Introduction

First, we’ll focus on the definitions of flash point and fire point.

The flash point of a material is the lowest temperature at which the application of test flame causes the
vapours from the material momentarily catch fire in the form of a flash under specified conditions of
test.

In practical view the fire point is the lowest temperature at which the application of test flame causes
the material to ignite and burn at least for 5 seconds under specified conditions of test.

We know that, at high temperatures, bituminous materials emit hydrocarbon vapours which are
susceptible to catch fire. Therefore the heating temperature of bituminous material should be restricted
to avoid hazardous conditions. Flash point and fire point tests are used to determine the temperature to
which bituminous material can safely be heated. This is very important in roadway construction to avoid
dangerous situations when you have to deal with bitumen.

The objective of this test is to determine flash point and fire point of a given bituminous material.

Apparatus

We’ll look at the apparatus used in this test.

The whole setup is called “Cleveland Cup” apparatus.

It consists of a test cup, heating plate, test flame applicator, heater, thermometer support and heating
plate support, all conforming to the following requirements.

Now we’ll go through each part of this apparatus.

 This is the Test Cup — It is made of brass. The cup may be equipped with a handle.

 This is Heating Plate — A brass, cast iron, wrought iron, or steel plate with a center hole
surrounded by an area of plane depression, and a sheet of hard asbestos board which covers the
metal plate except over the area of plane depression in which the test cup is supported. The
metal plate may be square instead of round and have suitable extension for mounting the test
flame applicator device and the thermometer support. The metal bead is mounted on the plate
so that it extends through and slightly above a small hole in the asbestos board.

 This is the Test Flame Applicator — The device for applying the test flame may be of any
suitable design, but the tip shall be 1.6 to 5.0 mm in diameter at the end and the orifice shall
have an approximate diameter of 0.8 mm. The device for applying the test flame shall be so
mounted to permit automatic duplication of the sweep of the test flame, the radius of swing
being not less than 150 mm and the center of the orifice moving’ in a plane not more than 2.5
mm above the cup. A bead having a diameter of 3.8 to 5.4 mm may be mounted in a convenient
position on the apparatus so the size of the test flame can be compared to it. 

 This is the Heater — Heat may be supplied from any convenient source. The use of a gas burner
or alcohol lamp is permitted, but under no circumstances are products of combustion or free
flame to be allowed to come up around the cup.
 By using this nob, we can adjust the heat rate.
This switch is used to switch on and switch off the heater.

 Then we have Thermometer Support — A device which will hold the thermometer in the
specified position during a test and permits easy removal of the thermometer from the test cup
upon completion of a test.
 Thermometer: A thermometer having a range of -60 to 400C as per ASTM Standards

Preparation of the apparatus

Now we’ll focus on how to prepare the apparatus to proceed the test.

First, we need to support the apparatus on a level table.

You need to shield the top of the apparatus from strong intensity of light by any suitable means as to
detect the flash point clearly.

The test cup should be cleaned with an appropriate solvent to remove any oil or traces of gum or
residue remaining from a previous test. If any deposits of carbon are present, they should be removed
with steel wool. Flush the cup with cold water and dry for a few minutes over an open flame, on a hot
plate, or in an oven to remove the last traces of solvent and water. Cool the cup to at least 56 °C below
the expected flash point before using.

Procedure

Fill the cup; at any convenient temperature not exceeding 100 °C or above the anticipated softening
point; so that the top of the meniscus is at the filling line.

Remove the excess sample using a pipette or other suitable device.

A special care should be taken as viscous samples should be heated until they are reasonably fluid
before poured into the cup; however the temperature during heat must not exceed 56 C below the
anticipated flash point.

Switch on the heater and apply the heat to the sample initially by the heater as the rate of temperature
rise of the sample is 14 to 17 °C per minute.

Once the sample is melted enough as it permits to insert the thermometer, support the thermometer in
a vertical position with the bottom of the bulb approximately 3 mm from the bottom of the cup and
located at a point halfway between the center and side of the cup on the diameter perpendicular to the
line of the sweep of the test flame and on the side opposite to the test flame burner arm.

Once the sample is approximately below 56 0 C below the anticipated flash point, lit the test flame and
adjust it to a diameter of 3.8 to 5.4 mm.

Then we have to decrease the heat so that the rate of temperature rise for 28°C before the anticipated
flash point is 5 to 6°C per minute.
Pass the test flame across the center of the cup, at right angles to the diameter, which passes through
the thermometer. With a smooth, continuous motion apply the flame either in a straight line or along
the circumference of a circle having a radius of at least 150 mm. The center of the test flame must move
in a plane not more than 2.5 mm above the plane of the upper edge of the cup passing in one direction
first, then in the opposite direction the next lime. The time consumed in passing the test flame across
the cup shall be about one second (1 s.). During the last 17 °C rise in temperature prior to the flash
point, care must be taken to avoid disturbing the vapors in the test cup by careless movements or
bathing near the cup.

Record once you observed flash point, the temperature read on the thermometer when a flash appears
at any point on the surface of the material, but does not confuse the true flash with the bluish halo that
sometimes surrounds the test flame.

The fire point is obtained as 3410 C.

To determine the fire point, continue heating so that the sample temperature increases at a rate of 5 to
6 °C. Continue the application of the test flame until the oil ignites and continues to burn for at least 5
second.

We locate the fire extinguisher closer to the test area in order to use in an emergency.

Record the temperature at the point as the fire point of the oil. The fire point was obtained as 3500C

There is a set of precautions we have to follow while conducting the test.

1. Never breathe close to the apparatus as the fumes are injurious to health.

2. Turn the fans off so that the fumes can be accumulated over the cup.

3. Tip of the thermometer should not touch the bottom or sides of the cup.

4. The operator must exercise and take appropriate safety precautions during the initial
application of the test flame, since samples containing low flash material may give an
abnormally strong flash when the test flame is first applied.