ASTM D1929 Test Lab

ASTM D1929 Test Lab

The heat, flames, and fumes that are generated when plastics catch fire and burn can cause severe property damage and loss of life. The “Standard Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics” (also known as ASTM D1929) was created as a result.

The International Building Code (IBC), as well as more regional ordinances like the Florida Building Code (FBC) and High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), all require the use of plastics that are fully compliant with their specifications. Companies in the construction, engineering, and related materials manufacturing sectors specifically benefited from this test. The plastic used in any Florida project requiring plastic must meet ASTM D1929 standards.

Procedures for Tests, ASTM D1929

For builders, suppliers, and manufacturers, understanding how a specific material reacts to heat and flames is simply prudent. The following ASTM D1929 procedure is used to determine the relative safety of plastic:

Restrictions on Specimens: First, a specimen of the proper size needs to be provided. A specimen weighing three grams is required for plastics with a density of greater than 100 kilograms per cubic meter. Sheets of plastic that measure 20 millimeters by 20 millimeters must be layered on top of one another until a mass of three grams is reached. A block measuring 20 millimeters by 20 millimeters by 50 millimeters should be provided with any of its outer skin removed for cellular polymers with a density of less than 100 kilograms per cubic meter.

Testing Methodology: Then, using a controlled hot air supply, the appropriately sized specimen is lowered into the vertical tube of an ignition furnace. A technician maintains a close eye out for any indications of blazing, exploding, combustion, glowing, or a sharp rise in temperature. Ten minutes or until ignition happens is the test’s duration. In the absence of ignition, the test is repeated at a higher temperature with a new sample piece.

ASTM D1929: The Findings

The ASTM D1929 procedure, which is carried out under the supervision of a certified Infinita Labs expert, establishes two temperatures that are critical for comprehending the safety limits of a specific plastic:

The lowest temperature at which the test piece self-ignites without the assistance of an additional flame or external source of ignition is known as the spontaneous or self-ignition temperature, or SIT.

The lowest temperature at which enough gases are created to be combustible and ignite when exposed to an externally provided ignition source, such as a small pilot light, is known as the flash ignition temperature (FIT).

Other Useful Resources
Scanning electron microscope testing
Differential scanning calorimetry testing