How to test the flammability of toys?

Safety is always one of the most important considerations in the production and sale of children's toys. Flame retardancy is a crucial indicator for assessing toy safety. Flame retardancy testing aims to ensure that toys do not ignite rapidly when exposed to a fire source, thereby reducing fire risks and harm to children.

The material flame retardancy tester consists of a testing section and a control section, featuring an integrated design for easy on-site installation and debugging. The instrument casing and key components undergo special treatment to resist smoke and gas corrosion. The control system is highly automated, featuring automatic ignition, automatic flame following of the test sample at 90 degrees vertically and 45 degrees horizontally during the test, and other functions. Temperature and time are digitally displayed for convenient observation and recording, and the system is stable and reliable in use.

Testing Principle

The testing principle of a toy flammability tester is typically based on certain standards and test methods, such as GB6675. EN71. or ISO6941. During the test, the instrument ignites the flame by connecting the combustion gas and power supply, and adjusts it to the specified height. Then, the toy material or component to be tested is placed under a flame, and its combustion is observed and recorded, including the burning rate, burning time, and whether molten drips are produced. These parameters help to assess the flammability and potential safety risks of toys under specific conditions.

Full Testing Process

Preparation Before Testing

Before conducting the flame retardancy test, the following preparations are necessary:

1. Selecting the Appropriate Testing Standard: Different countries and regions have different toy safety standards, such as ASTM F963 in the United States, EN71-2 in the European Union, and GB 6675. Selecting the correct standard is a prerequisite for ensuring the validity of the test results.

2. Sample Preparation: Prepare a certain number of samples according to the requirements of the testing standard. The samples should represent mass-produced toys to ensure the representativeness of the test results.

3. Testing Equipment Preparation: Ensure that all testing equipment is calibrated and in good working order, including flamethrowers, timers, measuring tools, etc.

Testing Methods

Toy flame retardancy testing typically includes the following methods:

1. Vertical Burning Test: Suspend the toy sample vertically and ignite it at the bottom using a flamethrower, observing the burning process.

2. Horizontal Burning Test: Place the toy sample horizontally and ignite it on one side using a flamethrower, observing the burning process.

3. 45-degree angle burning test: Place the toy sample at a 45-degree angle, ignite it at the bottom using a flamethrower, and observe the burning process.

4. Small flame test: Ignite the toy sample with a small flame to test its resistance to small flames.

Testing Procedure

The following steps must be followed during the testing process:

1. Ignite the sample: Ignite the sample using a flamethrower according to the testing method requirements.

2. Observe the combustion: Record the burning time, flame propagation speed, and post-burn state of the sample.

3. Extinguish the flame: Once the flame on the sample is extinguished, immediately record the time and check the degree of combustion.

4. Repeat the test: To ensure the accuracy of the test results, multiple samples need to be tested repeatedly.

Evaluation of Test Results

After the test, the results need to be evaluated to determine whether the flame retardant performance of the toy meets safety standards:

1. Burning time: Evaluate the time the sample burns under the flame; the shorter the time, the better the flame retardant performance.

2. Flame propagation speed: Evaluate the speed at which the flame propagates on the sample; the slower the speed, the better the flame retardant performance.

3. Post-burn state: Check the state of the sample after combustion, such as whether there is melting, dripping, or other phenomena that may cause harm to children.

4. Comparison with Standards: Compare the test results with relevant safety standards to determine whether the toy meets flame-retardant requirements.

Precautions

When conducting flame-retardant testing on toys, the following points should also be noted:

1. Safety Protection: Appropriate safety protection measures should be taken during the testing process, such as wearing protective clothing and using fireproof screens.

2. Environmental Control: Ensure the testing environment meets standard requirements, such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation.

3. Data Recording: Accurately record all data during the testing process for subsequent analysis and evaluation.

4. Sample Handling: After the test, the test samples should be properly disposed of to avoid environmental pollution.

Through the above steps, a comprehensive test and evaluation of the flame-retardant performance of toys can be conducted, ensuring toy safety and protecting children from fire injuries.

Routine Maintenance Methods:

1. In addition to cleaning and drying the oxygen bomb after each test, the following points should also be noted and checked:

(1) The oxygen bomb can only be turned by hand. Stop when you feel resistance; never use tools to force it. Clean it once after each day's test.

(2) Rinse and dry the bomb cap and valve seat after use.

(3) Rinse the bomb cup clean, wipe the threads, and check for mechanical damage. Do not invert the bomb cup.

(4) Check the sealing ring for wear and damage from combustion. Replace it if there is leakage.

(5) Check the insulating gasket and insulating sleeve for damage. Insulation performance can be checked periodically.

(6) Perform a 20.0 MPa hydrostatic test on the oxygen bomb periodically. After each hydrostatic test, the oxygen bomb should not be used for more than one year. 2. Measuring Cylinder: After the test, drain the water from the measuring cylinder into the outer cylinder, wipe it dry, and keep it clean.

3. Test Water: Use purified water and change it regularly to ensure the reliability and success rate of the test.

Application Areas

Toy flammability testers are widely used in toy manufacturing, quality inspection, and certification bodies. They help manufacturers ensure that toy products meet relevant safety standards and regulations, reducing safety risks caused by toy flammability. Simultaneously, they provide quality inspection and certification bodies with a reliable and accurate testing method to ensure that toys sold on the market have sufficient safety.

Studies on the combustion characteristics of new toy materials in a comprehensive toy flammability tester show that different types of new materials exhibit significant differences in combustion performance. High-performance plastics and nanocomposite materials have excellent flame-retardant properties, while bio-based materials require modification or additives to improve their safety. In the future, with the continuous development of materials science and technology, the research and application of new toy materials will become more widespread. At the same time, the technology of comprehensive toy flammability testers will continue to be upgraded, providing more accurate and reliable means for the safety assessment of toy products.

In conclusion, flame retardancy testing of toys is of great significance in ensuring children's safety. From rigorous test preparation, diverse testing methods, and meticulous testing procedures to scientific evaluation and precautions, every step is indispensable. Routine maintenance ensures the stable operation of testing equipment, highlighting its important value across a wide range of applications. With the continuous emergence of new toy materials, related testing research and technological upgrades will continue to advance, building a more solid defense for children's toy safety and allowing children to fully enjoy the joy of toys in a safe and worry-free environment.