ASTM D2863-06

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D2863–06
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support
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Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2863; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO4589-2 are technically equivalent
1. Scope*
when using the gas measurement and control device described in 6.3.1,
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure
with direct oxygen concentration measurement.
for measuring the minimum concentration of oxygen, ex-
pressed as percent volume, that will just support flaming
2. Referenced Documents
combustion in a flowing mixture of oxygen and nitrogen. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This test method provides three testing procedures.
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
Procedure A involves top surface ignition, Procedure B in-
D1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
volves propagating ignition, and Procedure C is a short
eous Fuel Samples
procedureinvolvingthecomparisonwithaspecifiedminimum
D1622 TestMethodforApparentDensityofRigidCellular
value of the oxygen index.
Plastics
1.3 Test specimens used for this test method are prepared
D 4802 Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)
into one of six types of specimens (see Table 1).
Acrylic Plastic Sheet
1.4 This test method provides for testing materials that are
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
structurallyself-supportingintheformofverticalbarsorsheet
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
up to 10.5-mm thick. Such materials are solid, laminated or
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater 3
2.2 ISO Standards:
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than 15 kg/m .
ISO 4589-2 Plastics—Determination of Flammability by
1.5 This test method also provides for testing flexible sheet
Oxygen Index—Part 2, Ambient Temperatures
or film materials, while supported vertically.
ISO 7823-1 Poly(Methylmethacrylate) Sheets—Types, Di-
1.6 This test method is also suitable, in some cases, for
mensions and Characteristics—Part 1—Cast Sheets
cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 15
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
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kg/m .
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—Although this test method has been found applicable for
testingsomeothermaterials,theprecisionofthetestmethodhasnotbeen 3.1 Definitions
determined for these materials, or for specimen geometries and test
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method refer
conditions outside those recommended herein.
to the terminology contained in Terminology E176 and
ISO13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given in Termi-
1.7 Thistestmethodmeasuresanddescribestheresponseof
nology E176 shall prevail.
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
3.2 Definitions: Definitions Specific to This Standard:
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
3.2.1 ignition—the initiation of combustion.
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
3.2.2 oxygen index (OI)—the minimum concentration of
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
oxygendeterminedbythemethodin12.1,expressedasvolume
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
percent, in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
support flaming combustion of a material initially at 23 6 2°C
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
under the conditions of this test method.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.3 Symbols Specific To This Test Method:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards
statement are given in Section 10.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
(Section D20.30). the ASTM website.
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Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2006. Published March 2006. Originally Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D2863-00. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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