Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances

1. Atelier des Polymères Sébastien Clément Rémy Gauthier CERN 05/18 2010 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances UL 94V • The UL 94V flammability test consist  to put in contact of the fire in a time describe in the standard different polymer in :  • Film • Plate • Sheath • For testing the fire distribution of the polymer and define his reaction to the flame. Scope 1.1 These requirements cover tests for flammability of polymeric materials used for parts in devices and appliances. They are intended to serve as a preliminary indication of their acceptability with respect to flammability for a particular application. 1.1 revised June 2, 2006 1.2 The methods described in this Standard involve standard size specimens and are intended to be used solely to measure and describe the flammability properties of materials, used in devices and appliances, in response to a small open flame or radiant heat source under controlled laboratory conditions.

2. UL 94V Flammability test For the MUV scintillator we tested and compared the flammability of four different type of PLEXIGLASS (PMMA) in plate, which can be used in the experiment. Pexiglas G acrylic sheet Polystyrol 143 E GR 2 crystal clear 00013 Saint -Gobain crystals BC-408 In this test we need to have five samples by material with the following dimension :        Length : 125mm / Width 13mm / Thickness 13mm

3. UL 94V Flammability test • We made the test in two phases for each sample. consisting in two exposition of 10 seconds to the bec Bunsen  flame and after every exposition we measure the time to the flame take to stop burning and the effect of the fire, can we see toxic smoke, flaming drips etc..

4. UL94 serves as a preliminary indication of a plastic’s acceptability for use as part of a device or appliance with respect to its flammability. It is not intended to reflect the hazards of a material under actual fire conditions. UL94 Flammability Rating V-0 Vertical Burn Burning stops within 10 seconds after two applications of ten seconds each of a flame to a test bar. NO flaming drips are allowed. V-1 Vertical Burn Burning stops within 60 seconds after two applications of ten seconds each of a flame to a test bar. NO flaming drips are allowed. V-2 Vertical Burn Burning stops within 60 seconds after two applications of ten seconds each of a flame to a test bar. Flaming drips ARE allowed.

5. We can see that these four samples did not meet the standard test UL 94V in a reason of their fast and high flammability. All 4 samples burn after the first exposure of 10 seconds to the bec Bunsen and the presence of flaming drips and toxic smokes. • However, by elimination the PLEXIGLAS G acrilic has the advantage of making flaming drips only after one minute unlike others who dripped instantly over the flame but it is more difficult to extinguish. • CONCLUSION: • Following the standard test UL 94V, these four materials are "VERY FLAMMABLE“ and hazardous to fire exposure but PLEXIGLAS G acrilic it also dangerous as the other but little bit less flammable. Pexiglas G acrylic sheet

6. Thanks for your attention