The appropriate method for your sample is usually cited in a product specification or regulation. If a number of methods are specified then the choice will be influenced by other factors such as sample size requirements, speed of testing or precision.
Setaflash Small Scale
ASTM D1655; ASTM D3278; ASTM D3828; ASTM D7236; ASTM D8174; ASTM E502; CLP Regulations; DEF STAN 91-91; EPA 1020 A & B; IP 523; IP 524; IP 534; IP 602; ISO 3679; ISO 3680; ISO 9038; UN Class 3 Non-Viscous Flammable LiquidsThese methods cover products across the range of -30 to 300 °C using a small scale closed cup tester.
The procedures may be used to determine whether a product will or will not flash at a specified temperature (flash/no flash method A), or the flash point of a sample (method B). When used in conjunction with an electronic thermal flash detector, these methods are also suitable for flash point tests on biodiesel such as FAME.
Small scale testers are also used for shipping and safety regulations such as CLP to define flammable and combustible materials and classify them.
Tag
ASTM D56; ASTM D3934; ASTM D3941; ASTM E502; IP 491; IP 492; ISO 1516; ISO 1523These test methods cover 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 40 °C, or below 9.5 mm2/s (cSt) at 25 °C, and a flash point below 93 °C.
Cleveland
ASTM D92; AASHTO T48
These test methods describe the determination of the flash point and fire point of petroleum products by a manual Cleveland open cup apparatus or an automated Cleveland open cup apparatus. It is applicable to all petroleum products with flash points above 79 °C and below 400 °C except fuel oils.
Pensky-Martens Closed Cup (PMCC)
ASTM D93; IP 34; ISO 2719These test methods cover the determination of the flash point of petroleum products in the temperature range from 40 to 360 °C by a manual or automated PMCC apparatus. They are also used to determine the flash point of biodiesel in the temperature range of 60 to 190 °C by automated PMCC apparatus.
Abel
IP 170; IP 491; IP 492; ISO 5123; ISO 1376These test methods describe the determination of the closed cup flash point of combustible liquids having flash points of between -30 and 70 °C, inclusive. However, the precision given for this method is only valid for flash points in the range -5 and 66.5 °C.