UL94v-0 is a fire standard set by UL – an American worldwide safety consulting and certification company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. UL94V-0 is used to determine the flammability of a specified material and the burn time associated with it.
Why we test and measure to UL94v-0?
UL94v-0 is tested and measured to allow engineers to understand the flammability characteristics of a material, in this case silicone sponge/foam.
If the material passes and is verified by UL themselves, a material can then be used in specific applications where fire safety is of a critical nature.
How UL94v-0 should be tested?
- Five specimens firstly need to be prepared measuring 13mm (W) x 125mm (L). Maximum thickness should be 13mm
- The test specimen needs to be clamped into a vertical position.
- The Bunsen burner needs to have a flame height of 20mm.
- The flame then needs to be applied to the bottom edge of the specimen, so that the top of the burner is 10mm lower than the specimen.
- The flame is then applied for 10 seconds, moving the burner to allow for any movement of the specimen ensuring the flame keeps directly underneath the material.
- After 10 seconds the flame is removed and the time is measured and recorded as to how long the specimen continues to burn for.
- When the flame goes out the burner is reapplied to the specimen for a further 10 seconds.
- Again the burner is removed after 10 seconds and time is recorded for how long the specimen continuous to burn for.
Requirements for a UL94v-0 Pass
- The specimens should not have an after flame time for more than 10 seconds after either application of the test flame.
- The total after flame time should not exceed 50 seconds for set of 5 specimens.
- The specimens should not burn with flame or glowing up to the clamp.
- The specimens should not drip flaming particles that ignite the cotton indicator.
- The specimens should not have glowing combustion that persists for more than 30 seconds after the second removal of the test flame.
Market Considerations
There are many silicone rubber materials on the market that state a UL94v-0 rating however, unless the material has been officially approved by UL themselves and is listed on their database, the material must be checked to ensure it passes before using it in application.
Silicone Engineering’s UL94v-0 silicone sponge is listed on the UL Database
Also when selecting a UL94v-0 silicone material you must also take into consideration the thickness as UL verification only approve to certain thicknesses. For example, a silicone sponge material may be UL94v-0 approved to a minimum thickness of 12.7mm so any thickness lower than this would not be approved to UL and cannot be used for this purpose.
Where do UL94v-0 products get used
Generally, UL standards are used as a safety rating in a wide range of applications, from telephone receivers and computer screens to domestic ovens and hot water boilers. Whenever people are concerned about the hazards as a result of their product burning, then UL94 is becoming the most commonly referenced standard where there is no pre-existing industry norm.
Naturally, UL approved silicone parts are used where it is important that in the event of a fire, silicone would play its part in keeping the fire at bay. Silicone is usually laminated onto or becomes a part in a “composite” and it is this composite that needs to ultimately meet the UL standard for flammability.
Applications are too many to mention suffice to say that to enter into the American market, all household and domestic products such washing machines, televisions, vacuum cleaners as well as automotive and electrical/electronic wiring and components need to comply with UL at some point.
Industries where public safety is of the highest importance such as Rail, Automotive and Aerospace, UL94v-0 is seen as an essential safety standard. In the event of a fire would help to resist the flames, in turn reducing the risk of failure.
To find out more about Silicone Engineering’s range of flame retardant sponge materials click here