The Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits Number

2215 Sanders Road • Northbrook, IL 60062-6135 2.3.8

Subject
Flammability, Flexible Insulating Materials

Date Revision
12/82 A
IPC-TM-650 Originating Task Group
TEST METHODS MANUAL N/A

1 Scope This method describes a procedure for determin-

ing the relative flammability of organic films and reinforced
(Minimum Dimension 45 cm H x 7.5 cm I.D.)
composites by measuring the minimum concentration of oxy-
gen in a gaseous mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just
support combustion. It is based on ASTM Standard
D2863-77 but modified to cover thin flexible printed wiring
materials.

2 Applicable Documents None 3

3 Test Specimen 1

2 4
3.1 When evaluating copper clad laminate, the copper foil
5
shall be removed by standard commercial practices before 15
6
conducting this test. After etching, the samples shall be dried
30 minutes at 107°C in a forced air oven.
7
14
3.2 Condition samples for 24 hours at 23°C ± 2°C and 50%
± 5% RH.

3.3 Cut at least 10 specimens 6.25 mm wide by an appro-

priate length. With a suitable marker, make a transverse line
across the specimen 50 mm from one end. 8 12
9 13
3.4 Using protective gloves, crease non-reinforced materials
10
in half and parallel to the long axis of the specimen. Open
specimen before testing. 11

1. Burning Specimen
4 Test Equipment 2. Clamp with Rod Support
3. Igniter 10. Orifice in Holder
4. Wire Screen 11. Pressure Gauge
4.1 Test Column This is a heat-resistant glass tube of 7.5
5. Ring Stand 12. Precision Pressure
cm minimum inside diameter and 45 cm minimum height. The 6. Glass Beads in a Bed Regulator
bottom of the column or the base to which the tube is 7. Brass Base 13. Filter
attached shall contain noncombustible material to mix and 8. Tee 14. Needle Value
9. Cut-Off Valve 15. Rotameter
evenly distribute the gas mixture entering at this base. Glass
IPC-2-3-8-1
beads 3 mm to 5 mm in diameter in a bed 80 mm to 100 mm
deep have been found suitable (an example is shown in Fig- Figure 1 Glass Column
ure 1).
4.4 Flow Measurement and Control Devices Suitable
4.2 Specimen Holder Details of the recommended speci- flow measurement and control devices shall be available in
men holder are shown in Figure 2. each line, which will allow monitoring the volumetric flow of
each gas into the column within 1%. After the flow is mea-
4.3 Gas Supply Commercial grade (or better) oxygen and sured in each line, the lines should be joined to allow the
nitrogen shall be used. gases to mix before being fed into the column.

Material in this Test Methods Manual was voluntarily established by Technical Committees of the IPC. This material is advisory only
and its use or adaptation is entirely voluntary. IPC disclaims all liability of any kind as to the use, application, or adaptation of this Page 1 of 3
material. Users are also wholly responsible for protecting themselves against all claims or liabilities for patent infringement.
Equipment referenced is for the convenience of the user and does not imply endorsement by the IPC.
 IPC-TM-650
Number Subject Date
2.3.8 Flammability, Flexible Insulating Materials 12/82

Revision
A

5.6 Ignite the top of the specimen until ignition is apparent or

for a maximum of 15 seconds. Remove the ignition flame and
start the time.

5.7 A valid test shall be when a sample burns uniformly for

IPC-2-3-8-2
three minutes or a distance of 50 mm.
Figure 2 Thin Film Sample Holder
5.8 The concentration of oxygen must be raised if the speci-
4.5 Ignition Source The igniter should be a tube with a men is extinguished before burning three minutes or 50 mm.
hydrogen, propane, or natural gas flame at the end of the col-
umn to ignite the test specimen. A suitable flame may be from 5.9 Adjust the oxygen concentration, insert a new specimen
6 mm to 12 mm long. or, if the previous specimen is long enough, turn it end for end
or cut off the burned end, then purge and reignite.
4.6 Timer A suitable timer capable of indicating at least 10
minutes and accurate to five seconds shall be used. 5.10 Continue repeating the test until the limiting concentra-
tion of oxygen is determined. This is the lowest oxygen con-
4.7 Soot, Fumes, and Heat Removal To ensure the centration that will meet the conditions of 5.3. At the next
removal of toxic fumes, soot, heat, and other possible noxious lower oxygen concentration possible with the equipment, the
products, the column shall be installed in a hood or other specimen should extinguish.
facility to provide adequate exhaust.
5.11 For a material having consistent burning characteris-
5 Procedure tics, the difference in oxygen concentration between burning
and extinguishing will be reproducible within 0.1% to 0.3%,
5.1 Calibrate the flow measuring system at least every six depending on the sensitivity of the flow measuring equipment
months. and upon the particular oxygen concentration involved. Some
materials, however, exhibit erratic burning characteristics
5.2 Clamp the specimen in the holder vertically in the because of inhomogeneity, char formation, dripping, bending,
approximate center of the column with the top of the speci- etc., which cause less reproducible results. In such cases, the
men at least 100 mm below the top of the open column. limiting concentration should be determined by a statistical
testing method.
5.3 Select the desired initial concentration of oxygen based
on past experience with similar materials. If there is no expe- 5.12 Perform the test at least three times by starting at a
rience with the material, light a specimen in the air and note slightly different flow rate still within the 3 cm/sec. to 5
the burning. If the specimen burns rapidly, start at a concen- cm/sec. limit.
tration of about 18% but, if the specimen goes out, select a
concentration of about 25% or higher, depending on the diffi- 5.13 Calculate the oxygen index, n, of the material as fol-
culty of ignition and time of burning. lows:

5.4 Set the flow valves so that the desired initial concentra- n, % = (100 x O2)/(O2 + N2)
tion of oxygen is flowing through the column. The gas flow where O2 is the volumetric flow of oxygen, cm3/sec., at the
rate in the column shall be 4 cm ± 1 cm/sec., as calculated at limiting concentration determined, and N2 is the correspond-
standard temperature (0°C) and pressure (760 mm Hg) from ing volumetric flow rate of nitrogen, cm3/sec.
the total flow of the gas in cm3/sec. divided by the area of the
column in cm2. 5.14 Report The report shall include everything stated in
5.14.1 through 5.14.5.
5.5 Allow the gas to flow for 60 seconds to purge the sys-
tem.

Page 2 of 3
 IPC-TM-650
Number Subject Date
2.3.8 Flammability, Flexible Insulating Materials 12/82

Revision
A

5.14.1 Description of the material tested including as much 6 Notes

as is known about the type, source, manufacturer, manufac-
turer’s code number, form and principle dimensions, and pre- 6.1 Oxygen Index The minimum concentration of oxygen,
vious history expressed as volume percent, in a mixture of oxygen and
nitrogen that will only support combustion of a material under
5.14.2 Test specimen dimensions the conditions of this method.

5.14.3 Average oxygen index value 6.2 Principle of Method The minimum concentration of
oxygen is in a slowly rising mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that
5.14.4 Individual oxygen index values found for each of the will just support combustion and is measured under equilib-
tests rium conditions of candle-like burning. The balance between
the heat from the combustion of the specimen and the heat
5.14.5 Description of any unusual behavior such as char- lost to the surroundings establishes the equilibrium. This point
ring, dripping, bending, etc. is approached from both sides of the critical oxygen concen-
tration in order to establish the oxygen index.

Page 3 of 3