Republic of the Philippines

Cebu Technological University - Main Campus

M.J. Cuenco Avenue Corner R. Palma St.,
Cebu City
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Name: Fernandez, Trisha Janua J. M.E Laboratory

1

Course/Yr. & Sec.: BSME III-A Instructor: Engr. Aivan Adams V.

Saberon

GROUP 01
Experiment Plate No. 01

FLASH AND FIRE POINTS OF GEAR OIL

OBJECTIVE:
To determine flashpoint and fire point of a Brake Fluid Dot
3 using Butane Portable Card Type Stove
THEORY / HYPOTHESIS:
The flash point of a substance is the lowest temperature at
which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture with air.
There are different theories and hypotheses regarding the factors
that affect the flash point of a substance. One theory is that
the flash point is related to the volatility of the substance.
Volatility refers to the tendency of a substance to vaporize or
evaporate. Substances with higher volatility are more likely to
have lower flash points because they can easily form ignitable
vapors. Another theory is that the flash point is related to the
chemical structure of the substance. Certain chemical groups,
such as oxygen or nitrogen, can increase the likelihood of a
substance forming ignitable vapors, and thus decrease its flash
point. A hypothesis related to the flash point is that it can be
affected by the presence of impurities or contaminants in the
substance. Impurities can lower the flash point by reducing the
energy required for the substance to form ignitable vapors.
Additionally, it's hypothesized that the flash point can be
influenced by external factors such as pressure, humidity, and
air flow. High pressure and low humidity can increase the flash
point, while low pressure and high humidity can decrease it. Air
flow can also affect the flash point by carrying away ignitable
vapors or increasing the rate of evaporation. Overall, there are
many factors that can affect the flash point of a substance, and
understanding these factors is important for evaluating the
safety and performance of different substances in various
applications. The fire point is a property of a substance that
indicates the temperature at which it will ignite and continue to
burn in the presence of an external flame. It is related to the
flash point, which is the temperature at which a substance will
produce a flash of fire when exposed to an ignition source. The
fire point is typically higher than the flash point, as it
requires a higher temperature to sustain a flame. One theory or
hypothesis related to the fire point is that it is dependent on
the chemical composition of the substance being tested. Different
substances have different molecular structures, which can affect
their reactivity and flammability. For example, substances with
long hydrocarbon chains may have higher fire points than those
with shorter chains, as the longer chains provide more surface
area for oxygen to react with and sustain a flame. Another
hypothesis is that the fire point is influenced by environmental
factors such as pressure and humidity. Higher pressures and humid
conditions may make it more difficult for a substance to ignite
and sustain a flame, thus increasing its fire point. Overall, the
determination of the fire point involves careful experimentation
and analysis to identify the precise temperature at which a
substance will ignite and continue to burn. This information is
important for ensuring safety in various industrial and
commercial applications, where the risk of fire and explosion
must be minimized.

LIST OF APPARATUS:

 Butane Portable Card Type Stove

 Butane
 Open Flame Igniter
 Thermal Imager
 Ceramic Small Dish
 Wire Gauze

SET-UP OF APPARATUS:

PROCEDURES:
1. Set up the flashpoint or fire point apparatus by
installing butane to the Butane Portable Card Type
Stove and putting Wire Gauze at the top of it.
2. Put oil of Brake Fluid to the Ceramic Small Dish,
typically about 100 ml, then put it on the top of the
Wire Gauze
 3. For the flash point test, heat the sample slowly and
continuously using a Butane Portable Card Type Stove,
while stirring the liquid gently. Use an Open Flame
Igniter to test for the flash point at regular
intervals.
4. For the fire point test, heat the sample more rapidly
until it reaches the flash point, then continue heating
until the liquid ignites and sustains combustion for at
least five seconds.
5. Record the temperature at which the flashpoint or fire
point occurs using the thermal Imager.
6. Repeat the test two more times, using fresh samples
each time, to ensure consistency and accuracy of the
results.

DATA AND RESULTS:

OIL FLASHPOINT FIRE POINT

PRODUC (℃) (℃)
T
TRIA TRIA TRIA AVERAG TRIA TRIA TRIA AVERAG
BRAKE L 1 L 2 L 3 E L 1 L 2 L 3 E
FLUID
DOT 3 135. 133. 134. 134.3 153. 153. 153. 153.6
4 2 3 6 4 8

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:
For Flashpoint:

Average Flashpoint= ∑ FLASHPOINT

TOTAL NO . OF TRIALS

(135.4 +133.2+134.3)℃
Average Flashpoint=
3
Average Flashpoint= 134.3℃
For Fire Point:

Average Fire Point= ∑ FIRE POINT

TOTAL NO . OF TRIALS

(153.6+153.4 +153.8)℃
Average Fire Point=
3
Average Fire Point=153.6℃

DISCUSSION:
The flash point and fire point of Brake and Clutch Fluid Dot 3
can indeed be determined through an experiment called a flash
point and fire point test. These tests are specifically designed
to measure the lowest temperature at which the Brake and Clutch
Fluid Dot 3 gives off enough vapor to ignite and burn. The flash
point test involves heating a small sample of the substance in a
closed container and periodically introducing an ignition source.
The temperature gradually increased until the Brake and Clutch
Fluid Dot 3 gives off enough vapor to ignite momentarily. The
temperature at which this occurs is the flash point. After the
flash point is determined, the fire point test is conducted.

OBSERVATION:
In this test, the temperature gradually increased while the
ignition source is reintroduced periodically. The temperature is
increased until the Brake and Clutch Fluid Dot 3 gives off enough
vapor to ignite and continues burning for at least 5 seconds. The
temperature at which this occurs is the fire point. It is
important to note that during the tests, the sample is heated
slowly and carefully to avoid any unexpected reactions or
hazards. The flash point and fire point values obtained from
conducting three trials and it is important to understand the
flammability and potential hazards associated with the Brake and
Clutch Fluid Dot 3.
CONCLUSION:
Brake and Clutch Fluid Dot 3 can be used to determine its
flash point and fire point. The flash point is the lowest
temperature at which the fluid gives off enough vapor to ignite
momentarily. The temperature gradually increased until the fluid
ignites, and this temperature is recorded as the flash point. As
the temperature continues to increase, the fluid burns for at
least 5 seconds, and the temperature at which this occurs is the
fire point. To determine the flash point and fire point of Brake
and Clutch Fluid Dot 3, the substance is heated gradually, and an
ignition source is periodically introduced until the flash point
and fire point are reached. After conducting three trials, the
average temperature at which the flash point occurred was found
to be 134.73 degrees, while the fire point occurred at an average
temperature of 152.7 degrees.
RECOMMENDATION:
To improve future experiments, it is recommended that
students use multiple substances to explore the different flash
points and fire points of each substance. This approach would
provide a more comprehensive understanding of the behavior of
different substances when subjected to heat and an ignition
source.