There are various methods for identifying polymers. One of them is the flame test, which is the simplest method that can be used to identify polymers. The characteristics of the flame test are its speed, ease, and economy. In addition, the information obtained from this test is diverse and very practical.
Flame testing is commonly used to qualitatively identify plastics and fibers. In fact, the purpose of this test is to investigate and research the behavior and phenomena that a plastic (polymer) exhibits when placed in a flame, in a fire, and after leaving the fire.
There are various methods for identifying polymers. The flame test is one of these methods, and the ease, economy, and simplicity of this flame test in polymers have made it widely used in identifying the quality of plastics and fibers.
The study and research into the behavior of a polymer or plastic when placed in a flame or after leaving the fire is called a flame test.
Polymers are composed primarily of the elements carbon and hydrogen. This organic nature makes polymers highly flammable, causing most polymers to act as fuels when placed in the fire triangle.
Based on the behavior of a polymer in burning in a flame, the type of polymer can be identified and help in recycling the polymer. Until recently, the behavior of polymers against flame did not receive much attention, but in the last few years, the use of materials that can make polymers more resistant to ignition has received much attention, to the point that the ignition behavior of polymers has faced very strict laws and standards in many European countries.
Many polymers are only allowed to be used if they can pass flammability standards and meet desirable and defined levels of flammability safety standards.
The flame test should be performed in a well-ventilated environment with safety facilities and equipment, or outdoors and away from explosives to avoid causing damage or injury to people. The steps for performing this test are as follows:
- First, pay attention to the transparency and opacity of the plastic piece and measure its level.
- By touching the surface of the part, check for bending, scratches on the surface, etc.
- Cut a piece of it with a knife and pay attention to how smooth and serrated the cutting edge is.
- Measure the density of the plastic piece by dropping it into a container of water.
- Stick a hot needle or metal rod on the piece and check for changes in that area.
- Stick a hot needle or metal rod on the piece and check for changes in that area.
- Now, by comparing the different states of each polymer and its recorded information, the type of polymer is identified.
You can identify the type of polymer by taking its help and comparing it with the information you have recorded.
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The table below shows the results of flame tests on polymeric materials.
| Type of material | It catches fire but goes out after moving away from the flame. | It catches fire and continues to burn even after being removed from the flame. | It does not catch fire. | Description | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smell | Flame color | Drip | Smell | Flame color | Drip | Burning speed | Smell | ||
| ABS | It is sharp and sharp, burning the nose. | Yellow with blue edges | No | It is sharp and sharp, burning the nose. | Yellow with blue edges | Yes | Slow | – | Black smoke with smoke |
| Acetals | – | – | – | Formaldehyde, like the smell of pickles | Blue | Yes | Slow | – | Smoke-free |
| Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA or Acrylic) | – | – | – | Fruit | Blue with a yellow tip | Yes | Slow | – | In case of compound with rubber additive, there may be flame accompanied by eruption. Burning with spark |
| – | Injection grade only | – | |||||||
| Acetate | Vinegar | Yellow with sparks | No | Vinegar | yellow | Yes | Slow | – | – |
| Acetate Butyrate | – | – | – | Rotten butter smells like stale socks. | Blue with a yellow tip | Yes | Slow | – | There may be a flame with a spark. |
| Ethyl Cellulose | – | – | – | Burnt sugar | Yellow with blue edges | Yes | Spicy | – | – |
| Nitrate | – | – | – | Camphor | White | No | Spicy | – | – |
| Propionate | – | – | – | Burnt sugar | Blue with a yellow tip | Yes | Spicy | – | – |
| FEP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Faint smell of burnt hair | It does not catch fire, but it softens and drips due to the heat of the flame. |
| PTFE(Teflon) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Faint smell of burnt hair | When you touch it, you feel that it has an oily surface. It scratches with your fingernail. It does not catch fire or drip, but it softens due to the heat of the flame. |
| PVDF | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Acidic | It becomes soft and malleable due to heat. |
| Polyamide Type6 (PA6) | – | – | – | Burnt wool | Blue with a yellow tip | Yes | Slow | – | – |
| Polyamide Type6/6 (PA6/6) | – | – | – | Wool with burnt hair | Blue with a yellow tip | Yes | Slow | – | It is very strong and cannot be cut with a knife. |
| Phenoxies | Spicy and spicy, it burns the nose. | yellow | No (if it has non-organic additives) | Spicy and spicy, it burns the nose. | yellow | (If it has mineral additives) Yes | Slow | – | Black smoke with soot |
| Polycarbonates (PC) | Sweet and pleasant, aromatic ester smell | Orange | Yes | Spicy and spicy, it burns the nose. | – | – | – | – | Black smoke with soot |
| Polyethylenes (PE) | – | – | – | Paraffin, similar to the smell of a candle | Blue with a yellow tip | Yes | Slow | – | It floats on water. It is scratched with a fingernail. |
| Polypropylenes (PP) | Spicy and gassy (if it has flame retardant additives) | Yellow (if it has flame retardant additives) | No (if it has a flame retardant additive.) | Sweet, similar to the smell of used motor oil or truck smoke | Blue with a yellow tip | Yes | Slow | – | It floats on water. It is scratched with a fingernail. When bent with the hand, it turns white at the bend. |
| Polystyrenes (PS) | – | – | – | Coal gas or the smell of marigolds | yellow | Yes | Spicy | – | Thick black smoke with soot |
| Polyurethanes (PU) | – | – | – | Pungent and acrid, burns the nose, like the smell of apples. | yellow | No | Slow | – | Light black smoke |
| Polyvinylchloride (PVC Hard) | Hydrochloric acid | Greenish yellow | – | – | – | – | – | – | The flame goes out on its own, melts, and turns into charcoal. |
| Polyvinylchloride (PVC Soft) | Hydrochloric acid | Greenish yellow | No | – | – | – | – | – | It melts and forms charcoal, a white smoke with a pungent odor. |
| ABS/Polycarbonate | – | – | – | Indescribable | Yellow with blue edges | No | – | – | Black soot with soot |
| ABS/PVC | Spicy and spicy, it burns the nose. | Yellow with blue edges | No | – | – | – | – | – | Black soot with soot |
| PVC/Acrylic | Fruit | Blue with a yellow tip | No | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Diallyl Phthalates | – | – | – | Phenolic | yellow | No | Slow | – | Black smoke cracks due to the heat of the flame. |
| Diallyl Phthalates | – | – | – | Spicy and spicy, it burns the nose. | yellow | No | Slow | – | Black smoke with soot |
| Epoxies | – | – | – | Phenol, sweet tar-like odor | – | No | Slow | – | Black smoke with soot |
| Melamines | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Formaldehyde and fish | – |
| Polyesters | Hydrochloric acid (if it has a flame retardant additive) | Yellow (if it contains flame retardant additives) | No | Indescribable | Yellow with blue edges | No | Slow | – | It cracks and breaks due to the flame. |