Material Composition Testing Related to Measurement Instrument Enclosure Design and Safety
Source abstract
Abstract
The polymeric insulating materials widely used in measuring instrument enclosures must meet specific flammability requirements. In this study, we systematically assessed the impact of minor compositional changes, such as pigments and fillers, on horizontal burning (HB) classification according to the EN 60695-11-10 standard. We tested 64 polymer combinations at thicknesses of 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm, classifying samples into HB, HB40 or HB75 categories. The results demonstrated that additives significantly influenced the HB classifications more than thickness. Specifically, we classified 31 samples as HB, 16 as HB40, 15 as HB75, while two were unclassifiable. Several material groups consistently achieved specific HB classifications regardless of minor additive variations. These findings offer manufacturers clear guidance for selecting polymer-additive systems, facilitating informed decisions and enabling a streamlined “worst-case” testing strategy. Ultimately, this approach enhances manufacturers’ ability to efficiently achieve product safety compliance, reducing certification costs without compromising safety.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Thermal and Kinetic Analysis · Polymer Nanocomposites and Properties · Flame retardant materials and properties
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Funding
Slovenian Research Agency · Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Metrology Institute of Republic Slovenia
References (15)
Show source-provided references
1. (2025, May 05). European Parliament and Council Directive 2004/22/EC on Measuring Instruments (MID). Available online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32004L0022.
2. (2025, May 05). Conformity Assessment of Products for Consumers: Electrical Products, Products Intended for Children, Textile and Apparel, and General Consumer Safety Comparative Study, Klaus Ziegler, Yao Xiaojing Robert Huigen. Available online: https://expertdirectory.s-ge.com/data/files/Comparative%20Study%20on%20CA%20for%20Consumer%20Products%20v2.1%20Final%20Draft.pdf#:~:text=%E2%80%A2%20Constitute%20no%20unreasonable%20threat,by%20the%20applicable%20legislation%2C%20unless.
3. PEEK polymer flammability and the inadequacy of the UL-94 classification10.1002/fam.1100 ↗
4. (2013). Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-10: Test Flames—50 W Horizontal and Vertical Flame Test Methods (Standard No. IEC 60695-11-10:2013). Available online: https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/2938.
5. (2011). Fire Hazard Testing—Part 11-4: Test Flames—1 kW Nominal Premixed Flame—Apparatus, Confirmatory Test Arrangement and Guidance (Standard No. IEC 60695-11-4:2011).
6. Simionescu, T.M., Minea, A.A., and Reis, P.N.B.D. (2019). Fire Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Enhanced with Organic Montmorillonite and Exolit Fire Retardant. Appl. Sci., 9.10.3390/app9245433 ↗
7. Wang, F., Shi, W., Mai, Y., and Liao, B. (2019). Effect of Thermal Conductive Fillers on the Flame Retardancy, Thermal Conductivity, and Thermal Behavior of Flame-Retardant and Thermal Conductive Polyamide 6. Materials, 12.10.3390/ma12244114 ↗
8. The Effect of Pigments on the Flammability Characteristics of a Rubber Compound Based on Methylvinylsiloxane Rubber
9. Effect of Inorganic Fillers on the Flammability Behavior of Polypropylene Composites10.1177/0892705707073181 ↗
10. Mitrenga, P., Vandlíčková, M., and Konárik, M. (2025). Experimental Investigation of Fire—Technical Characteristics of Selected Flame Retardants for the Protection of Wooden Structures. Coatings, 15.10.3390/coatings15020193 ↗
11. Eizaguirre-Iribar, A., Olano-Azkune, X., Renaux, T., Huet, V., and Izabel, D. (2025). Fire Safety of Steel Envelope Systems with Bio-Based Insulation: Evaluation of Smoldering Phenomenon. Fire, 8.10.3390/fire8040131 ↗
12. Maake, T., Asante, J.K.O., Mhike, W., and Mwakikunga, B. (2025). Fire-Retardant Wood Polymer Composite to Be Used as Building Material Focusing on Informal and Formal Dwellings. Fire, 8.10.3390/fire8020081 ↗
13. Bode, F., Simion, A., Anghel, I., Sandu, M., and Banyai, D. (2023). Enhancing Fire Safety: Real-Scale Experimental Analysis of Fire Dynamics and Façade Performance. Fire, 6.10.3390/fire6120451 ↗
14. Zeng, C., Wang, Z., Chen, J., and Wang, D. (2022). Fire Resistance of an Assembled Integrated Enclosure Panel System. Buildings, 12.10.3390/buildings12101582 ↗
15. Czel, G., Sycheva, A., and Janovszky, D. (2023). Effect of different fillers on thermal conductivity, tribological properties of Polyamide 6. Sci. Rep., 13.10.1038/s41598-023-27740-y ↗