EN ISO 1516:2002 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 1516:2002 - Determination of flash/no flash - Closed cup equilibrium method (ISO 1516:2002) is a CEN-endorsed international test method for determining whether paints, varnishes, paint binders, solvents, petroleum and related products emit sufficient flammable vapour to ignite when held at a selected equilibrium temperature and exposed to a standard ignition source. This is a flash/no flash (pass/fail) procedure performed in a closed cup under temperature-equilibrium conditions. It assesses behaviour at a given temperature rather than measuring the exact flash point.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test principle: Sample is placed in a closed cup held in a thermostatted bath; after at least 10 minutes at the selected equilibrium temperature an ignition trial is performed by introducing a small flame into the cup and observing ignition (yes/no).
• Apparatus requirements:
  • Closed cup with tightly fitting cover, opening slide and ignition device.
  • Ignition flame diameter: 3–4 mm; ignition sequence (open → position flame → remove → close) in 2–3 seconds (mechanical devices allowed if compliant).
  • Thermostatted bath and thermometry capable of maintaining and measuring temperature to ±0.5 °C.
• Applicable temperature range: method usable over –30 °C to 110 °C, depending on the specific closed-cup design. Typical ranges per apparatus:
  • Pensky‑Martens (ISO 2719): 10 to 110 °C
  • Abel (ISO 13736): –30 to 80 °C
  • ASTM D56 (Tag): up to 93 °C
  • DIN Abel‑Pensky: –30 to 65 °C
• Scope limits:
  • Not applicable to water‑borne paints (use ISO 3680 instead).
  • Exercise caution when interpreting results for solvent mixtures containing halogenated hydrocarbons (possible anomalous behaviour).

Applications and who uses this standard

• Used by testing laboratories, manufacturers and quality-control teams in:
  • Paints, varnishes and coatings industry
  • Solvent and chemical manufacturers
  • Petroleum product processors and distributors
  • Regulatory, storage and transport safety assessors
• Practical applications:
  • Regulatory compliance for storage/transport of flammable liquids
  • Routine pass/fail screening to determine safe handling temperatures
  • QA checks before shipment or use to reduce fire risk

Related standards

• ISO 1523 - Determination of flash point (closed cup equilibrium)
• ISO 3680 - Closed cup equilibrium method for water-borne paints
• ISO 2719 - Pensky‑Martens closed cup method
• ISO 13736 / DIN 51755 - Abel closed cup methods
• ASTM D56 - Tag closed cup tester
• ISO 15528, ISO 3170, ISO 3171 - Sampling and sample handling standards

This concise summary of ISO 1516:2002 highlights its practical value for safety screening of flammable vapour emission using the closed cup equilibrium flash/no flash method.