ASTM D4206-96(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D4206–96(Reapproved2001)
Standard Test Method for
Sustained Burning of Liquid Mixtures Using the Small Scale
Open-Cup Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4206; 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.
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
ofTransportation),thistestmaybeconductedtodeterminethesustainedburningcharacteristicsofthe
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
KingdomunderTheFactoriesAct,1961,whichisalsoissuedasBritishStandardBS-3900,PartA-11,
Small Scale Test for Combustibility. This sustained burning test was studied and proposed by the
ASTMCoordinatingCommitteeforFlashPointandRelatedProperties.Themajorpurposeofthistest
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 Thistestmethod describesaprocedurefordetermining 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 to mixtures containing liquids
3. Summary of Test Method
with widely different flash points.
3.1 Ablockofaluminumalloy,orothernonrustingmetalof
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
thewell)isheatedtotherequiredtemperatureof120°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
centerofthewellandatagivendistancefromit,isattachedto
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,theflameispassedoverthewell,heldthereforaspecified
fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.
time, and then removed. The time of sustained burning is then
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the noted.
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,suchasanalcoholandwatermixture,areclassifiedbythe
U.S. Government by the definition of flammable liquid based
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
on a closed-cup flash point method. Thus, mixtures may be
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
classed as flammable even though they do not sustain burning.
Subcommittee D01.22 on Health and Safety.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1996. Published April 1996. Originally
published as D4206–82. Last previous edition D4206–89(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, Available from British Standards Institute, 2 Park St., London, England
Vol 55, pp. 1086–1095. W1A2BS or ANSI, 11 W. 42nd St. New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4206–96 (2001)
5.1.3 Stopwatch, or other suitable timing device.
5.2 Thermometer, 32 to 230°F (−5 to 110°C), traceable to
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 Obtainarepresentativesampleoftheproductundertest,
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,thesampleshouldreceiveonlytheminimumtreatmentto
assure uniformity. After removing the specimen, immediately
close the sample container tightly to en sure 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
transfersunlessthesampletemperatureisat100°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
FIG. 1 Small Scale Open Cup Apparatus
7.1 When the barometric pressure differs from 760 mm Hg
(101.3kPa),determinethetemperatureatwhichthetestshould
This test method determines the ability of a liquid mixtu
...