With few exceptions, as pressure, temperature, and the concentration of oxygen levels increase, materials such as metals, plastics, elastomers, lubricants, and contaminants become more flammable. Our team evaluates the susceptibility of ignition and relative flammability of materials and components with known ignition sources in accordance with NASA Technical Standard “Flammability, Offgassing, and Compatibility Requirements and Test Procedures“, NASA-STD-6001 and ASTM International test methods. We can also design variants to these tests to meet your needs.
Standardized Tests
Flammability – The ability to ignite and sustain burning
- Upward Flame Propagation (NASA Test 1)
- Upward Flammability of Materials in GOX (NASA Test 17)
- Standard Test Method for Determining the Combustion Behavior of Metallic Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres (ASTM G124)
- Standard Test Method for Autogenous Ignition Temperature of Liquids and Solids in a High-Pressure Oxygen-Enriched Environment (ASTM G72)
Rapid Pressurization (a.k.a. heat of compression or adiabatic compression) – Heat generated when a gas is rapidly compressed from a low pressure to a high pressure creating an ignition hazard.
- Ignition Sensitivity of Nonmetallic Materials and Components by Gaseous Fluid Impact (ASTM G74)
- Gaseous Fluid Impact for Components (NASA supplemental test)
- Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Ignition Sensitivity and Fault Tolerance of Oxygen Pressure Regulators Used for Medical and Emergency Applications (ASTM G175)
Mechanical Impact – Heat generated due to single or repeated impacts on a material with sufficient energy to ignite it.
- Determining Ignition Sensitivity of Materials to Mechanical Impact in Ambient Liquid Oxygen and Pressurized Liquid and Gaseous Oxygen Environments (ASTM G 86)
- Standard Test Method for Compatibility of Materials with Liquid Oxygen (Impact Sensitivity Threshold and Pass-Fail Techniques) (ASTM D 2512)
- Mechanical Impact in Liquid or Gaseous Oxygen (NASA Test 13A and 13B)
Electrical Arc – Sufficient electrical current arcing from a power source with enough energy to ignite the material receiving the arc.
- Arc Tracking (Dry Arc Propagation Resistance) (NASA Test 18)
Supplemental Tests
- Particle Impact — Heat generated when small particles strike a material with sufficient velocity to ignite the particle and/or the material.
Particle Impact (NASA Supplemental Test) - Galling and Friction — Heat generated by the rubbing of two or more parts together.
Frictional Heating (NASA Supplemental Test) - Static Discharge — Discharge of accumulated static charge with enough energy to ignite the material receiving the charge.
Research and Standards Development
Additional ignition sources recognized in the oxygen community are being researched by our team.
- Flow Friction — Heat generated when oxygen flows across a polymer and produces erosion, friction, and/or vibration.
- Resonance — Acoustic oscillations within resonant cavities that cause rapid temperature rise.