A fuel-air mixture is flammable when combustion can be started by an ignition source. The main fact is the proportions or composition of the fuel-air mixture. A mixture that has less than a critical amount of fuel, known as the Lean or Lower Flammability Limit (LFL), or greater than a critical amount of fuel, known as the rich or Upper Flammability Limit (UFL), will not be flammable. For example, the lean flammability limit for Jet A (aviation kerosene) in air at sea level is a concentration (by volume or partial pressure) of about 0.7%. The rich flammability limit is about 4.8% by volume or partial pressure. Flammability limits are not absolute, but depend on the type and strength of the ignition source. Studies on flammability limits of hydrocarbon fuels have shown that the stronger the source of the ignition stimulus, the leaner the mixture that can be ignited. Flammability limits also depend on the type of atmosphere (for example, limits are much wider in oxygen than in air), the pressure, and the temperature of atmosphere.
This property describes how fast a plastic material will burn when subjected to a particular ASTM test. In this test, a flame is applied to one end of a strip of material. When the material starts burning the flame is removed and the time to consume a given amount of material is measured. Units - inches per minute (in/min.). Higher numbers indicate that the material will burn faster under conditions of this particular test. S.E. means self extinguishing. If a material is classified as S.E., the specimen stops burning when the flame is taken away.
Measures char damage length, afterflame and afterglow time on a 3" x 12" fabric sample exposed to flame at its lower edge for 12 seconds.
The measure of the material's ability to support combustion.
A measure of how fast a material will burn under controlled conditions. ASTM D-635/UL E-84 tests.
(property) Measure of the material's ability to support combustion.
Susceptibility to combustion.
The ability of a material to burn or ignite.
The ability of a material to burn under certain conditions. Flammability becomes a concern with electric signs and some indoor displays and is usually subject to fire code control.
In the U.S., this is referred to as Flame Spread. (See Flame Spread). In Europe, compliance is governed by DIN 4102.
Relative ability of a material to support combustion as expressed by its flash point.
NFPA flammability code: 0 = will not burn; 1 = must be preheated; 2 = high ambient temp required; 3 = may ignite at ambient temp; 4 = burn readily.
The test to determine if fabric will ignite under controlled conditions.
The measure of the extent to which a material will support combustion.
The inherent measure of a material's resistance to burning.
The ability of a substance to ignite, having a flash point under 37°C.
the relative ease with which a fuel ignites and burns regardless of the quantity of the fuel.
For apparel applications, usually refers to an OSHA requirement on children's sleepwear where the seam should not support combustion. A&E has two products that are designed to meet this OSHA requirement, and they are Spun Kool® and Tex Kool®.
The ability of a material to ignite easily and burn quickly. Also used to classify some liquids based on their flash point.
The ease with which a liquid, solid, or gas will ignite, either spontaneously (pyrophoric) or as the result of a spark or an open flame. The more flammable a material, the more readily ignition occurs. Flashpoint The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite.
The ability for a material to burn.
the time a specimen will support a flame after having been exposed to a flame for a given period.
ability to support combustion; conformance indicated to flammability requirements valid above certain minimum thickness only Back
The characteristics of a material that pertain to its relative ease and relative ability to sustain combustion.
the characteristics of a material to burn or support combustion.
The degree to which a material will catch fire and support combustion. Flammability also refers to the rate at which a material will be consumed by fire.
Flammability or Inflammability is the ease with which a substance will ignite, causing fire or combustion. Materials that will ignite at temperatures commonly encountered are considered flammable, with various specific definitions giving a temperature requirement. The flash point is the important characteristic.
