Ignition point – fire point

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

This is a key criterion for classifying a product's hazard level according to CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations. A low flash point indicates greater flammability, while a high flash point reflects better thermal stability.

Principles and methods of analysis

The ignition point is determined using standardized methods in closed or open vessels, allowing measurement of the temperature at which the vapors released by a sample briefly ignite:

• Pensky-Martens method (ISO 2719) : closed vessel test suitable for petroleum products, solvents, paints and liquid polymers.
• Cleveland method : open vessel test for fats, oils, bitumen or solid residues.
• Thermogravimetry (TGA / TGA) : used to analyze mass loss and thermal decomposition phenomena prior to ignition.

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

To complement this analysis, also see:

• 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

Measuring the flash point is essential in many sectors for chemical risk management and product safety control :

• Packaging and polymers : assessment of the 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 help to 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 in response to heat:

• Melting point for measuring the solid-liquid transition,
• Smoke point for determining 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 offer a comprehensive view of the thermal stability, safety and compliance of chemical and polymer products.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab relies on a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC , specializing in thermal, physicochemical, and materials 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 ensuring the safety of their products and compliance with European regulatory requirements .

For any specific request or quote, contact our scientific team today.