Explosion Testing for dust, gases & vapours

Flashpoint and flash point testing

Flashpoint temperature

Flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which a liquid will form an explosive vapour under normal atmospheric conditions. It is an important measure of volatility and allows appropriate safety measures to be taken when transporting, storing or handling flammable liquids. Under CLP, liquids are classified on the basis of flash point measurement thus: • Category 1 - flashpoint <23 °C and initial boiling point ≤35 °C • Category 2 - flashpoint <23 °C and initial boiling point >35 °C • Category 3 - flashpoint ≥23 °C and ≤60 °C • Combustible liquids with a flashpoint above 60 °C Where liquids are used or stored in the workplace at elevated temperature above their flashpoint, a fire and explosion hazard can exist similar to that presented by Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids.

Flash point test apparatus

Our UK based laboratory offers Setaflash, Pensky-Martens open cup, Pensky-Martens closed cup, Abel, Tag open & closed and Cleveland open cup flash point testing to a variety of test standards and methods - see table below.

Flashpoint apparatus and test standards

Flashpoint test

Comments

Test standard

Setaflash flashpoint test

Ideal for research purposes using just 2 ml of sample for tests up to a temperature of 100 o C and 4 ml of sample above 100 o C

ASTM D3278 ASTM D3828 ASTM D7236 ASTM E502 BS 3900 Part A13 BS 6664 Parts 3 & 4 BS EN 456 CHIPS Regulations Classification of Dangerous Goods for Carriage: Viscous and Non-viscous Liquids EPA 1020 A & B IP 303 (obs) Parts 1 & 2 IP 523 IP 524 IP 534 ISO 3679 ISO 3680 UN Class 3 Non-viscous Flammable Liquids

Pensky Martens open cup flash point test

Open cup method

IP 35 BS2000-35

Pensky Martens closed cup flash point test

Equilibrium method

AASHTO T73-811 ASTM D93 ASTM E502 BS 2000 Parts 35 & 404 EN 22719 FTM 791 1102 IP 34 IP 35 IP 404 ISO 15267 ISO 2719 JIS K2265 NF M07-019

Abel flashpoint test

BS 2000 Parts 33 (obs) & 170 IP 170 IP 33 (obs) ISO 13736

Tag open & closed flash point test

ASTM D56 (Tag Closed Cup) ASTM D3143 (Tag Open Cup) AASHTO T79 (Tag Open Cup)

Cleveland open cup flash point test

ASTMD92 AASHTO T48 (COC) IP 36 EN ISO 2592 (COC)

Explosion Testing

Flashpoint and flash

point testing

Flashpoint temperature

Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid will form an explosive vapour under normal atmospheric conditions. It is an important measure of volatility and allows appropriate safety measures to be taken when transporting, storing or handling flammable liquids. Under CLP, liquids are classified on the basis of flash point measurement thus: Category 1 - flashpoint <23 °C and initial boiling point ≤35 °C Category 2 - flashpoint <23 °C and initial boiling point >35 °C Category 3 - flashpoint ≥23 °C and ≤60 °C Combustible liquids with a flashpoint above 60 °C Where liquids are used or stored in the workplace at elevated temperature above their flashpoint, a fire and explosion hazard can exist similar to that presented by Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids.

Flash point test apparatus

Our UK based laboratory offers Setaflash, Pensky- Martens open cup, Pensky-Martens closed cup, Abel, Tag open & closed and Cleveland open cup flash point testing to a variety of test standards and methods.