ASTM D56-00 - 10.8.2000
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flash point, by tag manual and automated closed testers, of liquids with a viscosity below 5.5 mm2/s (cSt) at 40oC (104oF), or below 9.5 mm2/s (cSt) at 25oC (77oF), and a flash point below 93oC (200oF).

1.1.1 For the closed-cup flash point of liquids with the following properties: a viscosity of 5.5 mm2/s (cSt) or more at 40oC (104oF); a viscosity of 9.5 mm2/s (cSt) or more at 25oC (77oF); a flash point of 93oC (200oF) or higher; a tendency to form a surface film under test conditions; or containing suspended solids, Test Method D93 can be used.

1.1.2 For cut-back asphalts refer to Test Methods D1310 and D3143.

Note 1--The U.S. Department of Transportation (RSTA) and U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) have established that liquids with a flash point under 37.8oC (100oF) are flammable as determined by this test method for those liquids that have a viscosity less than 5.5 mm2/s (cSt) at 40oC (104oF) or 9.5 mm2/s (cSt) or less at 25oC (77oF), or do not contain suspended solids or do not have a tendency to form a surface film while under test. Other flash point classifications have been established by these departments for liquids using this test method.

1.2 This test method can be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and cannot be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test method can be used as elements of fire risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.

1.3 Related Standards are Test Methods D93, D1310, D3828, D3278, and D3941.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see 8.2 and 8.3 and refer to Material Safety Data Sheets.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D3278-21

Standard Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus

D3828-16a(2021)

Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Cup Tester (Includes all amendments and changes 7/26/2021).

D3941-20

Standard Test Method for Flash Point by the Equilibrium Method With a Closed-Cup Apparatus

D4057-22

Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D6299-26a

Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance (Includes all amendments and changes 8/4/2026).

D93-26

Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester

D1310-14(2021)

Standard Test Method for Flash Point and Fire Point of Liquids by Tag Open-Cup Apparatus

D3143-08

Standard Test Method for Flash Point of Cutback Asphalt with Tag Open-Cup Apparatus

E502-21a

Standard Test Method for Selection and Use of ASTM Standards for the Determination of Flash Point of Chemicals by Closed Cup Methods (Includes all amendments and changes 7/14/2021).

Method1101,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b

Method4291,

Federal Test Method Standard No. 141A

D6300-26

Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants

Guide34

Reference materialsGeneral and statistical principles for certification

E1-14(2025)

Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers