METHODS OF TEST FOR PAINTS AND VARNISHES : PART A8 : FLASH/NO FLASH TEST - CLOSED CUP EQUILIBRIUM METHOD (FIRST REVISION)
This Malaysian Standard specifies a method to determine if a flammable material such as a
paint, varnish, paint binder, solvent, petroleum or a related product, when maintained at a
selected equilibrium temperature and under the conditions of the test, gives off sufficient
flammable vapour at this temperature to cause ignition on application of an external source of
flame applied in a standard manner.
This method of test does not determine the flashpoint of the product under test, but merely its
behaviour at the selected equilibrium temperature as may be required to comply with laws or
regulations relating to the storage, transport and use of flammable products. For this purpose it
is unnecessary to determine the exact flashpoint but it is necessary to determine whether or not
flashing occurs at a single given temperature.
By the procedure specified, differences between test apparatus of various standard designs are
minimized by ensuring that the test is carried out only when the product under test and the
air/vapour mixture above it in the test vessel are exactly in temperature equilibrium.
The method is suitable for use over the temperature range 5 to 65°C, although some of the
apparatus listed in Appendix A cannot cover all of this range using the thermometer supplied
with the apparatus. The procedure also makes allowance for deviations from standard
atmospheric pressure.
