In: Civil Engineering
What are the significance and the accuracy of asphalt flash and fire test
Generally bitumen related works are done under high temperature and so there might be chance that the temperature can be so high that the material can catch fire. While working with bituminous materials we need to take care about the temperature.
To make the bitumen work in safe manner and to know safe application temperature value of different bitumen grades Flash and fire test are carried out.
Flash point: It is the lowest temperature at which there is a quick catch of fire by the vapours of the material that remains for very less time as a flash of fire under definite condition of test.
Fire point: It is the lowest temperature at which the material ignites of completely catches fire and remains for at least 5 seconds under definite condition of test.
When bituminous work are carried at very higher temperature they behaves as volatile. Hydro Carbons are contained by these vapours which makes them highly flammable as they come in contact with high temperature. And so it is very neccessary to know the mixing and application temperature value of the bitumen to work safely.
Significance of flash and fire point of asphalt :
1. It gives the indication of the fire hazard when it comes to bitumen work. Even the evaporation or vapour loses can be known from the test.
2. We can know the maximum temperature at which we can carry out different works such as mixing it, transporting it and appliction of it.
3. We can know the efficiency of different grades of asphalt with respective temperature.
4. Detection of the contamination of the given asphalt or bitumen product can also be know.
Generally we consider the flash and fire point as given below
Minimum flash point : 175oC
Minimum fire point: 175oC + 5oC.