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UL-94 Horizontal/Vertical Flame Test
One flame standard often encountered in the plastics industry is the UL-94 test. Often used
for classifying wire insulation and other electronic components, the UL test provides a preliminary indication of a
material's acceptability for use as part of a device or appliance with respect to its flammability. It is not intended
to reflect the hazards of a material under actual fire conditions.
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The most common flammability standards are the Horizontal Burn method, 94HB and the more stringent Vertical Burn methods,
94V and 94VTM (used for thin materials). The flammability classification considered for a material may vary, depending on
the equipment or device involved. The vertical test includes three classifications - 94V-0, 94V-1 and 94V-2 - and would
typically be acceptable for portable, unattended, intermittent-duty, household-use appliances (i.e., coffee makers).
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In the 94V classification, a �" � 5" specimen is held vertically and a burner flame is applied to the free end of the
specimen (see figure). The flame is applied for two 10 second intervals separated by the time it takes for flaming
combustion to cease after the first application. A V-0 rating is assigned if burning stops within 10 seconds after
two applications of the flame and no flaming drips are observed. A V-1 rating is used when burning stops within 60 seconds,
again with no flaming drips. Finally the V-2 is used when the burning stops within 60 seconds, but flaming drips are observed.
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Kemgard® products can be used in many applications where materials must pass the
UL-94 test. Sherwin-Williams does have a UL-94 tester that is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of Kemgard
® flame retardants in various plastics systems. The Kemgard® laboratory is also
available for customer testing.
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