EN ISO 4589-2 Plastics - Determination of Combustion Behavior with Oxygen Index

Product Sufficiency Tests

EN ISO 4589-2 Plastics - Determination of Combustion Behavior with Oxygen Index

EUROLAB Laboratory performs EN ISO 4589-2 tests in its laboratory, in the experiment a small test sample is supported vertically in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen flowing upwards from a transparent chimney. The upper end of the sample is ignited and the subsequent burning behavior of the sample is observed to compare the duration of combustion or the burnt length of the sample with the specified limits for this type of combustion.

EN ISO 4589-2 Plastics - Determination of Combustion Behavior with Oxygen Index

By testing a series of samples at different oxygen concentrations, the minimum oxygen concentration is estimated. Alternatively, for comparison with a given minimum oxygen index value, three test samples are tested using the corresponding oxygen concentration and at least two of them must be extinguished before any relevant combustion criteria are exceeded.

ISO 4589-2:2017 specifies methods for determining the minimum volume fraction of oxygen in admixture with nitrogen that will support combustion of small vertical test specimens under specified test conditions. Results are defined as oxygen index (OI) values.

Methods are provided for testing self-supporting materials in the form of vertical bars or sheets up to 10,5 mm thick. These methods are suitable for solid, laminated or cellular materials characterized by an apparent density greater than 100 kg/m3.

The methods are also applicable to some cellular materials having an apparent density of less than 100 kg/m3. A method is provided for testing flexible sheet or film materials while supported vertically. For comparison purposes, a procedure is provided for determining whether a material's oxygen index is above a certain minimum value.

Oxygen index results obtained using the methods described in this section of ISO 4589 can provide a precise measurement of the combustion properties of materials under certain controlled laboratory conditions and can therefore be useful for quality control purposes. The results obtained depend on the shape, orientation and isolation of the test specimen and on ignition conditions. It may be necessary or appropriate to specify different test conditions for certain materials or applications. Results from test specimens of different thickness or using different ignition procedures may not be comparable and no correlation is implied with flammability behavior under other fire conditions.

EN ISO 4589-2: Oxygen Index Test for Plastic Material - relevant standards

  • IEC 60695-11-10 Fire hazard testing - Part 11-10: Test flames -50 W horizontal and vertical flame test methods
  • UL 94 Flammability Test of Plastic Materials for Appliances and Parts in Appliances
  • UL1581:2009 Reference standard for electrical wire cables and flexible cables VW-1 (clause 1080)
  • IEC 60695-2-11-2000 (GB 5169.11) Fire hazard testing - Part 2-11: Glowing/hot wire based test methods - Glow wire flammability test method for end products
  • IEC 60695-2-12-2000 (GB 5169.12) Fire hazard testing - Part 2-12: Glowing/hot wire based test methods - Glow wire flammability test method for materials
  • IEC 60695-2-13-2000 (GB 5169.13) Fire hazard testing - Part 2-13: Glowing/hot wire based test methods - Glow wire flammability test method for materials
  • ASTM D 2863 Standard Test Method for Measuring Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Promote Wax-like Burning of Plastics (Oxygen Index)

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