The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (FoC) offers UL 94 testing services that evaluate the flammability of plastic materials and components. Plastic materials are a staple of modern society, and they can be found in a wide array of products, from construction materials and consumer electronics to vehicles and machine parts. While it may be obvious that plastic materials must comply with performance standards, it is less understood that many of these plastics must also comply with specific safety standards that evaluate their flammability. Our environmental testing lab performs flammability tests in accordance with UL 94 to ensure the safety and compliance of your products.
What is UL 94?
The Underwriters Laboratory developed UL 94 as a safety standard for those determining the flammability of plastics. The widely used standard enables experts to gain critical insight into how quickly plastic materials burn, allowing manufacturers to make informed decisions about the material’s suitability for specific applications. The standard determines the plastic sample’s behavior by assessing the following:
- How it spreads or extinguishes a flame following ignition
- If it’s dripping flaming particles are a potential fire threat to nearby materials.
Technicians conduct the UL 94 procedure at both vertical and horizontal orientations. The UL 94 flammability standards rating chart consists of the following six categories:
HB (Horizontal Burn)
The burning of a 3mm thick specimen self-extinguishes before 100mm.
V-2 (Vertical Burn)
Drips of flaming particles are permitted, but the burn stops within 30 seconds of ignition.
V-1 (Vertical Burn)
Burning must stop within 30 seconds of ignition, and drips of particles are allowed if they are not inflame
V-0 (Vertical Burn)
The burning stops within 10 seconds, and dripping particles of plastic are permitted if they are not inflame.
5VB (Surface Burn)
The burning extinguishes within 60 seconds after five flame applications. No dripping, but a burn-through hole may’ve formed.
5VA (Surface Burn)
The burning ceases within 60 seconds after five flame applications. No burn through hole or dripping is permitted.
More About Our UL 94-Compliant Testing Services
Our UL 94 tests can be used to evaluate the following:
- Aerospace materials
- Automotive interiors and components, including those housed under the hood
- Electronic enclosures, components, and cables
- Medical device housing
- Telecommunications hardware
Contact Us
Call +1 (888) 287-5227 or complete a web form for more information about our UL 94 tests and additional environmental testing services.
