Designation: D 4804 – 98

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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Test Method for

Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid
Solid Plastics1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4804; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope guishing Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical

1.1 These fire-test-response test methods describe small- Position3
scale laboratory procedures for determining the comparative D 5025 Specification for a Laboratory Burner Used for
burning characteristics of solid plastic materials that, due to Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials4
specimen thinness and nonrigidity, may distort or shrink when D 5207 Practice for Calibration of 20 and 125 mm Test
tested using Test Method D 3801. A flame is applied to the base Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materi-
of specimens held in a vertical position and the extinguishing als4
times are determined upon removal of the test flame. E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards5
1.2 The classification system described in Appendix X1 is E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
intended for quality assurance and the preselection of compo- Determine the Precision of a Test Method6
nent materials for products. 2.2 ISO Standards:
1.3 This standard measures and describes the response of ISO 9773–98 Plastics—Determination of Burning Behav-
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under iour of Thin Flexible Vertical Specimens in Contact With
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all a Small Flame Ignition Source7
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the 3. Terminology
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of fire-related terms used in
NOTE 1—These test methods and ISO 9773 are equivalent. these test methods, refer to Terminology E 176.
NOTE 2—For rate of burning of nonrigid solid plastics in a horizontal
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
position, formerly Test Method B of these test methods, see Test Method
D 635, section 9.4. 3.2.1 flame-impingement time, n—the time in seconds that
the flame from the burner is in contact with the specimen.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.2 flaming material, n—flaming drips or particles from
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the the specimen which ignite the dry, absorbent surgical cotton
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- placed 300 mm below the test specimen.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.3 afterflame, n—persistence of flaming of a material,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard after the ignition source has been removed.
statements, see Note 3. 3.2.4 afterflame time, n—the length of time for which a
2. Referenced Documents material continues to flame, under specified conditions, after
the ignition source has been removed.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.2.5 afterglow, n—persistence of glowing of a material,
D 635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and after cessation of flaming or, if no flaming occurs, after
Time of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizon- removal of the ignition source.
tal Position2 3.2.6 afterglow time, n—the length of time for which a
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics2 material continues to glow under specified test conditions, after
D 3801 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Extin- the ignition source has been removed or cessation of flaming,
or both.

1 3
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
4
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
5
Properties. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
6
Current edition approved July 10, 1998. Published February 1999. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
7
published as D 4804 – 88. Last previous edition D 4804 – 91. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St., 13th
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

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 D 4804
3.2.7 flame, v—to undergo combustion in the gaseous phase 6.5 Timer—Stopwatch or other suitable timing device ca-
with emission of light. pable of timing to the nearest 0.5-s.
3.2.8 glow, n—visible light, other than from flaming, emit- 6.6 Cotton—A supply of dry, absorbent 100 % cotton.
ted by a solid undergoing combustion. 6.7 Desiccator, containing a suitable drying agent, capable
of maintaining a relative humidity not exceeding 20 % at 23°C
4. Summary of Test Method
6 2°C.
4.1 These test methods consist of subjecting the lower end 6.8 Conditioning Room or Chamber, capable of being
of vertically held specimens to a 20-mm test flame for two 3-s maintained at 23 6 2°C and a relative humidity of 50 6 5 %.
flame applications. The 200 by 50-mm specimens are pre- 6.9 Conditioning Oven—A full-draft circulating-air oven
formed around a 13-mm diameter mandrel. The afterflame time capable of being maintained at 70 6 2°C.
is recorded after the first flame application and the afterflame 6.10 Specimen Mandrel Guide, 13 6 0.5-mm diameter rod.
and afterglow times are recorded after the second flame 6.11 Micrometer, capable of being read to 0.01 mm.
application. Information is also recorded on whether or not 6.12 Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Tape, of a commercially-
flaming material drips from the specimens. available type.
5. Significance and Use 6.13 Weighing Scale or Balance, having an accuracy and
5.1 The test results represent the afterflame and afterglow resolution of 0.01 g.
times, in seconds, for a material under the conditions of the 7. Sampling
test. 7.1 Unless otherwise agreed, material shall be sampled in
5.2 The afterflame and afterglow times and other burning accordance with the sections on General Sampling Procedures
phenomena will vary with thickness. Test data should only be and Specific Sampling Procedures of Practice D 1898.
compared with data for material of comparable thickness.
Useful information may be obtained from a plot of afterflame 8. Test Specimen
and afterglow times versus thickness. 8.1 Cut at least ten test specimens, 200 6 5 mm in length by
5.3 The effect of material thickness, colors, additives, dete- 50 6 2 mm in width, and of the thickness of material normally
rioration, and possible loss of volatile components is measur- supplied, from sheet material. Prepare the test specimens by
able. marking a line across the specimen width, 125 6 5 mm from
5.4 The results serve as a reference for comparing the the bottom end of the cut specimen. Wrap the longitudinal axis
relative performance of materials and can be an aid in material of the test specimen tightly around the longitudinal axis of a 13
selection. 6 0.5-mm diameter mandrel to form a lapped cylinder
5.5 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or 200-mm long with the 125-mm line exposed. Use pressure-
more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test sensitive tape to secure the overlapping ends of the specimen
conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are within the 75-mm portion of the 125-mm mark and at the upper
changed, it may not be possible by or from this test method to tube section. After the cylinder is formed, remove the mandrel.
predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics mea- If the material is prone to developing static charges which
sured; therefore, the results are valid only for the fire-test make the formation of a cylinder difficult, use a static neutral-
exposure conditions described in this test method. izing device or material to deionize the unformed specimen.
6. Apparatus NOTE 4—For stiff specimens, the pressure-sensitive tape may be
6.1 Test Chamber—An enclosure or laboratory hood with a reinforced or replaced by nichrome wire wound around the top 75 mm of
minimum capacity of 0.5 m3, free of induced or forced draft the specimen.
during testing. An enclosed laboratory hood with a heat- 8.2 Different generic materials, although capable of being
resistant glass window and an exhaust fan for removing the wrapped and taped around the mandrel, may exhibit varying
products of combustion immediately after the tests are recom- degrees of flaring out of the untaped end, some of which may
mended. (Warning—See Note 3.) Laboratory hoods may have result in nonlapped “U” type specimens. These various forms
induced drafts even with the exhaust fan off. A positive closing are considered acceptable to test if the upper end can be formed
damper may be needed. into the cylinder.
NOTE 3—Warning: Products of combustion may be toxic. 9. Conditioning
6.2 Laboratory Burner, constructed in accordance with 9.1 The cylindrical specimens may be prepared before or
Specification D 5025. after the conditioning. Condition specimen sets as follows:
6.3 Ring Stand, with a clamp or the equivalent, adjustable 9.1.1 Condition one set of five specimens for at least 48 h at
for vertical positioning of specimens. a temperature of 23 6 2°C and a relative humidity of 506 5 %
6.4 Gas Supply—A supply of technical-grade methane gas prior to testing.
with suitable regulator and meter for uniform gas flow. Natural 9.1.2 Condition a second set of five specimens in a
gas having an energy density of 37 6 1 MJ/m3 has been found circulating-air oven for a duration of 168 h at 70 6 2°C and
to provide similar results. However, technical-grade methane then cool in a desiccator over anhydrous calcium chloride for
gas shall be used as the referee gas in cases of dispute. Other at least 4 h at room temperature prior to testing.
fuel gases such as butane, propane, and acetylene have higher 9.2 All specimens shall be tested in a laboratory atmosphere
energy density and are not suitable. of 15 to 35°C and 45 to 75 % relative humidity.

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 D 4804
10. Procedure test flame. When flaming of the specimen ceases, immediately
10.1 Conduct the burning test in a chamber, enclosure, or replace the test flame under the specimen. After this additional
laboratory hood free of induced or forced draft. 3 6 0.55-s flame impingement time, withdraw the test flame
10.2 Support a specimen from the upper 6 mm of the again. Record the duration of afterflame and afterglow times in
specimen, with the longitudinal axis vertical, by a heavy spring seconds.
clamp, so that the upper end of the tube is closed to prevent any
NOTE 5—For specimens that flare and are not lapped at the lower end,
chimney effects during the test. The lower end of the specimen apply the flame in line with the longitudinal axis of the specimen (see Fig.
should be 10 6 1 mm above the top of the burner tube and 300 1, View (c)).
6 10 mm above a horizontal layer of 0.05 to 0.08 g of cotton
thinned to an area approximately 50 3 50 mm and a maximum 10.5 If the specimen drips molten or flaming material during
thickness of 61 mm (see Fig. 1, View (a)). either flame application, tilt the burner to an angle up to 45°
10.3 Place the burner remote from the specimen, ignite, and and withdraw the burner slightly from one of the sides of the
adjust it to produce a blue flame 20 6 1 mm high. Obtain the specimen during the flame applications to avoid dripping into
flame by adjusting the gas supply and the air ports of the burner the tube of the burner. If the specimen drips molten or flaming
until a 20-mm yellow-tipped blue flame is produced. Increase material or is consumed during the test, hand-hold the burner
the air supply until the yellow tip just disappears. Measure the and maintain the proper distance between the bottom of the
height of the flame again, and if necessary, adjust the burner- specimen and the top of the burner tube during the flame
gas supply to give the proper flame height. The test flame is to application. Ignore any molten strings of the material and
be calibrated using Practice D 5207 monthly, when the gas always apply the flame to the bottom of the major portion of
supply or equipment is changed or when test results are the specimen.
questioned. 10.6 Repeat the procedure given in 10.2-10.5 on the remain-
10.4 Place the test flame centrally under the lower end of the ing specimens for each set.
unlapped section of the test specimen (Note 4) with the burner
tube 10 6 1 mm below the specimen for a flame-impingement
11. Calculation
time of 36 0.55 s (see Fig. 1, View (b)). Withdraw the test
flame at least 150 mm away and record the duration of 11.1 Calculate the total afterflame time for each set of five
afterflame, in seconds, of the specimen after the removal of the specimens, tf, using the following formula:

FIG. 1 Test Apparatus

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 D 4804
i55 TABLE 2 Second Impingement, Afterflame and Afterglow Times
tf 5 ( ~t1,i 1 t2,i!
i51
(1)
NOTE 1—None of the materials exhibited afterglow; therefore, after-
flame plus afterglow is the same as afterflame only, after the second
where: impingement.
tf 5 total flaming time, s,
Afterflame Time, s
i 5 individual specimen number, Material
t1,i 5 afterflame time after the first flame impingement, s, Average srA SRB IrC IRD
of the ith specimen, and Polyimide (PI) 0.0 ... ... ... ...
t2,i 5 afterflame time after the second flame impingement, Polyurethane (PUR) 1.3 1.2 1.2 3.4 3.4
Polyethylene 2.1 0.8 1.4 2.3 4.0
s, of the ith specimen. terephthalate (PET)
11.2 Calculate the arithmetic mean of the afterflame time for Poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) 7.2 3.8 6.2 10.8 14.7
each flame impingement, t1 and t2, and the afterflame plus A
sr 5 within-laboratory standard deviation of the average.
afterglow time for the second flame impingement, t2 plus t3, B
SR 5 between-laboratory standard deviation of the average.
C
2.83 sr, and
recorded for each set of five specimens to the nearest second. D
2.83 SR.

12. Report 1986 in accordance with Practice E 691, involving four mate-
12.1 Report the following information: rials tested by six laboratories. For each material, all the
12.1.1 Material Identification—Include generic description, samples were provided by one source. The individual speci-
manufacturer, commercial designation, lot number, and color. mens were cut and distributed by one laboratory. Each labora-
12.1.2 Conditioning or Aging: tory conditioned, at 23°C and 50 % relative humidity, the
12.1.2.1 Conditioning time at 23 6 2°C in hours. specimens that it tested. The round robin did not include
12.1.2.2 Cooling time in desiccator in hours. specimens conditioned at 70°C.
12.1.3 The total afterflame time for each set of five speci- 13.1.1 For Tables 1 and 2, each test result was the average
mens, tf. of five individual determinations.
12.1.4 Duration of afterflame time after first flame impinge- NOTE 6—Caution: The explanations of Ir and IR given in 13.2-13.2.3
ment, t1. are only intended to present a meaningful way of considering the
12.1.5 Duration of afterflame time after second flame im- approximate precision of this test method. The data in Tables 1 and 2
pingement, t2. should not be rigorously applied to acceptance or rejection of material, as
those data are specific to the round robin and may not be representative of
12.1.6 Duration of afterflame and afterglow times after
other lots, conditions, materials, or laboratories.
second flame impingement, t2 + t3. Users of this test method should apply the principles outlined in Practice
12.1.7 Whether or not any of the specimens burn up to the E 691 to generate data specific to their laboratory and materials, or
125-mm mark. between specific laboratories. The principles of 13.2-13.2.3 then would be
12.1.8 Whether or not any of the specimens drip flaming valid for such data.
particles which ignite the cotton swatch. 13.2 Concept of Ir and IR—If ss and sR have been calculated
12.1.9 If the material will be classified, indicate the category from a large enough body of data, and for test results that were
designation from the Classification System in Appendix X1. averages from testing five specimens.
13.2.1 Repeatability, Ir—In comparing two test results for
13. Precision and Bias 8 the same material, obtained by the same operator using the
13.1 Tables 1 and 2 are based on a round robin completed in same equipment on the same day, the two test results should be
judged not equivalent if they differ by more than the Ir value for
that material.
8
Supporting data is available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D20-1146. 13.2.2 Reproducibility, IR—In comparing two test results
for the same material, obtained by different operators using
TABLE 1 First Impingement, Afterflame Time Only different equipment on different days, the two test results
Afterflame Time, s should be judged not equivalent if they differ by more than the
Material
Average srA SRB IrC IRD IR value for that material.
Polyimide (PI) 0.3 0.4 0.7 1.1 2.0 13.2.3 Any judgment in accordance with 13.2.1 and 13.2.2
Polyurethane (PUR) 0.8 0.7 0.7 2.0 2.0 would have an approximate 95 % probability of being correct.
Polyethylene 2.3 0.7 0.9 2.0 2.5 13.3 Bias—There are no recognized standards on which to
terephthalate (PET)
Poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) 6.0 4.4 4.4 12.5 12.5 base an estimate of bias for these test methods.
A
sr 5 within-laboratory standard deviation of the average. 14. Keywords
B
SR 5 between-laboratory standard deviation of the average.
C
Ir 5 2.83 sr, and 14.1 flammability; plastics, nonrigid; plastics, solid; vertical
D
IR 5 2.83 SR. position

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 D 4804
APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE COMPARATIVE BURNING CHARACTERISTICS OF NONRIGID
SOLID MATERIALS IN A VERTICAL POSITION

X1.1 This appendix describes a classification system that TABLE X1.1 Material Classifications
can be used to characterize the burning behavior of nonrigid Criteria Conditions VTM-0 VTM-1 VTM-2
materials, supported in a vertical position, in response to a Afterflame time for each individual specimen #10s #30s #30s
small-flame ignition source. The use of a category designation t1 or t2.
code is optional and is determined by examining the test results Total afterflame time for any condition set (t1 #50s #250s #250s
of materials tested by this test method. Each category code plus t2 for the five specimens)
represents a preferred range of performance levels that simpli-
Afterflame plus afterglow time for each #30s #60s #60s
fies description in material designations or specifications and individual specimen after the second flame
may assist certification bodies to determine compliance with application (t2 + t3)
applicable requirements.
Afterflame or afterglow of any specimen up to No No No
the 125-mm mark
X1.2 The behavior of specimens may be classified in one of
the categories shown in Table X1.1 by selecting the appropriate Cotton indicator ignited by flaming particles or No No Yes
column using test results to answer the conditional questions drops
posed.
X1.3 Recording the category designation in the test report of five specimens shall be tested. All specimens from this
is optional. second set shall comply with the appropriate requirements in
order for the material in that thickness to be classified VTM-0,
X1.4 If only one specimen from a set of five specimens VTM-1, or VTM-2.
fails to comply with the requirements of 11.1.3 or the total
number of seconds of flaming is in the range of 51 to 55 s for X1.5 If the material does not comply with this criteria, the
VTM-0 or 251 to 255 for VTM-1 or VTM-2, an additional set material may be tested in accordance with Test Method D 635.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the location of selected changes to this test method. For the convenience of the user,
Committee D-20 has highlighted those changes that may impact the use of this test method. This section may
also include descriptions of the changes or reasons for the changes, or both.

D 4804–98: (7) Added a micrometer (6.11), pressure-sensitive adhesive

(1) Test Method B has been removed and relocated in Test tape (6.12) and a weighing scale or balance (6.13) to the
Method D 635. apparatus section.
(2) Added an ISO equivalency statement (Note 1). (8) Added a note to use wire to wrap specimens if the tape is
(3) Added an option to use a Classification System to catego- not adequate (Note 3).
rize materials (1.2, 12.1.9 and Appendix X1). (9) Added requirements for the amount of cotton to be used
(4) Added references to Practices D 5207 and E 691, Termi- (10.2).
nology E 176 and ISO 9773. Removed reference to D 635. (10) Added a requirement to calibrate the flame to Practice
(5) Provided terminology for afterflame, afterflame time, D 5207 (10.3).
afterglow, and afterglow time (3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5 and 3.2.6). (11) Removed the calculation for the standard deviation and
(6) Removed references to inch-pound units and added toler- added a calculation for determining the total afterflame time
ances to critical dimensions for harmonization with ISO 9773. and the arithmetic mean of the afterflame time (11.1 and 11.2).

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