Test to Determine Ignition Temperature of Plastics
TEST TO DETERMINE IGNITION TEMPERATURE OF PLASTICS
A hot-air igniting furnace has a specimen inside of a vertical tube. A technician keeps an eye out for flashes, explosions, fiery or glowing combustion, rapid temperature rises, or the conclusion of a 10-minute period, whichever occurs first. The temperature is either dropped or elevated, and the test is repeated using a new specimen, depending on whether or not ignition has taken place. This procedure is repeated until a Self-Ignition Temperature (SIT) or Flash Ignition Temperature (FIT) has been established.
Here are the steps to conduct the test:
- Obtain a sample of the plastic material to be tested. The sample should be of uniform thickness and free from any defects.
- Place the sample in the cone calorimeter test apparatus.
- Set the heat flux to a level appropriate for the material being tested. The heat flux is the amount of heat energy transferred to the surface of the sample per unit area per unit time.
- Gradually increase the temperature of the sample by applying a heat flux until it ignites.
- Record the ignition temperature of the sample.
The self-ignition temperature, or SIT, is the lowest temperature at which the specimen ignites on its own during testing conditions and in the absence of any other flame-igniting sources. The flash ignition temperature (FIT) is the lowest temperature at which enough flammable gasses are released during specific test conditions to instantly ignite upon application of a small external pilot flame.
The Spontaneous Ignition Temperature (SIT) or Self-Ignition Temperature (SIT) and Flash Ignition Temperature are the outcomes of this test (FIT).
