The UL 94 flame test is a widely used standard for assessing the burning characteristics of plastics under fire conditions. This test was developed by the U.S. Safety Laboratory (UL) and is widely used in the plastic products manufacturing industry worldwide.
The purpose of the UL 94 flame test is to evaluate the burning properties of a material during combustion and its effect on the safety of people and property. The results of the test can be used to determine the combustion rating and flammability of materials and whether they are safe for practical use.
The basic principle of the UL 94 flame test is to place a plastic sample under a specific flame and measure parameters such as its burning time, burning rate, flame propagation speed and dripping. Based on the test results, plastic materials can be classified into the following combustion classes:
V-0: The material does not burn within 10 seconds, the flame duration does not exceed 30 seconds and no dripping occurs.
V-1: The material does not burn within 30 seconds, the flame duration does not exceed 60 seconds and no dripping occurs.
V-2: The material will not burn for 30 seconds, the flame duration will not exceed 60 seconds and no dripping will occur.
HB: The material will drip during combustion, but the flame will not propagate horizontally.
The UL 94 flame test is a very important test standard and is essential to ensure that plastic products are safe for use. All major UL 94 flame tester manufacturers are required to follow this standard when developing new plastic products to ensure compliance and safety.