SDL Atlas M233G 45° Fabric Combustibility Tester
| Brand | SDL Atlas |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | M233G |
| Price Range | USD 14,000 – 28,000 |
| Application Field | Textiles & Home Furnishings |
| Test Angle | 45° |
| Flame Exposure Duration Options | 1 s, 5 s, 20 s |
| Timing Resolution | 0.1 s |
| Construction | Stainless Steel Chamber with Tempered Glass Viewing Window |
| Optional Accessory | Nylon Brush Kit |
Overview
The SDL Atlas M233G 45° Fabric Combustibility Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed to evaluate the surface flammability behavior of textile materials under standardized inclined exposure conditions. It operates in accordance with internationally recognized test methods—including ASTM D1230 (Standard Test Method for Flammability of Apparel Textiles), ISO 14116 (Protective clothing — Index of flame spread and related properties), and GB/T 14644–2014 (Chinese national standard for flammability of textiles)—where specimens are mounted at a fixed 45° angle relative to the horizontal plane and subjected to a controlled open-flame impingement. The system quantifies critical fire performance parameters such as afterflame time, afterglow time, char length, and whether ignition propagates beyond designated boundaries. Its robust stainless steel combustion chamber—fitted with a heat-resistant tempered glass observation window—ensures operator safety while enabling real-time visual monitoring without compromising thermal integrity or gas containment.
Key Features
- Fixed 45° specimen holder with precise angular calibration traceable to NIST-traceable metrology standards.
- Programmable flame exposure durations: user-selectable 1 s, 5 s, or 20 s ignition cycles, each initiated via pneumatic solenoid valve for consistent Bunsen burner flame positioning and repeatability.
- High-resolution digital timer with 0.1-second resolution, automatically triggered at first visible ignition and logging both afterflame and afterglow durations independently.
- Integrated flame height adjustment mechanism compliant with ASTM D1230 requirements (16 mm ± 1 mm vertical blue flame).
- Stainless steel test chamber (interior dimensions: 305 × 305 × 356 mm) engineered for corrosion resistance, thermal stability, and minimal draft interference during testing.
- Optional nylon brush accessory available for standardized surface preparation per ASTM D1230 pre-test conditioning protocols.
- Front-access door with magnetic safety interlock prevents operation when open; conforms to IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The M233G accommodates flat, flexible textile specimens measuring 150 mm × 50 mm, including woven, knitted, nonwoven, laminated, and coated fabrics used in apparel, upholstery, drapery, bedding, and automotive interiors. Specimen clamping fixtures ensure uniform tension and edge alignment across repeated trials. All operational parameters—including flame geometry, exposure timing, ambient temperature (23 ± 2°C), and relative humidity (50 ± 5% RH)—are maintained within tolerances specified by ASTM, ISO, and GB standards. The instrument supports GLP-compliant documentation workflows through optional CSV export functionality and timestamped event logging. It is routinely validated using reference materials such as calibrated cotton poplin and flame-retardant polyester controls to verify measurement consistency across laboratories.
Software & Data Management
While the M233G operates as a standalone hardware platform with embedded microcontroller-based logic, it integrates seamlessly into laboratory quality management systems via RS-232 serial output (optional USB-to-serial adapter). Test records—including start time, flame duration, afterflame time, afterglow time, char length, pass/fail status, and operator ID—are stored locally with automatic date/time stamping. For facilities requiring FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, third-party LIMS-compatible data acquisition modules can be deployed to enforce electronic signature, audit trail, and role-based access control. Raw data exports support traceability for internal audits and regulatory submissions aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.
Applications
- Flammability screening of children’s sleepwear and adult apparel fabrics per CPSC 16 CFR Part 1610 and ASTM D1230.
- Quality assurance testing for flame-resistant (FR) treated home textiles—including curtains, carpets, and mattress covers—prior to commercial release.
- R&D validation of new flame retardant chemistries applied to natural and synthetic fibers.
- Comparative analysis of fabric architecture effects (e.g., pile height, weave density, coating thickness) on flame propagation kinetics.
- Supporting technical documentation for OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class II/III certification and EU REACH Annex XVII compliance reports.
FAQ
What standards does the M233G comply with?
ASTM D1230, ISO 14116, GB/T 14644–2014, and CPSC 16 CFR Part 1610.
Is the flame source adjustable for different fuel gases?
Yes—the Bunsen burner is compatible with propane or natural gas; flow rate and pressure are regulated via integrated needle valves calibrated to deliver a stable 16 mm blue flame.
Can test results be exported to Excel or LIMS?
Yes—via RS-232 interface with ASCII-formatted output; custom parsing scripts or middleware solutions enable direct ingestion into enterprise data systems.
Does the unit include calibration verification tools?
A certified reference fabric set and flame height gauge are available as optional accessories for routine performance verification.
What maintenance is required for long-term accuracy?
Quarterly inspection of burner orifice cleanliness, annual verification of timer accuracy against traceable stopwatch standards, and biannual replacement of O-rings in gas delivery lines.
