Horizontal burning test for foamed plastics - UL 94

In this test, a horizontally oriented test specimen is exposed to a small flame ignition source with a nominal thermal power of 50 W. Together with other UL 94 tests, the results are used to classify plastic materials' flammability performance. The HB classification can be achieved with this test. The test will be performed according to UL 94 sixth edition, clause 7, and you will receive an ISO 17025 accredited test report as a result.

In the test, a vertically oriented test specimen is exposed to a small flame ignition source with a nominal thermal power of 50 W. Together with the horizontal burning test, the results are used to assess plastic materials' flammability performance. One of the following classifications can be granted on the basis of this test: V2, V1, or V0. The test will be performed according to UL 94 sixth edition, clause 8. An ISO 17025 accredited test report will be provided.

In this test, a vertically oriented test specimen is exposed to a small flame ignition source with a nominal thermal power of 500 W. Together with the horizontal burning test and the 50 W vertical burning test, this test is used to classify plastic materials' flammability performance. One of the following classifications can be achieved: 5VB or 5VA. The material should already be classified as V0 or V1 before this test is conducted. Testing is performed according to UL 94 sixth edition, clause 9. You will receive an ISO 17025 accredited report as a result.

The ISO 4589-2 oxygen index test is used to evaluate the fire behavior of certain railway materials according to the EN 45545-2 standard. It is required to meet requirements R22, R23, and R24, which apply to products such as insulators, seals, pipes, and hoses. The oxygen index (OI) is the minimum volume-based percentage of oxygen in an oxygen-nitrogen mixture required to support the combustion of the sample under specified conditions. For a material to meet EN 45545-2 requirements, the OI must be at least 28% (hazard classes HL1 and HL2) or at least 32% (HL3). Testing is performed on 20 replicate samples, with the required specimen size depending on the material: 80−150 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm for mould-made materials, such as plastics, 80−150 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm for porous materials, such as foams, 140 mm x 52 mm x d, where d < 10.5 mm, for flexible films, sheets, and fabrics.

Smoke and toxicity testing by IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 2 is performed on surface materials to assess their suitability for marine use. The specimen is placed in a horizontal position under a cone radiator inside a smoke-density chamber. During the test, the specimen starts to emit smoke, which is collected in the closed chamber. The density of smoke is detected optically. When making toxicity measurements with FTIR, the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen bromide (HBr), hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), nitrogen oxides NO_x (NO + NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are measured. Classification criteria for smoke An average (D_m) of the maximum of D_s of three tests at each test condition should be within the following limits: D_m 200 for materials used as the surface of bulkheads, linings, or ceilings, D_m 400 for materials used as a primary deck covering, D_m 500 for materials used as a floor covering , D_m 400 for plastic pipes and electric cables. Classification criteria for toxicity The gas concentrations measured at each test condition should be within the following limits: CO 1450 ppm, HCl 600 ppm, HBr 600 ppm, HF 600 ppm, HCN 140 ppm , NO_x 350 ppm , SO₂ 120 ppm (200 ppm for flooring).

X-Ray Reflectometry (XRR) analysis is used to measure the density (g/cm3), thickness (nm), and roughness (nm) of thin films. The method is applicable to the characterization of single- or multilayered thin films, as it provides information on the thickness and density of individual layers of the sample material as well as the roughness of the interphases. Greatest accuracy for XRR thickness measurements is generally achieved for samples containing 1-150 nm thick surface layers with under 5 nm RMS roughness. Thicker films and coatings with rougher surfaces can also be characterized, but the accuracy of thickness determination decreases as the thickness and roughness of the film or film stack increase. >150 mm wafers are typically cut to fit the sample holder. Please let us know if you need testing for larger wafers that cannot be cut into pieces. The available temperature range for XRR measurements is 25-1100 °C, and crystallinity can be studied as a function of temperature. The measurements can be performed under a normal atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum. Measurements are typically performed using one of the following instruments: Rigaku SmartLab, Panalytical X'Pert Pro MRD, Bruker D8 Discover. Please let us know if you have a preference for a specific instrument.

The burning rate of horizontally mounted materials designed to be used in vehicles and buses must be tested with the UN/ECE R118 annex 6 test before they can be approved for use. Measurlabs offers this and the other R118 tests with accreditation. In the test method, the exposed side of the test specimen is burned from underneath and the burning rate is measured and expressed in mm/min.

The melting behavior of fusible materials used in certain motor vehicles must be determined according to Annex 7 of UN/ECE Regulation 118. In the test, it is monitored whether the specimen ignites, creates flaming droplets, and if these droplets ignite cotton wool placed under the specimen. For the material to pass the test, there must be no formation of flaming drops that ignite the cotton wool. Measurlabs can offer accredited test reports for the UN/ECE R118 Annex 7 test, as well as the Annex 6 and Annex 8 tests. Non-isotropic materials must be tested from both sides, which means that double the number of samples is required.

Determination of microplastics in wastewater using FTIR microspectroscopy. The results of the analysis will specify different types of polymers by size, for example, 10–50 µm, 50–100 µm, 100–500 µm, and >500 µm. This analysis is suitable for natural waters and typical wastewater samples. Please note that both of these matrices need digestion sample preparation due to the possible solid particles in the samples. For special water matrices (process water, industrial water, etc.), please contact the method expert before ordering.

IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 8 testing for upholstered furniture is used to assess the suitability of materials for maritime use. The results can be used for type approval (wheel mark). The testing is performed on the actual product or a small-scale test chair consisting of the cover and filling components of the product. Materials needed for the test are as follows x 3: Cover: 800 mm x 650 mm, Back-filling: 450 mm x 300 mm x 75 mm , Seat-filling: 450 mm x 150 mm x 75 mm. During the cigarette test, a cigarette is lighted and positioned axially along the junction between the seat and the back. The test assembly is not allowed to smolder after one hour from the beginning of the test. In the burner tube test, a burner tube with a propane flame is allowed to burn for 20 seconds, positioned axially along the junction between the seat and the back. No flaming or progressive smoldering is allowed to continue for more than 120 seconds after the removal of the burner tube.