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Jul 21, 2025
A proposed ASTM International standard aims to establish consistent specifications for accelerating rate calorimeters (ARCs), which are critical tools for measuring thermal runaway hazards in materials, batteries, and chemicals. The proposed standard (WK95114) is being developed by the calorimetry and mass loss subcommittee (E37.01), part of ASTM’s thermal measurements committee (E37).
According to ASTM member Xiaowei Guo, WK95114 will serve as a critical safety benchmark across multiple industries. Its primary applications include battery safety, chemical safety, and materials development. The proposed standard will decrease the chances that electric cars, laptop batteries, and household chemicals overheat or catch fire.
“Think of an accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) as a 'stress test instrument' for dangerous heat buildup—like when a phone battery swells or a chemical container overheats,” says Guo, secretary general of the Standardization Committee of China Instrument & Control Society. “Right now, different labs might get different results from these tests because the performance of the ARC is different.”
Guo notes that the proposed standard will serve as an instruction manual that ensures everyone performs these safety checks the same way. This will help companies to design safer products and regulators to spot real dangers faster.
This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7 on affordable and clean energy, #9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, and #12 on responsible consumption and production.
ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN.
September / October 2025
