FLASH AND FIRE POINT TEST (ASTM D92)

FLASH AND FIRE POINT TEST (ASTM D92)

1. Introduction
The flash point of a volatile liquid is the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an
ignitable mixture in air. Measuring a liquid's flash point requires an ignition source. At the flash point, the
vapor may cease to burn when the source of ignition is removed. The flash point is not to be confused
with the auto ignition temperature, which does not require an ignition source. The fire point, a higher
temperature, is defined as the temperature at which the vapor continues to burn after being ignited.
Neither the flash point nor the fire point is related to the temperature of the ignition source or of the
burning liquid, which are much higher. The flash point is often used as a descriptive characteristic of
liquid fuel, and it is also used to help characterize the fire hazards of liquids. Flash point refers to
both flammable liquids and combustible liquids. There are various standards for defining each term. Most
chemists agree that liquids with a flash point less than 60.5C (141F) or 37.8C (100F) depending
upon the standard being applied are flammable, and liquids with a flash point above those
temperatures are combustible.
Every liquid has a vapor pressure, which is a function of that liquid's temperature. As the temperature
increases, the vapor pressure increases. As the vapor pressure increases, the concentration of
evaporated flammable liquid in the air increases. Hence, temperature determines the concentration of
evaporated flammable liquid in the air. Each flammable liquid requires a different concentration of its
vapor in air to sustain combustion. The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest temperature at
which there will be enough flammable vapour to ignite when an ignition source is applied.
There are two basic types of flash point measurement: open cup and closed cup. In open
cup devices the sample is contained in an open cup which is heated, and at intervals a flame is
brought over the surface. The measured flash point will actually vary with the height of the flame
above the liquid surface, and at sufficient height the measured flash point temperature will
coincide with the fire point. The best known example is the Cleveland open cup (COC). There
are two types of closed cup testers: non-equilibrium, such as Pensky-Martens where the vapors
above the liquid are not in temperature equilibrium with the liquid, and equilibrium, such as
Small Scale (commonly known as Seta flash) where the vapors are deemed to be in
temperature equilibrium with the liquid. In both these types the cups are sealed with a lid
through which the ignition source can be introduced. Closed cup testers normally give lower
values for the flash point than open cup (typically 5-10 C) and are a better approximation to the
temperature at which the vapor pressure reaches the lower flammable limit (LFL). The flash
point is an empirical measurement rather than a fundamental physical parameter. The
measured value will vary with equipment and test protocol variations, including temperature
ramp rate (in automated testers), time allowed for the sample to equilibrate, sample volume and
whether the sample is stirred. Methods for determining the flash point of a liquid are specified in
many standards. For example, testing by the cup method is detailed in ASTM D93, IP34, ISO
2719, DIN 51758, JIS K2265 and AFNOR M07-019. Determination of flash point by the Small
Scale closed cup method is detailed in ASTM D3828 and D3278, EN ISO 3679 and 3680, and
IP 523 and 524.

Flash Point The flash point of a material is the lowest temperature at which the application of
test flame causes the vapors from the material to momentarily catch fire in the
form of a flash under specified conditions of the test.

Fire Point The fire point is the lowest temperature at which the application of test flame
causes the material to ignite and burn at least for 5 seconds under specified
conditions of the test.

2. Objective
This experiment is to obtain the temperature level of the asphalt materials for flash and fire point. This
is to know its optimum temperature level. The flash point of cutback asphalt is generally determined by
use of a Tagliabue Open Cup apparatus, whereas the Cleveland Open Cup is used for flash point
determination on other asphaltic materials.




3. Apparatus

a. Cleveland Open Cup Apparatus:
- This apparatus consist of the cup, heating plate, test flame applicator, heater and support.

Figure 3.a: Cleveland Open Cup Apparatus

b. Shield:
- A shield 460 mm (18 in) square and 610 mm (24 in) high and having an open front is recommended.

c. Thermometer:
- A thermometer having a range 6 to + 400C and conforming to the requirements prescribed in
specification.

Figure 3.c: Thermometer





4. Methodology

a. First, the cup filled at any convenient temperature so that the top of the meniscus is exactly at the filling
line.
b. Then light the test flame and adjust it to a diameter of 3.2 to 4.8 mm (1/8 to 3/16 in.), the size of the
comparison bead if one is mounted on apparatus.
c. Heat initially are applied, the rate of temperature rise of the sample is to 25F to 30F (14C to 17C)/min.
When the sample temperature is approximately 100F (56C) below anticipated flash point, decrease the
heat so that the rate of temperature rise for the last 50F (28C) before the flash point is 9F to 11F (5C
to 6C)/min.
d. At least at 50F (28C) below the flash point start, the test flame are applied when the temperature read on
the thermometer reached each successive 5F (2C) mark. The test flame is passed across the center of
the cup, at right angles to the diameter, which passed through the thermometer. With a smooth
continuous motion applied the flame either in straight line or along the circumference of a circle having a
radius of at least 150 mm (6 in). The center of the test flame must move in horizontal plane not more than
2 mm (5/64 in) above the plane of the upper edge of the cup and passing in one direction only. At the
time of the next test flame application, the flame passed in the opposite direction. The time consumed in
passed the test flame across the cup in each case shall be about 1 s.
e. The observed flash point the temperature read on the thermometer when a flash appears at any point on
the surface of the bluish halo that sometimes surrounds the test flame recorded.
f. The fire point determined and continue heating so the sample temperature increased at a rate of 9F to
11F (5C to 6C)/min. the application of the test flame at 5F (2C) intervals until the oil ignites. Fire point
of the oil is observed.