Have you heard about the flammability test? Very important in the analysis of polymers, this test is based on the approximation, or the contact, of a polymeric material to a radiant panel or the flame. This allows for a better analysis of its behavior.
Depending on the purpose of the resin, performing this check is essential to prevent accidents caused by fires. This is because each compound reacts differently when exposed to heat, and can spread the flame at different speeds.
To understand more about what does flammable mean, we prepared a complete article about the flammability test on polymers for power and telecommunication wires and cables. Keep following the Polyexcel blog to improve your knowledge of the compounds sector!
Why perform the flammability test?
The main objective of the flammability test is to verify the behavior of the polymeric material when it comes in contact with the flame or an intense heat source. Another point analyzed during this moment is whether the polymer flammability meets the current laws and regulations related to the products of the chemical industry.
Predicting if is polymer flammable is essential in some types of applications. The flammability test is even more important when the intention is to evaluate compounds that will be applied in the insulation of power and telecommunications wires and cables.
This is because some compounds used in electrical insulation must meet the requirement for high flame resistance, as is the case with Polyexcel’s HFFR. Thus, it is possible to avoid or delay fire in a case generated by electrical overload, increasing the safety of homes and businesses.
Furthermore, flammability can help in the evaluation of materials used in the internal lining of vehicles. In this case, the function of the test is to ensure that these materials have good quality, increasing the safety of passengers.
What characteristics can be measured?
One of the characteristics that can be evaluated during a flammability test is the self-extinguishing ability of the compound. According to the UL94 standard on flammability testing, a polymer can be classified as self-extinguishing if it supports the flame for a certain time.
When the polymer does not present this characteristic, the flame propagation occurs much more quickly. In such cases, the tendency is for the fire to spread due to the dripping of small pieces of plastic melted into flames, which potentiates the density of the smoke.
Standards and legislation
Several national and international bodies provide standards that determine quality parameters for a polymeric compound and what property is flammability. Among the main examples are ISO 3795 and ASTM D635, Brazilian standards used to determine the burning rate of a sample.
There is also UL94, which besides pointing out the burning rate, proposes the classification of a polymeric compound in some categories, to standardize the test. Among them are 5VA, 5VB, V-0, V-1, V-2, and HB.
In Brazil, there is resolution 498 of CONTRAN (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito), responsible for regulating the performance of this test on materials that will compose a vehicle. In this case, to confirm that the material is suitable for the application, the horizontal burning rate must be less than 100 mm.
For the entire system of the polymeric compounds industry to happen in the best possible way, promoting quality materials, it is necessary to have good management. Therefore, there is ISO 9001, a Brazilian management system that aims to optimize the company’s processes, developing a more agile production.
Check out Polyexcel solutions
Present in the polymer market for almost ten years, Polyexcel is a company that is always looking for innovative research in the production of compounds. A reference in the sector, it has quality products for the insulation of power and telecommunications wires and cables.
Once you understand what is flammable, take the time to check out other articles here on the Polyexcel blog. We have a lot of content about the compounds market, the administration and management of the logistics team, and much more. Follow our news and keep learning about the sector!
