Designation: D 3801 – 00

Standard Test Method for

Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid
Plastics in a Vertical Position1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3801; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope * bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See 9.1.1 for a

1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers a small-scale specific hazard statement.
laboratory procedure for determining comparative burning 2. Referenced Documents
characteristics of solid-plastic material, using a 20-mm flame
applied to the base of specimens held in a vertical position. 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and
NOTE 1—This test method and Test Method B of IEC 60695-11-10 are Time of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizon-
equivalent. IEC 60695-11-10 has replaced ISO 1210.
tal Position2
NOTE 2—For additional information on materials that burn up to the
holding clamp by this test method, see Test Method D 635. For test D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics2
methods of flexible plastics in the form of thin sheets and film, see Test 7D 4804 Test Methods for Determining the Flammability
Methods D 4804. For additional information on comparative burning Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics3
characteristics and resistance to burn-through, see Test Method D 5048. D 5025 Specification for a Laboratory Burner Used for
1.2 This test method was developed for polymeric materials Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials3
used for parts in devices and appliances. The results are D 5048 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burn-
intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their accept- ing Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of
ability with respect to flammability for a particular application. Solid Plastics Using a 125-mm Flame3
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The final acceptance of the material is dependent upon its use D 5207 Practice for Calibration of 20 and 125-mm Test
in complete equipment that conforms with the standards Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materi-
applicable to such equipment. als3
1.3 The classification system described in the appendix is E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards4
intended for quality assurance and the preselection of compo- E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
nent materials for products. Determine the Precision of a Test Method5
1.4 It is possible that this test is applicable to nonmetallic 2.2 IEC Standard:6
materials other than plastics. Such application is outside the 60695-11-10 Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-10: Test
scope of this technical committee. Flames—50W Horizontal and Vertical Flame Test Meth-
1.5 This test method is not intended to cover plastics when ods
used as materials for building construction or finishing. 2.3 ISO Standard:6
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the ISO 1210 Plastics—Determination of the Burning Behav-
standard. iour of Horizontal and Vertical Specimens in Contact with
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the a Small-Flame Ignition Source
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and 3. Terminology
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk 3.1 Definitions—For terms relating to plastics, the defini-
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under tions in this test method are in accordance with Terminology
actual fire conditions. D 883. For terms relating to fire, the definitions used in this test
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the method are in accordance with Terminology E 176.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
1 4
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
5
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
6
(Section D20.30.03). Publications of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2000. Published March 2001. Originally International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are available from ANSI, 11 W.
published as D 3801 – 87. Last previous edition D 3801 – 96e1. 42nd St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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 D 3801
3.2.1 afterflame—persistence of flaming of a material, after uniform gas flow. Natural gas having an energy density of 37
the ignition source has been removed. 6 1 MJ/m3 has been found to provide similar results. However,
3.2.2 afterflame time—the length of time for which a technical-grade methane gas shall be used as the referee gas in
material continues to flame, under specified conditions, after cases of dispute.
the ignition source has been removed. 6.5 Timing Device, accurate to 0.5 s.
3.2.3 afterglow—persistence of glowing of a material, after 6.6 Cotton, absorbent 100 % cotton.
cessation of flaming or, if no flaming occurs, after removal of 6.7 Desiccator, containing anhydrous calcium chloride or
the ignition source. other drying agent, capable of being maintained at 23 6 2°C
3.2.4 afterglow time—the length of time for which a mate- and relative humidity not exceeding 20 %.
rial continues to glow under specified test conditions, after the 6.8 Conditioning Room or Chamber, capable of being
ignition source has been removed or cessation of flaming, or maintained at 23 6 2°C and a relative humidity of 50 6 5 %.
both. 6.9 Conditioning Oven, a full-draft circulating-air oven

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3.2.5 flame-impingement time—the time in seconds that the capable of being maintained at 70 6 1°C.
flame from the burner is in contact with the specimen. 6.10 Micrometer, having a resolution of at least 0.01 mm.
3.2.6 flaming material—flaming drips or particles from the
specimen that ignite the absorbent 100 % cotton. 7. Test Specimens
7.1 The standard specimen geometry shall be 13.0 6 0.5 by
4. Summary of Test Method 125 6 5 mm in the thickness appropriate to the objectives of
4.1 The procedure consists of subjecting a set of specimens the determination. Materials thicker than 13 mm shall not be
of identical composition and geometry to a standard test flame tested by this test method.
for two 10-s flame applications. The afterflame time is recorded 7.2 Surfaces shall be smooth and unbroken. Corner radius
after the first flame application, and the afterflame and after- shall not exceed 1.3 mm. After any cutting operation, edges
glow times are recorded after the second flame application. shall be fine-sanded to remove burrs, saw marks, and residual
Information is also recorded on whether or not flaming material filaments.
drips from the specimen.
8. Conditioning
5. Significance and Use
8.1 Condition specimen sets as follows:
5.1 The tests results represent afterflame and afterglow time 8.1.1 Condition one set of five specimens for at least 48 h at
in seconds for a material of specified shape, under the a temperature of 23 6 2°C and a relative humidity of 506 5 %
conditions of this test method. prior to testing. Once removed from the conditioning room or
5.2 The effect of material thickness, color additives, and chamber, specimens shall be tested within one hour.
possible loss of volatile components is measurable. 8.1.2 Condition a second set of five specimens in a
5.3 The results, when tabulated, are potentially useful as a circulating-air oven for 168 h at 70 6 1°C and then cool in a
reference for comparing the relative performance of materials desiccator for at least 4 h at room temperature prior to testing.
and as an aid in material selection. Once removed from the desiccator, specimens shall be tested
5.4 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or within 30 min.
more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test 8.2 All specimens shall be tested in a laboratory atmosphere
conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are of 15 to 35°C and 45 to 75 % relative humidity.
changed, it may not be possible by or from this test method to
predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics mea- 9. Procedure
sured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire-test- 9.1 Conduct the burning test in a chamber, enclosure, or
exposure conditions described in this test method. laboratory hood free of induced or forced draft.
6. Apparatus 9.1.1 Warning—Combustion products contain toxic com-
pounds. A system to contain and remove the products of
6.1 Test Chamber, enclosed laboratory hood or chamber, combustion after a test, such as a laboratory hood with an
free of induced or forced draft during test, having an inside exhaust fan, is required.
volume of at least 0.5 m3. An enclosed laboratory hood with a 9.2 Clamp a specimen from the upper 6 mm of its length,
heat-resistant glass window and an exhaust fan for removing with the longitudinal axis vertical, so that the lower end of the
the products of combustion after the tests is recommended. specimen is 300 6 10 mm above a horizontal layer of cotton,
NOTE 3—Laboratory hoods may have induced drafts even with the approximately 50 by 50 mm, thinned to a maximum uncom-
exhaust fan off. A positive-closing damper may be needed. pressed thickness of 6 mm, maximum mass of 0.08 g. See Fig.
NOTE 4—A mirror in the chamber, to provide a rear view of the 1.
specimen, has been found useful in some enclosures. 9.3 Place the burner remote from the specimen, ignite, and
6.2 Laboratory Burner, constructed in accordance with adjust it to produce a blue flame 20 6 2 mm high. Adjust the
Specification D 5025. gas supply and the air ports of the burner until a 20-mm
6.3 Ring Stand, with a clamp or the equivalent, adjustable yellow-tipped blue flame is produced, and then increase the air
for vertical positioning of specimens. supply until the yellow tip just disappears. Measure the height
6.4 Gas Supply, a supply of technical-grade methane gas, of the flame. If the flame height is not 20 6 2 mm, adjust the
minimum 98 % pure, with suitable regulator and meter for burner gas supply to give the proper flame height.

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 D 3801
purposes of positioning the top of the burner tube. Always
apply the flame to the bottom of the major portion of the
specimen.
9.6 Repeat the procedure in 9.2-9.5 on the remaining
specimens for each set.

10. Calculation

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10.1 Calculate the total afterflame time for each set of five
specimens, tf , using the following formula:
5
tf 5 ( ~t1,i 1 t2,i!
i51
(1)

where:
tf = total flaming time, s,
t1,i = afterflame time after the first flame impingement, s,
of the ith specimen, and
t2,i = afterflame time after the second flame impingement,
FIG. 1 Vertical Burning Test for V-0, V-1, and V-2 Classification s, of the ith specimen.
10.2 Calculate the arithmetic mean of the afterflame time
for each flame impingement, t1 and t2, and the afterflame plus
NOTE 5—See Practice D 5207 for recommended back pressure and flow
rate for the gas supply and calibration procedure for the 20-mm flame.
afterglow time for the second flame impingement, t2 plus t3,
recorded for each set of five specimens to the nearest second.
9.4 Place the test flame centrally under the lower end of the
test specimen with the burner tube 10 6 1 mm below the 11. Report
specimen and maintain that distance for a flame-impingement
time of 10.0 6 0.5 s, moving the burner as necessary in 11.1 The complete report shall include the following:
response to any changes in the length or position of the 11.1.1 Material Identification—Include generic description,
specimen. Withdraw the test flame sufficiently so that there is manufacturer, commercial designation, lot number, and color.
no effect on the burning specimen (see Note 6) and measure the 11.1.2 Conditioning or aging.
afterflame time, in seconds. When the flaming of the specimen 11.1.2.1 Conditioning time at 23 6 2°C, h.
ceases, immediately place the test flame under the specimen 11.1.2.2 Cooling time in desiccator, h.
again (see Note 7) maintaining a distance of 10 6 1 mm for a 11.1.3 Individual test specimen data.
flame-impingement time of 10.0 6 0.5 s. After this second 11.1.3.1 Thickness.
flame application, withdraw the test flame (see Note 6) and
11.1.3.2 Afterflame time after first flame impingement.
measure the afterflame and afterglow times, in seconds. Record
the afterflame time after the first flame application as t1. Record 11.1.3.3 Afterflame time after second flame impingement.
the afterflame and afterglow times after the second flame 11.1.3.4 Afterflame plus afterglow time after second flame
application as t2 and t3, respectively. Note and record whether impingement.
any particles fall from the specimen and, if so, whether they 11.1.3.5 Whether or not the specimen burned up to the
ignite the cotton. holding clamp.
11.1.3.6 Whether or not the specimen dripped flaming
NOTE 6—Withdrawing the burner a distance of 150 mm from the
specimen while measuring t1, t2, and t3 has been found suitable. material which ignited the cotton.
NOTE 7—When the flaming of the specimen ceases after the first flame 11.1.4 The total afterflame time for each set of five speci-
application, the second flame application shall be started immediately. The mens.
test shall not be interrupted, for example, to record data or replace cotton. 11.1.5 Arithmetic mean of burning times (afterflame and
NOTE 8—Measuring and recording the afterflame time t2 and then
afterglow) for each specimen set.
continuing the measurement of the sum of the afterflame time t2 and the
afterglow time t3, (without resetting the timing device) has been found
satisfactory in the recording of t3. 12. Precision and Bias
9.5 If the specimen drips molten or flaming material during 12.1 Precision—Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3 are based on
either flame application, tilt the burner to an angle up to 45°, a round robin conducted in accordance with Practice E 691.
and withdraw the burner slightly from one of the sides of the For each material, all the samples were prepared at one source,
specimens during the flame application to avoid dripping into but the individual specimens were conducted in accordance
the tube of the burner. If the specimen drips molten or flaming with 8.1.1 by the laboratories that tested them. Each test result
material, or is consumed during the test, hand-hold the burner was the average of five individual determinations.
and maintain the proper distance between the bottom of the 12.1.1 The polypropylene (I and II), polyphthalamide, and
specimen and the top of the burner tube during the flame polysulfone materials were tested by 18 laboratories. Each
application. Disregard any molten strings of material for laboratory obtained two test results for each material. The

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 D 3801
TABLE 1 First Impingement, Afterflame Time TABLE 3 Second Impingement, Afterflame Plus Afterglow
Values, s Values, s
Material Material
Average SrA SRB rC
R D
Average SrA SRB rC RD
Polyamide 0.7 0.2 0.4 0.6 1.1 Polyamide 3.0 1.1 3.2 3.0 9.0
Polypropylene II 2.0 0.6 2.1 1.6 5.8 Polypropylene I 3.1 1.1 2.3 3.1 6.5
Polyphthalamide 2.6 0.8 1.5 2.1 4.3 Polyphthalamide 4.7 1.3 3.1 3.8 8.7
Polypropylene I 2.7 0.9 1.8 2.4 5.0 Polypropylene II 4.7 1.5 4.1 4.2 11.5
Polysulfone 5.4 1.6 2.9 4.5 8.1 Polysulfone 9.2 2.7 3.2 7.7 8.9
A A
Sr = within-laboratory standard deviation for the indicated material. It is Sr = within-laboratory standard deviation for the indicated material. It is
obtained by pooling the within-laboratory standard deviations of the test results obtained by pooling the within-laboratory standard deviations of the test results

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from all of the paticipating laboratories: from all of the paticipating laboratories:
1 1
Sr 5 @@~S1!2 1 ~S2!2 ... 1 ~Sn!2 #/n#2 Sr 5 @@~S1!2 1 ~S2!2 ... 1 ~Sn!2 #/n#2
B B
SR = between-laboratories reproducibility, expressed as standard deviation: SR = between-laboratories reproducibility, expressed as standard deviation:
1 1
SR 5 @Sr 2 1 SL 2 #2 SR 5 @Sr 2 1 SL 2 #2
where SL where SL
5 standard deviation of laboratory means. 5 standard deviation of laboratory means.
C
r = within-laboratory critical interval between two test results = 2.8 3 Sr . C
r = within-laboratory critical interval between two test results = 2.8 3 Sr .
D
R = between-laboratories critical interval between two test results = 2.8 3 D
R = between-laboratories critical interval between two test results = 2.8 3
SR . SR .

TABLE 2 Second Impingement, Afterflame Time

Values, s 12.2 Concept of r and R—If Sr and SR have been calculated
Material
Average SrA SRB rC RD from a large enough body of data, and for test results that were
Polyamide 3.0 1.1 3.2 3.0 9.0 averages from testing five specimens, then:
Polypropylene I 1.4 0.6 1.2 1.6 3.2
Polyphthalamide 4.4 1.4 3.2 3.9 8.8
12.2.1 Repeatability—r is the interval representating the
Polypropylene II 4.5 1.5 4.2 4.2 11.7 critical difference between two test results for the same
Polysulfone 8.8 2.6 3.1 7.3 8.6 material, obtained by the same operator using the same
A
Sr = within-laboratory standard deviation for the indicated material. It is equipment on the same day in the same laboratory. The two test
obtained by pooling the within-laboratory standard deviations of the test results
from all of the paticipating laboratories:
results shall be judged not equivalent if they differ by more
1 than the r value for that material.
Sr 5 @@~S1!2 1 ~S2!2 ... 1 ~Sn!2 #/n#2
B
SR = between-laboratories reproducibility, expressed as standard deviation: 12.2.2 Reproducibility—R is the interval representating the
1
SR 5 @Sr 2 1 SL 2 #2 critical difference between two test results for the same
where SL material, obtained by different operators using different equip-
5 standard deviation of laboratory means.
C
r = within-laboratory critical interval between two test results = 2.8 3 Sr .
ment in different laboratories, not necessarily on the same day.
D
R = between-laboratories critical interval between two test results = 2.8 3 The two test results shall be judged not equivalent if they differ
SR . by more than the R value for that material.
12.2.3 Any judgment in accordance with 12.2.1 and 12.2.2
round robin was conducted in 1994.7 would have an approximate 95 % (0.95) probability of being
12.1.2 The polyamide material was tested by seven labora- correct.
tories. Each laboratory obtained four test results. The round
robin was conducted in 1995.8 12.3 Bias—There are no recognized standards by which to
estimate bias of this test method.
NOTE 9—Caution: The following explanations of r and R (12.2-12.2.3)
are only intended to present a meaningful way of considering the
13. Keywords
approximate precision of this test method. The data in Table 1, Table 2,
and Table 3 should not be applied to the acceptance or rejection of 13.1 burning characteristics; flammability; plastics; solid;
materials, as these data apply only to the materials tested in the round small-scale burning tests; vertical burning tests
robin and are unlikely to be rigorously representative of other lots,
formulations, conditions, materials, or laboratories. Users of this test
method should apply the principles outlined in Practice E 691 to generate
data specific to their laboratory and materials, or between specific
laboratories. The principles of 12.2-12.2.3 would then be valid for such
data.

7
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR: D20-
K069.
8
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D20-
1188.

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 D 3801
APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE COMPARATIVE BURNING CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID
PLASTICS IN A VERTICAL POSITION

X1.1 This appendix describes a classification system that TABLE X1.1 Materials ClassificationsA
can be used to characterize the burning behavior of rigid Criteria Conditions V-0 V-1 V-2
materials, supported in a vertical position, in response to a Afterflame time for each individual #10 s #30 s #30 s
small-flame ignition source. The use of a category designation specimen, t1 or t2
Total afterflame time for any condition #50 s #250 s #250 s
code is optional and is determined by examining the test results set (t1 plus t2 for the five specimens)
of materials tested by this test method. Each category code Afterflame plus afterglow time for each #30 s #60 s #60 s
represents a preferred range of performance levels that simpli- individual specimen after the second
flame application (t2 + t3)
fies description in material designations or specifications and Afterflame or afterglow of any specimen No No No
may assist certification bodies to determine compliance with up to the holding clamp
applicable requirements. Cotton indicator ignited by flaming No No Yes
particles or drops
X1.2 The behavior of specimens may be classified in one of A
If only one specimen from a set of five specimens does not comply with the
the categories shown in Table X1.1 by selecting the appropriate requirements, another set of five specimens shall be tested. In the case of the total
number of seconds of flaming, an additional set of five specimens shall be tested
column using test results to answer the conditional questions if the totals are in the range from 51 to 55 s for V-0 and from 251 to 255 s for V-1
posed. and V-2. All specimens from this second set shall comply with the appropriate
requirements in order for the material in that thickness to be classified V-0, V-1, or
X1.3 Recording the category designation in the test report V-2.

is optional.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the location of selected changes to this test method. For the convenience of the user,
Committee D20 has highlighted those changes that may impact the use of this test method. This section may also
include descriptions of the changes or reasons for the changes, or both.
--`,,,,,,,``,,`,,,,```,``,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

D 3801 – 00: (5) Added micrometer to Apparatus, new 6.10.

(1) Updated ISO/IEC equivalency statement. (6) Added requirement to 9.1.1 to test within one hour after
(2) Deleted reference to ASTM D 3713. removal of specimens from conditioning room or chamber.
(3) Deleted section on sampling.
(7) Added Note 8.
(4) Added tolerances on gas supply in 6.4.

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