Flash point – fire point

The flash point (or fire point ) corresponds to the minimum temperature at which the vapors of a product ignite upon contact with an ignition source. This parameter is fundamental for the evaluation of the safety, storage and transport of chemical substances, solvents, oils or polymers .

This is a determining criterion for classifying the hazard of a product according to the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulation. A low flash point indicates greater flammability, while a high point indicates better thermal stability.

Principle and methods of analysis

The determination of the flash point is carried out according to standardized methods in a closed or open vessel, allowing the measurement of the temperature at which the vapors released by a sample briefly ignite:

• Pensky-Martens method (ISO 2719) : closed cup test suitable for petroleum products, solvents, paints and liquid polymers.
• Cleveland Method : Open cup test for greases, oils, bitumens or solid residues.
• Thermogravimetry (TGA / ATG) : used to analyze mass losses and thermal decomposition phenomena before ignition.

These methods provide accurate and reproducible measurement of the flash point and auto-ignition point , ensuring compliance with safety requirements for chemicals and materials.

To complete this analysis, also discover:

• analysis (TGA) to monitor thermal degradation,
• differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to identify thermal transitions,
• and the study of the degree of redox to understand the associated oxidation reactions.

Industrial applications

Flash point measurement is essential in many sectors for chemical risk management and product safety control :

• Packaging and polymers : assessment of thermal behavior and fire risk of plastic materials, films and coatings.
• Chemical industry : classification of solvents, resins, adhesives and lubricants according to their flammability.
• Food and cosmetics : control of essential oils, extracts or natural waxes during heating and formulation processes.
• Energy and environment : analysis of fuels, used oils or biodiesels for storage and regulatory compliance.

These measures ensure process safety , control of handling conditions and prevention of fire or explosion risks .

Analytical interest and complementarity

Flash point analysis is part of a set of thermal and physicochemical studies aimed at understanding the behavior of a product when faced with heat:

• Melting point to measure the solid-liquid transition,
• Smoke point to determine the thermal stability of oils,
• Enthalpy of fusion to quantify the energy required for transitions,
• Accelerated aging test to observe the effects of time and heat,
• Flammability test to evaluate the direct combustion of solid materials.

These complementary analyses provide a global vision of the thermal stability, safety and compliance of chemical and polymer products.

YesWeLab Services

ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC accredited partner laboratories , specialized in thermal, physicochemical and material safety analyses .
Our experts select the method best suited to your needs: solvent characterization, fire risk assessment, or regulatory validation according to international standards (ISO, ASTM, CLP).

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can manage your analyses online, track your samples and access your results quickly.
Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting the chemical, polymer and packaging industries in securing their products and complying with European regulatory requirements .

For any specific requests or quotes, contact our scientific team today.