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D2863-23 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
ASTM D2863-23 is a fire-test-response standard that measures the minimum oxygen concentration to support candle-like combustion of plastics. It provides a consistent method for evaluating the flammability of plastic materials under controlled conditions.
📐 Specimen Geometry and Types
This standard defines six specimen types to accommodate various material forms, including rigid bars, sheets, flexible films, and cellular materials. Table 1 lists these types with their standard dimensions.
| 🟦 Type | 📏 Dimensions (mm) | 📐 Material Form | 🎯 Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 80–150 × 10 × 4 | Rigid, self-supporting | – |
| II | 80–150 × 10 × ≤10.5 | Rigid sheet or laminated | – |
| III | 80–150 × 10 × as received | Flexible film | – |
| IV | 80–150 × 10 × ≤10.5 | Cellular with density >15 | >15 |
| V | 80–150 × 10 × ≤10.5 | Cellular with density <15 | <15 |
| VI | 80–150 × 10 × ≤10.5 | Laminated materials | – |
⚙️ Test Procedure and Speed Selection
The standard provides three test procedures: Procedure A (top surface ignition), Procedure B (propagating ignition), and Procedure C (short procedure for comparison with a specified value). The selection depends on the material behavior and test objective.
⚠️ Safety Note: Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property must be employed, as emphasized in Section 1.10 of the standard.
Table 2 outlines the key parameters for each procedure.
| ⚡ Parameter | Procedure A | Procedure B | Procedure C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition Type | Top surface | Propagating | Top surface or propagating |
| Ignition Time (s) | 30 |