LINEAR FLAME PROPAGATION RATE OF LUBE OILS AND HYDRAULIC FLUIDS: ASTM D5306
EXPLANATION
The linear flame propagation rate of a sample is a property that is relevant to the overall assessment of flammability or relative ignitability of fire resistance lubricants and hydraulic fluids. It is intended to be used as a bench scale test for distinguishing between the relative resistance to ignition of such materials. It is not intended to be used for the evaluation of the relative flammability of flammable, extremely flammable, or volatile fuels, solvents, or chemicals.
This test method covers the determination of the linear flame propagation rates of lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids supported on the surface of and impregnated into ceramic fiber media. The data thus generated are to be used for the comparison of relative flammability. This test method should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, and assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions, However, results of this test method may be used as elements of fire risk which takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
TEST SUMMARY
A section of a ceramic fiber support medium (string) is impregnated with the sample under specific conditions. The impregnated fiber is placed on a standard support. The sample is ignited and the time required for the flame front to propagate across a measured distance is determined by means of a thermoelectric system. The average propagation rate is then calculated from the measured distance of the flame travel and the time required for the flame front to propagate over that distance.
TEST PRECISION
The precision of this test method based on use of different kinds of fluids is given in Table A1.1 of the Test Method ASTM D5306. Since it is a complex table, it is not reproduced here.
No bias statement is possible because the linear flame propagation rate can be defined only in terms of this test method.
