SEDL / STP / STP1284-EB / STP16289S

Ease of Extinction — An Alternative Approach to Liquid Flammability

Nelson, GL
Dean, College of Science and Liberal Arts, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 1996

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Abstract

Traditionally fluid fire resistance testing has focused on ignitability under specific test conditions. It is well known, however, that fluids of similar flashpoint can differ substantially in their abilities to sustain fire. One technique which has been used extensively to measure ease of extinction of solid plastic strips is oxygen index. This simple test has also been applied to 1000 compounds including hydraulic fluids, lubricating oils, and silicone fluids. This paper reviews data on fluids and powders and discusses how oxygen index can be used to provide additional insight into the flammability behavior of fluids.