ASTM D6413/D6413M-15/D6413M-15 Test for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test)

Introduction

ASTM D6413/D6413M-15 is a standard test method that assesses the flame resistance of textiles by evaluating a fabric’s vertical flame test to determine its ability to resist ignition and prevent the spread of flame from an open flame. It is significant in ensuring fire safety standards for any textile product, especially safety apparel, upholstery, and many other applications. The procedure involves making a vertical fabric specimen endure a controlled flame, the after-flame time, and the degradation caused to the fabric. This test ensures manufacturers that their products provide an acceptable level of flame resistance for industries to minimize risks to fire hazards.

Scope 

ASTM D6413/D6413M-15 determines the response of textiles to flames by measuring after-flame time, after-glow time, and char length. The flame resistance measured only relates to a specified flame exposure and application time. The data obtained from this test assists in quality control, research and development, and acceptance testing. This standard describes the response of materials to heat under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe the fire risk of materials under actual fire conditions.

Test Procedure

In the ASTM D6413 test, mounting and exposing the specimen to the flame should be done within 4 minutes after taking it out from conditioning. A specimen is clamped between two halves of a holder where the bottom of the specimen has to be aligned with the holder’s base, and at least four clamps are made for holding. The holder is put vertically in a test chamber, and the burner is 19 mm (0.75 inches) below the lower edge of the specimen. The specimen is then exposed to the flame for 12 ± 0.2 seconds, during which melting or dripping is observed. Upon withdrawal of the flame, a stopwatch assists in determining the afterflame and after-glow times. The afterflame is set to the nearest 0.2 seconds, while the after-glow is left until it dies without being extinguished.

After the test is completed, the specimen is removed from the chamber. Then, by providing ventilation, the smoke is removed, and the char length after cooling is measured. Later, the specimen is folded along the highest charred area. A hook with weight is applied to provide tearing force. The tear in the charred area is marked, and the char length along the undamaged section is noted.

Specimen Size

The test samples used in the ASTM D6413/D6413M-15/D6413M-15 test must be homogeneous and drawn from the same material as the disparate test results. The primary sampling unit is rolls of fabric or fabric components of fabricated assemblies, and from each unit, a 1m long piece of fabric is taken for laboratory testing. The entire assembly may be used for fabricated assemblies.

Result

The ASTM D6413/D6413M-15 test results depend on after-flame, after-glow, and char length. Shorter after-flame and after-glow times and minimal char length indicate better flame resistance of the textile.

Conclusion

The ASTM D6413/D6413M-15/D6413M-15 test is a widely accepted method for measuring the flame resistance of textiles in a vertical configuration. The test provides a quantitative assessment of the time it takes for the flame to spread vertically along a textile specimen and the extent of burning during the test.

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