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.