Fire reaction test UL94 and Glow Wire Test consist in simulating thermal stress that can be produced by heat or ignition sources to assess fire danger.
These tests are important as polymers are characterised by inherent combustibility, therefore it is necessary to check the correct usage of the tested material in order to prevent from danger while involving the material in risky sectors.
The UL-94 V test consists in placing sample (a standardised sample test of 1.6mm or 3.2mm thick) with only one side of it clamped in vertical position, the other side of the sample is exposed to fire for 10 seconds. After terminating this first exposure to fire, the phase of sample observation starts and it consists in immediate fire extinguishing, sample dripping, etc. As the sample extinguishes, the process mentioned will be repeated twice and the sample will be exposed to fire again for 10 seconds. Final results will be compared with a class table of flame resistance V0, V1, V2 and then one of these classes will be assigned to the tested material.
The Glow Wire Test (IEC/EN 60695) simulates the effect of thermal stress that could occur in electronic products such as overloaded resistors, incandescent elements etc. This test consists in placing sample in contact with an incandescent wire for a given time. The incandescent wire consists in coil of resistive electrically heated wire. Then a series of measurements and observations are carried out with the purpose to determine whether samples have met test requirements.
