NF X 70-100
The NF X 70-100 toxicity test assesses corrosive or toxic products during combustion or decomposition. The test measures the concentration of fumes a material produces during this process and uses calculations to determine a material's potential threat in different scenarios. A tubal furnace — known as a toxicity apparatus — heats certain materials and measures the toxic fumes emitted during the process under realistic conditions.
Testing materials with the NF X 70-100 method helps companies and organizations comply with regulations and ensure safety while preventing them from releasing dangerous fumes into the environment.
What Is the NF X 70-100-1/2 Toxicity Test?
The NF X 70-100 is a type of fire and flammability testing that determines the safety of materials regarding their fire reaction, gas emission toxicity and smoke opacity. It analyzes a material's toxic gas and smoke emissions when the material is burned.
As a mass-based test method, the NF X 70-100 analyzes toxic gas. This toxic gas analysis test measures several different toxic gases such as the following:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Hydrogen chloride (HCI)
- Hydrogen bromide (HBr)
- Hydrogen fluoride (HF)
- Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
- Nitrous oxide (NOx)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
How Is the NF X 70-100-1/2 Test Performed?
During an NF X 70-100 test, a small-scale static tube furnace set to approximately 600 degrees Celsius collects toxic fumes and measures fume emissions in milligrams. This toxicity apparatus measures how many milligrams of toxic fume emissions are present for each gram of material, assuming that the test piece's mass is 1 gram. The test lasts 20 minutes, and in some instances, the temperature can vary between 400 and 800 degrees Celsius.
The tube furnace thermally decomposes the test specimen in a crucible. The material then moves through gas bags and gas detection bubblers for further analysis. The toxicity apparatus measures emissions under realistic temperature conditions to ensure the tested materials are safe to use.
What Are the Specifications and Features for This Test?
The testing instrument for the NF X 70-100 test method includes the following features:
- A horizontal tube furnace
- Porcelain combustion boats and a loading tool
- Quartz work tube with end collars
- Borosilicate glass wash bottles
- Suction pump
- Magnetic stirrer
- Calibrated flow meter
The NF X 70-100 test uses different temperatures to test the following conditions:
- Oxidative pyrolysis: Most materials will not ignite at 400 degrees Celsius, which is an oxidative pyrolysis condition.
- Well-ventilated: Six hundred degrees Celsius mimics a well-ventilated condition where the pyrolysis rate will typically occur slowly.
- Under-ventilated: Eight hundred degrees Celsius tests materials in an under-ventilated condition where the pyrolisis rate typically exceeds the air supply rate.
Most materials are commonly tested in the well-ventilated condition of 600 degrees Celsius, but other materials such as electrical products are tested in the under-ventilated condition of 800 degrees Celsius.
Importance of NF X 70-100 Testing
NF X 70-100 testing is important because it ensures product materials are safe in all circumstances. It helps companies and organizations identify and avoid highly toxic materials that can emit gases causing health risks, such as the following:
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Cancer
- Skin rashes
- Coughing
- Asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- Throat irritation
- Damage to the nervous system
- Miscarriages
- Birth defects
- Developmental complications or delays
Toxic air inhalation can cause mild, immediate effects such as watery eyes and coughing. However, it can also cause long-term effects such as lung damage or cancer that develops months or years following exposure.
Which Industries Require Fire and Flammability Testing?
Fire and flammability testing services are important for various industries. This type of testing helps companies and organizations meet compliance and ensure their products are made with safe materials. Fire and flammability testing services benefit the following industries:
- Automotive and railway: Automotive and railway industries require fire and flammability testing to protect passengers from internal controlled combustion processes and high temperatures.
- Aerospace: The aerospace industry requires fire and flammability testing to protect passengers in extreme conditions.
- Government and military: Government and military industries require fire and flammability testing for their equipment, buildings and materials.
- Marine: Marine industries require fire and flammability testing to test surface flammability and measure how much toxic byproduct they emit during combustion processes.
- Chemical: Any industry that uses chemicals in its processes requires fire and flammability testing.
- Engineering and construction: Engineering and construction industries require fire and flammability testing to ensure their materials can withstand high temperatures.
Trust VTEC Laboratories With Your Fire and Flammability Testing
Fire and flammability testing are important. The NF X 70-100 test ensures your materials comply with regulations and emit a safe level of fumes. This test method protects your company and the public from large amounts of toxic fumes by applying realistic temperature and combustion conditions to collect accurate measurements.
VTEC Laboratories performs quality fire and flammability testing. We will help your company or organization meet safety regulations and comply with fire and safety codes. With VTEC Laboratories, you can trust that your products, equipment, materials and buildings will be tested with excellent testing methods.
We have over three decades of experience, and our team members are fire and flammability testing experts. Contact us to learn more about how we can meet your testing needs or request a quote.
Learn More About VTEC Services
At VTEC Laboratories, our role as a multi-functional company stems from our more than three decades of experience. Due to our extensive expertise in multiple industries, we provide comprehensive services that meet each field’s unique standards, needs and objectives.
Learn more about our services by contacting us online or calling us at (718) 542-8248.