Phoenix PX01005 Critical Oxygen Index (LOI) Tester

Overview

The Phoenix PX01005 Critical Oxygen Index (LOI) Tester is a precision benchtop instrument engineered for the quantitative determination of the minimum oxygen concentration—expressed as volume percent—in an oxygen–nitrogen mixture required to support candle-like combustion of a vertically oriented solid material under specified test conditions. Based on the fundamental principle of limiting oxygen index measurement per ASTM D2863 and ISO 4589-2, the PX01005 employs paramagnetic oxygen sensing and closed-loop gas mixing to deliver high reproducibility in flammability classification across polymers, textiles, composites, rubbers, and fiber-reinforced plastics. Its design adheres strictly to standardized test geometry, specimen orientation, ignition methodology, and flame propagation observation protocols defined in ISO 4589-1, GB/T 2406.1–2008, GB/T 2406.2–2009, GB/T 5454–1997, GB/T 8924–2005, and GB/T 10707–2008—making it suitable for routine QC testing, regulatory compliance verification, and R&D flame-retardant formulation development.

Key Features

• Integrated paramagnetic oxygen sensor with ±0.1% vol accuracy and sub-second response time—eliminating drift, calibration drift, and consumable replacement associated with electrochemical cells
• Dual high-stability mass flow controllers (MFCs) for independent, real-time regulation of O₂ and N₂ mass flow rates, enabling precise gas blending from 10.0% to 60.0% O₂
• Patented gas mixing chamber with diffusion ring and glass bead packing—ensuring homogeneous gas distribution and minimizing axial concentration gradients within the combustion column
• Quartz glass combustion tube (high-temp resistant up to 1000°C), removable via quick-release end cap for rapid cleaning and contamination-free operation
• Modular sample holder system: interchangeable stainless-steel fixtures for both supported (e.g., rigid plastics) and unsupported (e.g., foams, fabrics) specimens per ISO 4589-2 Annex A and B
• PLC-driven control architecture with intuitive 7-inch resistive touchscreen HMI—allowing digital input of target O₂ concentration, automatic stepwise titration, and real-time display of actual O₂ %, flow rates, and burn time
• Calibrated micro-flame igniter with precision needle valve—delivering consistent 10–20 mm flame height for repeatable ignition per ASTM D2863 Section 7.3

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PX01005 accommodates standard test specimens conforming to ISO 4589-2 (80–150 mm length × 6.5 ± 0.5 mm width × thickness ≤ 10.5 mm), including thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, woven/nonwoven textiles, laminates, and cellular materials. It supports both horizontal and vertical mounting configurations via its dual-purpose clamping mechanism. All operational parameters—including gas flow velocity (40 ± 10 mm/s), specimen conditioning (23 ± 2°C, 50 ± 5% RH per ISO 291), and observation window specifications—meet mandatory requirements of ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories. The system is fully traceable to NIST-traceable gas standards and complies with GLP documentation practices when paired with optional PC software featuring audit trail, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data archiving.

Software & Data Management

An optional Windows-based LOI Control Suite provides full test orchestration: automated method loading, live sensor trending, dynamic O₂ ramping profiles, pass/fail logic per user-defined criteria, and export-ready reports in PDF, CSV, and XML formats. Data fields include specimen ID, batch number, ambient T/RH, initial/final O₂ %, burn duration, afterglow time, and visual flame behavior annotations. All raw sensor logs are timestamped and stored locally with SHA-256 hash integrity verification. The software supports IQ/OQ documentation packages and integrates with LIMS via OPC UA or REST API for enterprise-level QA/QC workflows.

Applications

• Flame retardancy screening of engineering plastics (e.g., PC, PA66, PBT) prior to UL94 qualification
• Regulatory compliance testing for construction materials under EN 13501-1 and GB 8624
• Quality control of flame-retardant textiles in automotive interiors and public transport seating
• Formulation optimization of halogen-free FR additives in polyolefins and epoxy composites
• Comparative LOI analysis of recycled polymer blends to assess thermal stability degradation
• Research-grade flammability mapping for novel biopolymers and nanocomposites

FAQ

What standards does the PX01005 fully support out-of-the-box?

ASTM D2863-13, ISO 4589-1:2017, ISO 4589-2:2017, GB/T 2406.1–2008, GB/T 2406.2–2009, GB/T 5454–1997, GB/T 8924–2005, and GB/T 10707–2008.
Is the paramagnetic oxygen sensor field-calibratable?

Yes—zero calibration using certified nitrogen (≥99.99%) and span calibration using certified 20.9% O₂/N₂ mixture are supported via HMI menu; no external tools required.
Can the system be integrated into an existing lab network?

With the optional PC software, Ethernet connectivity enables remote monitoring, centralized data backup, and LIMS synchronization via secure TCP/IP protocols.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?

Quarterly verification of MFC linearity (using certified gas standards), semiannual quartz tube inspection, and annual paramagnetic sensor diagnostic—documented in the included Maintenance Logbook.
Does the PX01005 meet CE or UKCA marking requirements?

As a laboratory instrument intended for professional use under controlled environmental conditions, it conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU; CE declaration available upon request.