Flammability Tester

Flammability Tester (UL94) is a smart technology that is used to perform Standardized testing applications for assuring that the Plastic Materials are flammability safe for parts in devices and appliances. It is very important to note that this test does not compare the real-life fire hazards a specimen can face, it just guides in categorizing sample as per its resistance to flammability situations. Plastic parts which are utilized by electronic products or in computer systems must be resistant to fire incidents. This material can easily catch fire and damage the entire body. Customers demand that the plastic material used in such devices must clear the UL 94 standard. Therefore, selecting the best and reliable testing system is very important. Presto’s Flammability Tester for interior materials consists of a Combustion chamber in which the test is conducted, a test specimen holder in which the test specimen is mounted during the Test, a standard Bunsen burner to provide the flame, and a set of timers for timing the flame application time and flaming time.

Resistance to the propagation of flame of materials used in the interiors of motor vehicles is determined by finding the horizontal burning rate of test specimen taken from the material under test after application of a standard flame at one end of the specimen for a period of fifteen seconds. The test Specimen is placed horizontally on the sample holder placed inside the Combustion chamber and flame from a Bunsen burner is applied at its End. The ratio of the burnt distance and time was taken to burn through this distance gives a measure of the flammability.

This combustion chamber is made from a 14SWG stainless steel sheet and has one toughened glass window for observing the test specimen during the test. It has a set of ten vent holes of 19mm diameter on its Bottom and a vent slot of 15mm width on all four sides at its top. It is also provided with a channel for sliding in the test specimen holder. The combustion chamber is placed on four 10 mm high legs. The test burner is a standard Bunsen burner fixed such that its tip is at a specified location below the test specimen. An arrangement to Control the flow of gas to the burner to control the height of the flame is also provided. A collection pan is provided below the test specimen holder to collect the products of combustion. The pan can be moved from outside of the combustion chamber. A preset electronic timer automatically starts as soon as the test. The specimen is brought in position above the Bunsen burner and also cuts off the gas supply to the burner after a set period of the timer. Stopwatches that can be started and stopped manually measure the time taken for the flame to move from the first reference point to the second reference point.

If you want to test your specimen with the help of this testing instrument then you need to prepare the sample first. To successfully prepare it, you can take a piece of the sample that you want to test. Now, cut the sample to the specified dimensions. After that, open the front door from the front panel of the device. Now fix the test specimen in position (either in horizontal or vertical).

For the installation of the machine, you can follow the below-mentioned steps:

• The equipment shall preferably be placed inside a chamber to enable the products of combustion to be sucked out with the help of an exhaust fan.
• Before conducting the test, an LPG gas connection is to be given to the apparatus. LPG can be supplied through a centralized gas distribution pipeline if the facility is available. Alternatively, a supply of gas can be given from any LPG cylinder, which can be placed near the equipment and connection made with the help of a flexible pipe.
• If the ash collection tray contains any residue from an earlier test, take it out and replace it, after cleaning it thoroughly.
• Now, turn ON the machine by plugging the main socket of the machine into a 3 pin 5 amp socket.
• Now turn on the gas supply through the gas control valve. Fix the test specimen in position (vertical or horizontal) as per the test requirement. Set the burner Alignment position (90/ 30/45 degree). Set the flame application time on the “Flame Application Timer” to the desired time of the sample. Push the start button.
• Set the ignition time of flame. The ignition time of flame with stop automatically after the set time and the timer will be continued till the sample is burnt. Stop the timer manually. Record the time of flame spread for the specimen. This is the actual burn time.

In this way, you can easily commence the test. Now, you will be able to successfully evaluate the results.

Features of Flammability Tester

Whenever you commence the test with the help of a Presto flammability tester, then you need to place the specimen accurately. View all connections and check switches so that you will not face any issues. Here we have created a list of several features you will get with the use of this lab testing equipment.

• Equipped with Digital 7 Segment Display
• Automatic Flame Stop mechanism installed
• A complete set of specimen holders is available to ensure a strong grip
• An LPG empty cylinder is also a part of the offer
• Automated timer initiation through limit switches
• Easy installation.
• Low maintenance

Technical specifications

• Specimen Size – 1/2″X5″ for Horizontal and Vertical Burning Test and 8″X2″ for Vertical Burning Test using Thin Material
• Accuracy – ± 2% at full range.
• Power – 220V, Single phase, 50 Hz
• Specimen Holder Angle – 45° & 90°
• Material – Stainless Steel
• The distance between Burner & Specimen – 10mm±1mm
• Digital Timer Range – 999.9 Second
• Digital Timer Least Count – 0.1 second
• Igniting Flame Length – 20mm±1