ASTM D3278 standard test methods for flash point of liquids by small scale closed-cup apparatus
16. Report
16.1 When using the flash/no flash method, report whether or not the sample flashed at the required flash point and that Test Method A was used.
16.2 If an actual flash point was determined, report the mean of duplicate determinations to the nearest 0.5°C (1°F), provided the difference between the values does not exceed 1°C (2°F) and that Test Method B was used.
17. Precision and Bias
17.1 No statement is made about either the precision or bias of Test Method A-Flash/No Flash, since the result merely states whether there is conformance to the criteria for success specified in the procedure.
17.2 On the basis of an interlaboratory study of Test Method B in which one operator in each of five laboratories made two determinations on two different days on four solvents, three resins and two paints of different flash points, the intralaboratory and interlaboratory standard deviations were found to be:
Based on these standard deviations, the following criteria should be used for judging the acceptability of results at the 95 % confidence level:
17.3 Liquids at or Below 45 SUS at 20°C (100°F) or Equivalent Viscosity:
17.3.1 Repeatability - Two results, each the mean of two determinations, obtained by the same operator on different days should be considered suspect if they differ by more than 1.7°C (3°F).
17.3.2 Reproducibility - Two results, each the mean of two measurements, obtained by different laboratories, should be considered suspect if they differ by more than 3.3°C (6°F).
17.4 Viscous Liquid Above 45 SUS at 20°C (100°F) or Liquids With Dispersed Solids:
17.4.1 Repeatability - Two results, each the mean of two determinations, obtained by the same operator on different days should be considered suspect if they differ by more than 3.3°C (6°F).
17.4.2 Reproducibility - Two results, each the mean of two measurements, obtained by different laboratories should be considered suspect if they differ by more than 5°C (9°F).
17.5 A study to determine the precision for materials with a viscosity greater than 150 St has not been made.
17.6 The precision for liquid peroxides has not been determined, but the precision of liquid peroxides should be similar to that of other liquids.
17.7 Bias - No estimate of the bias of flash-point tests can be determined as no absolute values are available. In addition, the results are equipment and method dependent.
18. Keywords
18.1 flash/no flash; flash point; organic peroxides; organic solvents; small scale closed-cup apparatus