-mL
sure and record the ambient atmospheric pressure using the
samplefromthesourcewastematerialforsingle-phasewastes.
barometer (7.4) at the time of each test.
If multiple-phase waste is suspected, obtain a greater volume
10.6 An electronic thermal flash detector may be used in
of sample to ensure adequate phase volumes for testing.
lieuofavisualobservationoftheflash.Incasesofdispute,the
Approximately 75mL of subsample is used for each test in a
visual observation shall be used.
finite flash point determination.
9.2 Samples that have multiple phases (layers) shall be
11. Verification of Apparatus
separatedintosinglephases.Eachseparateliquidphaseisthen
11.1 Verify and correct, if necessary, the readings on the
tested.
temperature measuring device (A2.1 and A2.2) at least every
9.3 Store samples in clean, tightly sealed containers at
twelve months according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
normal room temperature (20 to 25°C) or colder. Avoid
and that the temperature measuring device is in accordance
freezing the sample. If the sample is frozen, allow the sample
with Annex A2.
to warm such that it is a liquid. Do not store samples for an
extended period of time in gas-permeable containers such as 11.2 Verify the performance of the apparatus before initial
plastic, because volatile material can diffuse through the walls use and at least once per year by determining the flash point of
of the container. Samples in leaky containers that can lose a CRM. Examples of suitable liquids, and their approximate
volatiles are suspect and may not provide valid results. flashpoints,arelistedinAnnexA3.UseaCRMthathasaflash
pointthatisreasonablyclosetotheexpectedtemperaturerange
NOTE 3—If a regulatory decision point is being assessed for a waste in
of the samples to be tested. The flash point of the reference
a leaky container, the lack of a flash point or a flash point exceeding the
material shall be tested in accordance with Sections 12 and 13.
regulatory decision point may not satisfy the regulatory assessment.
The flash point obtained shall be within the limits stated in
9.4 Erroneously high flash points can be obtained when
Table A3.1 for the identified CRM, or within the limits
precautionsarenottakentoavoidlossofvolatilematerials.Do
calculated for an unlisted CRM (Annex A3).
not open containers unnecessarily.
11.3 Once the performance of the apparatus has been
10. Preparation of Apparatus
verified, the flash point of secondary working standards
10.1 Placetheapparatusonalevel,steadysurface.Testsare (SWSs) can be determined along with their control limits.
to be performed in a draft-free room or compartment. Tests These secondary materials can then be used for more frequent
made in a ventilation hood with active airflow or in any
performance checks (see Annex A3).
location where drafts occur may not be reliable. Use a draft
11.4 When the flash point obtained is not within the limits
shield (7.3) when necessary.
stated in 11.2, check the condition and operation of the
NOTE4—Forsampleswithnoxiousvapors,itispermissibletoplacethe apparatustoensureconformitywiththedetailslistedinAnnex
apparatus with a draft shield in a ventilation hood. The draft may be
A1, especially with regard to tightness of the cover (A1.1.2.1),
adjustedsothatvaporscanbewithdrawnwithoutcausingaircurrentsover
the action of the shutter, the position of the ignition source
the test cup during the ignition source application period.
(A1.1.3), and the angle and position of the temperature
10.2 Read the manufacturer’s instructions on the care and
measuring device.After any adjustment, repeat the test in 11.2
servicing of the apparatus and for the correct operation of any
using a fresh subsample, with special attention to the proce-
controls.
dural details prescribed in this test method.
10.3 Prepare the apparatus for operation in accordance with
11.5 The numerical values obtained during the verification
the manufacturer’s instructions for calibrating, checking, and
check (11.2) shall not be used to provide a bias statement, nor
operating the equipment. Warning—An incorrectly set test
shall they be used to make any correction, such as to the
flame size or incorrect positioning for an electric ignitor can
temperature calibration of the apparatus or to the flash points
significantly affect the test result.
subsequently determined using the apparatus.
10.4 Clean the test cup, cover, and its accessories with an
appropriatecleaningsolvent(8.1)toremoveanytracesofgum
D8175 − 18
FINITE FLASH POINT DETERMINATION
12. Procedure
PROCEDURE A subsample increases by increments of 1°C. Discontinue the
stirring of the subsample and apply the ignition source by
12.1 Non-Viscous Liquids That Are Without Suspended Sol-
operating the mechanism on the cover that controls the shutter
ids:
sothattheignitionsourceisloweredintothevaporspaceofthe
12.1.1 Due to the limited temperature range of this test, all
cup in 0.5s, left in its lowered position for 1s, and quickly
start temperatures for the subsample and test cup shall be at 20
raised to its upward position. If a flash is detected, proceed to
6 5°C.
12.1.7. If no flash is detected, proceed to 12.1.10.
NOTE 5—If ambient temperature is greater than 20°C, refrigeration of
NOTE8—Ifthestartingtemperatureiswellabovetheactualflashpoint,
the subsample and test cup may be required to obtain the starting
the upper explosion limit could be exceeded because the volume of
temperature. It is acceptable for the sample temperature to be lower than
volatilesgeneratedcoulddisplacetheoxygenandnoflashresponsewould
the start temperature of the test at the commencement of the test.
be detected. If this condition is suspected, then use Test Method D8174
and suitable apparatus for below-ambient-temperature flash point testing.
12.1.2 Ensure that the sample is representative of the waste
form being tested (9.1). Fill the test cup with the subsample to
12.1.7 Record the detected flash point (from the reading on
the filling mark inside of the test cup. If too much subsample
the temperature measuring device) and the ambient barometric
has been added to the test cup, remove the excess using a
pressure at the time the ignition source application causes a
syringe or similar device for withdrawal of fluid. Place the
flash in the interior of the test cup. The temperature should be
coveronthetestcupandplacetheassemblyintotheapparatus.
recorded to the nearest 1°C. The sample has flashed when a
Be sure the locating or locking device is properly engaged. If
large flame appears and instantaneously propagates itself over
thetemperaturemeasuringdeviceisnotalreadyinplace,insert
the entire surface of the subsample. Occasionally, particularly
the device into its holder.
neartheactualflashpoint,theapplicationoftheignitionsource
12.1.3 Light the test flame and adjust it to a diameter of 3.2
can cause a blue halo or an enlarged flame; this is not a flash
to 4.8mm, or switch on the electric igniter and adjust the
and should be ignored.
intensity in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Warning—For certain mixtures containing halogenated
Warning—Gas pressure should not be allowed to exceed
hydrocarbons,suchasmethylenechlorideortrichloroethylene,
3kPa.
no flash, as defined, is observed. Instead a significant enlarge-
Warning—Exercise care when using a gas test flame. If it ment of the test flame (not halo effect) and change in color of
should be extinguished, it will not ignite the vapors in the test thetestflamefrombluetoyellowish-orangeoccurs.Continued
cup, and the gas from the test flame that then enters the vapor heating and testing of these samples above ambient tempera-
space can influence testing.
ture can result in significant burning of vapors outside the test
cup and can be a potential fire hazard. See Appendix X1 and
Warning—The operator should exercise caution during the
initial application of the ignition source, since subsamples Appendix X2 for more information. Other halogenated
containing low-flash material can give an abnormally strong compounds, such as 1,2-dichloroethane, can cause the test
flash when the ignition source is first applied. flame or the flash to appear green instead of blue.
12.1.8 When the apparatus has cooled down to a safe
Warning—The operator should exercise caution during the
handling temperature, remove the cover and the test cup and
performance of this test method. The temperatures attained
clean the apparatus as recommended by the manufacturer.
during this test method, up to 70°C, can cause burns.
Warning—Asasafetypractice,itisstronglyadvised,before
NOTE 9—Exercise care when cleaning and positioning the lid assembly
heating the test cup and subsample, to dip the ignitor to check so as not to damage or dislocate the flash detection system or temperature
measuring device. See the manufacturer’s instructions for proper care and
for the presence of unexpected volatile material.
maintenance.
12.1.4 Apply the heat to the test cup, as indicated by the
12.1.9 Prepare a fresh subsample and repeat the test. If a
temperature measuring device, at such a rate that the tempera-
flash is detected on the second safety check, record the
ture increases 2.5 to 3.5°C⁄min.
barometric pressure and temperature. Report the flash point
NOTE 6—The ramp rate control may be difficult to achieve at the low
result as less than 20°C. If the flash point is 20°C or below,
end of the testing range.
consider retesting the sample using the small-scale tester (Test
12.1.5 Turn on the stirring device at 90to 120rpm, stirring
Method D8174).
in a downward direction.
12.1.10 Begin application of temperature ramp as described
in 12.1.4 and turn on the stirring motor as described in 12.1.5.
NOTE 7—Meticulous attention to all details relating to the ignition
Continue the application of the ignition source as described in
source, size of test flame or intensity of the electric ignitor, rate of
temperatureincrease,andrateofdippingtheignitionsourceintothevapor
12.1.6 for every 1°C until a flash is observed or until 70°C is
of the test subsample is necessary for good results.
reached. When a flash is observed, record the information as
12.1.6 When the subsample, sample cup, and temperature described in 12.1.7 and proceed to 12.1.11. If no flash is
measuringdevicehavebeeninstalled,applytheignitionsource observed up to 70°C, proceed to 12.1.12.
as a safety check (manually or using an automated function of 12.1.11 Clean the system. Prepare a fresh subsample and
the instrument) and then each time the temperature of the repeat the test with the subsample and the test cup at 5°C
D8175 − 18
lowerthanthedetectedflash(butnotlowerthan20°C).Repeat 1
AverageCorrectedFiniteFPResult: x¯ 5 ~x 1 . 1 x ! (2)
1 n
thetestwithadditionalsubsamplesifneeded(referto12.1.13). n
Proceed to Section 13 for reporting of flash point results.
where:
12.1.12 Clean the system. Prepare a fresh subsample and
n = number of subsample tests,
repeat the test with the subsample
...