ASTM E502-07
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
Standard Test Method for Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The flash point measures the response of the sample to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions. It is only one of a number of properties that must be considered in assessing the overall flammability hazard of a material.
As a result of physical factors inherent in the apparatus and procedure, the closed cup flash point does not necessarily represent the minimum temperature at which a material can evolve flammable vapors, and the absence of a flash point does not guarantee nonflammability (see Appendix X1 and Appendix X2).
Flash point is used in shipping and safety regulations to define flammable and combustible materials. Test Methods D 56, D 93, and D 3278 are specified as test methods for determining the flash point of these materials.
5.4 If the process or handling conditions dictate the usage of a flammable material at temperatures ranging upward from 5 to 10°C below the closed-cup flash point, then a flammable vapor might be present above the liquid. In such cases, it may be more appropriate to use the temperature limit of flammability (as determined by Test Method E 1232) instead of flash point.
Small scale methods involving equilibrium procedures and only one flame pass per specimen are preferred.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash point of liquid and solid chemical compounds flashing from below 10 to 370°C (16 to 700°F). The procedures and apparatus in Test Methods D 56, D 93, D 3278, D 3828, and D 3941 are to be used. Modification to these procedures are specified for tests on solids and viscous liquids. The significance of the results obtained is discussed along with possible sources of error and factors that might cause interference.
1.2 Suggestions for adapting this procedure to mixtures of chemicals are included (see Appendix X2).
1.3 This test method should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test method may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment that take into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See also Section 8.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:E502–07
Standard Test Method for
Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination
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of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E502; 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.
1. Scope D93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens
Closed Cup Tester
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash
D270 Method of Sampling Petroleum and Petroleum Prod-
point of liquid and solid chemical compounds flashing from
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ucts
below−10 to 370°C (16 to 700°F). The procedures and
D1310 Test Method for Flash Point and Fire Point of
apparatus in Test Methods D56, D93, D3278, D3828, and
Liquids by Tag Open-Cup Apparatus
D3941 are to be used. Modification to these procedures are
D3278 Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small
specified for tests on solids and viscous liquids. The signifi-
Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
cance of the results obtained is discussed along with possible
D3827 Test Method for Estimation of Solubility of Gases
sources of error and factors that might cause interference.
in Petroleum and Other Organic Liquids
1.2 Suggestions for adapting this procedure to mixtures of
D3828 TestMethodsforFlashPointbySmallScaleClosed
chemicals are included (see Appendix X2).
Cup Tester
1.3 Thistestmethodshouldbeusedtomeasureanddescribe
D3934 Test Method for Flash/No Flash Test—Equilibrium
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
Method by a Closed-Cup Apparatus
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
D3941 Test Method for Flash Point by the Equilibrium
shouldnotbeusedtodescribeorappraisethefirehazardorfire
Method With a Closed-Cup Apparatus
risk of materials or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
E681 Test Method for Concentration Limits of Flammabil-
However, results of this test method may be used as elements
ity of Chemicals (Vapors and Gases)
ofafireriskassessmentthattakeintoaccountallofthefactors
E1232 TestMethodforTemperatureLimitofFlammability
that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a
of Chemicals
particular end use.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definition:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 flash point—the lowest temperature, corrected to a
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pressure of 760 mm Hg (101.3 kPa) (1013 mbar) at which
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See also Section 8.
application of an ignition source causes the vapors of a
2. Referenced Documents specimen to ignite under specified conditions of test.
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
D56 TestMethodforFlashPointbyTagClosedCupTester
4.1 The specimen is placed in a closed cup and in the small
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
scale method equilibrated at a test temperature, in the Pensky-
Open Cup Tester
MartensMethodheatedatacontrolledratewithstirring,andin
the Tag Method also heated at a controlled rate but without
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This test method is under jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard
stirring.Asmall flame is directed into the vapor space of each
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on
cup at specified intervals, with simultaneous interruption of
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2007. Published March 2007. Originally stirringinthePensky-MartensMethod,todeterminewhethera
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E502–06a.
flash occurs or not. In Test Method D3941, the specimen is
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
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the ASTM website. Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E502–07
heated at a slower rate than in the other controlled heating 8. Hazards
methods, maintaining a small temperature differential between
8.1 Toxicity of Chemical and Combustion Products:
bath and specimen.
8.1.1 Isolate or control operations on toxic or corrosive
materials to prevent exposure to any personnel.
5. Significance and Use
8.1.2 Sinceflashpointtestsareconductedinstillair,theuse
5.1 The flash point measures the response of the sample to
of forced circulation fo
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