Rationale

For samples where the end-uses are unknown (unknown substrate, unknown if the material will be used with an air gap or not), or where the substrate is not practical to test with (example – skin for testing of fabrics/textiles normally worn in direct contact with human skin), some clarity of instruction is needed since mounting method will directly affect measured results in the cone calorimeter. Currently, E1354 speaks to samples greater than 6mm thick and how to test them, but provides no guidance or instructions on how to handle test specimens/samples less than 6mm thick. It should be noted that E1354 is used for research, as well as potential codes & regulations use. The majority of samples tested and published in the scientific literature for research are less than 6mm thick. Additionally, ISO 5660 (which is the ISO version of ASTM E1354) does allow for testing samples thinner than 6mm on the ceramic fiber insulation.