ASTM D 3014 Cellular Plastics

Scope:

This ASTM D 3014  test method has been used with flexible cellular materials and plastics, but its broad applicability hasn’t been comprehensively studied. It involves subjecting specimens to specific laboratory test conditions. Deviations in test conditions or end-use scenarios may not reliably predict fire-test responses, making results valid only for the described fire-test-exposure conditions.

Test Procedure:

In this ASTM D 3014 standard test method described the density of each specimen has been determined following Test Method D1622. The mass (M) of each specimen has been weighed and recorded to the nearest 0.01 g. The mass (S1) of the specimen support has been weighed and recorded to the nearest 0.01 g.

The burner has been ignited and adjusted so that the inner blue cone is 25 to 35 mm high. Further adjustments have been made to the burner until the temperature at the top of the inner cone is 960 ± 5°C. The specimen has been impaled on the three pins of the specimen support, with the top of the specimen even with the top of the specimen. It is noted that high-density cellular plastics may require holes to be drilled in the specimen to allow insertion of the pins. When required, the holes have been drilled at the time of specimen preparation. 

The chimney has been lined with aluminium foil so that it is against the sides and back of the chimney and flush with the bottom. The shiny side of the aluminium foil has been placed towards the test specimen. A new liner has been installed for each specimen.

The specimen support has been placed in the chimney so that the top of the specimen is even with the top of the chimney.

The glass front has been put in place, and the specimen has been ignited by placing the inner cone of the burner flame under the centre of the specimen for 10 seconds. Simultaneous with placing the flame under the specimen, the timer was started to determine the time to extinguish (Te). The burner has been kept at an angle of about 15° from the vertical.

The maximum flame height (H) has been measured during the combustion of the specimen, to the nearest 10 mm, with the flame-height scale on the front of the chimney, and the height has been recorded. If the flame has risen above the top of the scale, it has been recorded as 250 + mm.

The timer has been stopped when combustion of the specimen ceases, and the time to extinguishment (Te) has been recorded to the nearest second. If the time to extinguishment has been less than 10 s, the time has been noted but the flame has continued to be applied for 10 s.

After cooling, the specimen support and specimen have been removed and weighed, without removing the specimen, to the nearest 0.01 g, and the weight (S2) has been recorded. The specimen support has been cleaned, and the process has been repeated until all specimens have been ignited.

Video 01: Burning Test Of Plastic

Test Specimen:

This ASTM D 3014  test method using Six specimens shall be cut from a material of uniform

density. The specimens shall be 254± 1 mm by 19± 0.5 mm by 19 ± 0.5 mm and shall be free of dust, and the cut edges shall be smooth.

Data

Calculate the per cent mass retained by the specimen after ignition using the formula in this ASTM D 3014 standard test method:

                            PMR = S2-S1M 100 

Where

H is the mm-highest possible flame during combustion,

Te is the interval of time (in seconds) between applying a burner flame and extinguishing a certain flame. Afterglow is not permitted. within this period,

S1 is the mass of the support for the specimen, g; 

M is the mass of the specimen; 

S2 is the mass of the specimen and the support after ignition; g; and

 PMR is the percentage of the mass retained by the entire specimen.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Standard Test Method for Flame Height, Time of Burning, and Loss of Mass of Rigid Thermoset Cellular Plastics in a Vertical Position (ASTM D 3014) offers important information about the fire performance of these materials.