An open cup flash point detector is shown that rapidly increases the temperature of the substance being tested until temperature is close to a theoretical flash point. Thereafter, as temperature is slowly increased, an igniter flame moves in an arc over the upper lip of the test cup while simultaneously a UV sensor senses a wedge-shaped area, also immediately over the upper lip of the test cup. The arc of the igniter flame and the wedge-shaped area do not overlap. By incremental increases in temperature and repeating the arc movement of the igniter flame, the flash point can be detected by the UV sensor.

A combustion test system includes a power source and a corona generator coupled to the power source. The combustion test system also includes a charge storage device. The charge storage device includes a charging surface spaced apart from the corona generator such that charge carriers, motivated by an electric field of the corona generator, intersect the charging surface to charge the charge storage device. The combustion test system also includes a first electrode coupled to the charge storage device and a second electrode coupled to a reference ground. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode to produce an electrical arc between the first electrode and the second electrode based on a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode.

An open cup flash point detector is shown that rapidly increases the temperature of the substance being tested until temperature is close to a theoretical flash point. Thereafter, as temperature is slowly increased, an igniter flame moves in an arc over the upper lip of the test cup while simultaneously a UV sensor senses a wedge-shaped area, also immediately over the upper lip of the test cup. The arc of the igniter flame and the wedge-shaped area do not overlap. By incremental increases in temperature and repeating the arc movement of the igniter flame, the flash point can be detected by the UV sensor.

An example autoignition system includes a pressure vessel defining a vessel chamber. The vessel chamber is configured to be pressurized to about 101 kPa (1 atmosphere). The autoignition system also includes a furnace disposed in the vessel chamber. The furnace defines a furnace chamber and the furnace is configured to control the temperature of the furnace chamber. The furnace also defines at least one sample inlet. The autoignition system additionally includes at least one gas source configured to supply a gas to the vessel chamber thereby pressurizing the vessel chamber to about 101 kPa and at least one pressure sensor configured to determine a pressure of the vessel chamber.

An example autoignition system includes a pressure vessel defining a vessel chamber. The vessel chamber is configured to be pressurized to about 101 kPa (1 atmosphere). The autoignition system also includes a furnace disposed in the vessel chamber. The furnace defines a furnace chamber and the furnace is configured to control the temperature of the furnace chamber. The furnace also defines at least one sample inlet. The autoignition system additionally includes at least one gas source configured to supply a gas to the vessel chamber thereby pressurizing the vessel chamber to about 101 kPa and at least one pressure sensor configured to determine a pressure of the vessel chamber.

Incendivity test systems and methods are disclosed. Incendivity test systems include a non-flammable gas mixture and a test article. The non-flammable gas mixture includes a thermally reactive reagent that is formulated to thermally react to produce a reaction product. Incendivity test systems also include an energy source configured to apply an energy discharge such as a simulated lightning strike to the test article. Incendivity test systems also include a detection device configured to measure an indicator species in the non-flammable gas mixture (e.g., the thermally reactive reagent and/or the reaction product). Incendivity test methods include contacting the test article with the non-flammable gas mixture, applying the energy discharge to the test article, and then measuring the amount of the indicator species and determining the incendivity of the test article in response to the energy discharge based upon the amount of the indicator species.

Incendivity test systems and methods are disclosed. Incendivity test systems include a non-flammable gas mixture and a test article. The non-flammable gas mixture includes a thermally reactive reagent that is formulated to thermally react to produce a reaction product. Incendivity test systems also include an energy source configured to apply an energy discharge such as a simulated lightning strike to the test article. Incendivity test systems also include a detection device configured to measure an indicator species in the non-flammable gas mixture (e.g., the thermally reactive reagent and/or the reaction product). Incendivity test methods include contacting the test article with the non-flammable gas mixture, applying the energy discharge to the test article, and then measuring the amount of the indicator species and determining the incendivity of the test article in response to the energy discharge based upon the amount of the indicator species.

In a device for controlling the temperature of a test sample in a measuring device for measuring material properties of the test sample, comprising a measuring cell for receiving the test sample, at least one temperature controlling element, and a thermal storage element coupled to the temperature controlling element to transfer heat, wherein means are provided for changing the thermal resistance between the thermal storage element and the measuring cell in order to selectively couple or decouple the thermal storage element and the measuring cell in terms of heat transfer, the ratio of the thermal capacity of the thermal storage element to the thermal capacity of the measuring cell is greater than 1:1, preferably at least 2:1, preferably at least 5:1.

In a device for controlling the temperature of a test sample in a measuring device for measuring material properties of the test sample, comprising a measuring cell for receiving the test sample, at least one temperature controlling element, and a thermal storage element coupled to the temperature controlling element to transfer heat, wherein means are provided for changing the thermal resistance between the thermal storage element and the measuring cell in order to selectively couple or decouple the thermal storage element and the measuring cell in terms of heat transfer, the ratio of the thermal capacity of the thermal storage element to the thermal capacity of the measuring cell is greater than 1:1, preferably at least 2:1, preferably at least 5:1.

Incendivity test systems and methods are disclosed. Incendivity test systems include a non-flammable gas mixture and a test article in a test chamber. The non-flammable gas mixture includes a thermally reactive reagent that is formulated to thermally react to produce a reaction product. Incendivity test systems also include an energy source configured to apply an energy discharge such as a simulated lightning strike to the test article. Incendivity test systems also include a detection device configured to measure an indicator species in the non-flammable gas mixture (e.g., the thermally reactive reagent and/or the reaction product). Incendivity test methods include contacting the test article with the non-flammable gas mixture, applying the energy discharge to the test article, and then measuring the amount of the indicator species and determining the incendivity of the test article in response to the energy discharge based upon the amount of the indicator species.