SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 March 2026
STP165320240034

Ignitability and Flammability Evaluation of Metallic Disc-Shaped Specimens: A Complementary Approach to ASTM G124-18

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The test method proposed in ASTM G124-18, in which a metal specimen is exposed to the combustion of a pyrotechnic promoter, is the reference for combustion testing of metals. Nevertheless, this test method is limited to a rod-shaped specimen configuration, which is not representative of all geometries encountered in industrial oxygen service. The newly developed testing facility presented in this paper is designed to study the ignition and flammability of disc-shaped specimens, with the aim of providing new data for oxygen fire risk analysis and subsequent ignition mitigation strategy based on an in-depth understanding and quantification of the feared phenomenon of ignition and of propagation thresholds. Laser is used as an ignition source alternative to a pyrotechnic promoter. Laser heat deposition on the tested specimen is precise and repeatable and can be tailored by adapting the laser power and duration to be representative of the energy sources that may exist in industrial practice. This study considered factors such as oxygen pressure up to 100 barg, purity, velocity, materials chemistry, sample temperature, thickness, and inclination, with the objective to expose the tested material to the condition representative of its final utilization. Instrumentation such as a high-speed camera combined with an optical pyrometer gave access to the specimen's surface temperature and aspect evolutions during ignition genesis, ignition, and fire propagation. Ignition characteristics such as ignition temperature and minimum ignition energy were determined. Flammability behavior was evaluated as well. To illustrate the functionality of this setup, the ignition and flammability results of several aluminum alloys in disc-shaped configuration are presented, such as aluminum alloys AA2011, A356, and AA7050. These results are compared with that from the combustion method promoted by ASTM G124-18, with the aim of pointing out the limits of extrapolating results from a rod to a hollow vessel configuration.

Author Information

Ridlova, Martina
Air Liquide R&D, Paris Innovation Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, FR
Zauner, Andy
Air Liquide R&D, Paris Innovation Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, FR
Joly, Romain
Air Liquide R&D, Paris Innovation Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, FR
Gallienne, Nicolas
Air Liquide R&D, Paris Innovation Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, FR
Coste, Frédéric
Air Liquide R&D, Paris Innovation Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, FR PIMM Laboratory, Arts et Métiers Sciences et Technologies, CNRS, CNAM, HESAM, Paris, FR
Le Clainche, Florent
Air Liquide France Industry/Large Industry, Bagneux, FR
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Pages: 258–294
DOI: 10.1520/STP165320240034
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-7754-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-7753-6