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EU A.9: Flashpoint

The flash point gives some indication of how easy it is to initiate the burning of this substance.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the flash point.

It is useful to have preliminary information on the flammability of the substance before performing this test.

Study Design

Course of the test

Apparatus - A flash point tester with a continuously closed cup (equivalent to the Pensky Martens method)

Test Conditions - The test will be performed at room temperature in a laboratory fume hood.

Heating Rate: 

  • approx. 5.5 °C/min for non-viscous liquids
  • approx. 1.3 °C/min for high-viscous liquids

The test item will be placed in a test vessel which will be progressively heated until the vapour reaches a sufficiently high concentration in air to produce a flammable mixture which could be ignited by an electric arc. A flash point tester with a continuously closed cup will be used. The results of this apparatus are equivalent to the Pensky Martens method.

A preliminary test will be performed to determine the range of the flash point. The heat will be supplied at such rate that the temperature as indicated by the thermometer increases about 8.5 °C/min. An attempt will be made to ignite the vapour of the test item at each temperature that is a multiple of 5 °C, starting at room temperature or at 1 °C above the melting point (for melting points below 200 °C). No further testing will be performed if no flash point will be detected up to 400 °C.

If a flash point will be expected from the preliminary test, the main study will be performed. The heat will be supplied at such rate that the temperature as indicated by the thermometer increases about 1.3 °C/min or 5.5 °C/min. The starting temperature should be approximately 18 °C below the flash point (if applicable) found in the preliminary test, at least at 1 °C above the melting point of the test item. The flash point should be tested at each temperature that is a multiple of 1 °C. If a flash point of > 110 °C is to be expected, each temperature that is a multiple of 2 °C will be tested.

The test procedure as outlined above will be repeated after emptying and recharging until at least two successive determinations agree within the limits specified for repeatability (2 °C).

Endpoints

The mean flash point temperature [°C] will be reported (if applicable).

Guidelines and Literature

  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 laying down test methods pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (originally published as Council Regulation (EC) No 440/2008, corrigendum according to Official Journal of the European Union (EN) dated June 3, 2008, L 143/55), Annex, Part A, A.9.: “Flash Point”, Official Journal of the European Union, L 142, Volume 51, 31 May 2008
  • ASTM designation D 7094-04, Flash Point by Modified Continuosly Closed Cup (MCCCFP) Tester, November 2004