North Guang Precision CZF-5 Horizontal & Vertical Plastic Combustion Tester
| Brand | North Guang Precision Instrument |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | CZF-5 |
| Price | USD 1,700 (FOB Beijing) |
| Burner Tip ID | 9.5 mm ± 0.3 mm |
| Burner Length | 100 mm ± 10 mm |
| Flame Angle Adjustment | 0–45° (manual, calibrated scale) |
| Ignition Support | Medical-grade cotton pad |
| Fuel Gas | 98% methane (calibrated), or natural gas (37 MJ/m³ ± 1 MJ/m³), or propane |
| Flame Temperature Ramp | 100°C ± 5°C to 700°C ± 3°C in 44 s ± 2.0 s or 54 s ± 2.0 s (verified with thermal calibration kit) |
| Calibration Kit Options | φ5.5 mm Cu slug (1.76 ± 0.01 g) or φ9 mm Cu slug (10.00 ± 0.05 g), imported controller |
| Thermocouple | K-type, insulated, high-temp armored, Ø0.5 mm |
| Timing Range | 1.0 s – 999.9 s (digital presettable) |
| Repetition Cycles | 1 – 9999 (digital presettable) |
| Chamber Volume | 0.75 m³ (optional: 0.5 m³ or 1.0 m³) |
| External Dimensions | 1330 mm (W) × 730 mm (D) × 1500 mm (H) |
| Enclosure Material | Powder-coated steel plate |
| Exhaust Port | Ø100 mm |
| Power Supply | AC 220 V, 50 Hz, 5 A |
Overview
The North Guang Precision CZF-5 Horizontal & Vertical Plastic Combustion Tester is a laboratory-scale benchtop instrument engineered for standardized flammability assessment of polymeric and non-metallic materials under controlled flame exposure. It implements the core principles of calorimetric ignition response and flame propagation kinetics, operating in strict accordance with internationally recognized test methodologies—including UL 94 (2022 edition), IEC 60695-11-4:2011, ASTM D635, ASTM D5048, and GB/T 2408–2008. The system delivers reproducible flame application via a precision-adjustable Bunsen burner assembly, enabling both horizontal (HB-class) and vertical (V-0/V-1/V-2 class) combustion evaluations. Its design emphasizes thermal stability, geometric repeatability, and operator safety—featuring an interlocked chamber, auto-retracting burner actuation, and integrated flame-out detection. The apparatus does not measure heat release rate (HRR) or smoke density; rather, it quantifies critical behavioral endpoints: afterflame time (tf), afterglow time (tg), burn distance (L), and ignitability threshold under defined radiant flux and gas composition conditions.
Key Features
- Motor-driven sample holder positioning for precise horizontal (45° ± 2° tilt) and vertical (0°) alignment—ensuring consistent specimen geometry per UL 94 Clause 8.2 and IEC 60695-11-4 Annex A.
- Digital microprocessor control panel with real-time timing display, pre-settable flame duration (1.0–999.9 s), and programmable cycle count (1–9999), supporting GLP-compliant test sequencing.
- Integrated automatic ignition module eliminating manual spark initiation—reducing operator variability and enhancing test-to-test repeatability.
- Calibration-ready architecture: compatible with NIST-traceable copper slug thermal verification kits (φ5.5 mm / 1.76 g or φ9 mm / 10.00 g) and K-type armored thermocouples (Ø0.5 mm) for periodic flame temperature profile validation per IEC 60695-11-4 Clause 7.3.
- 0.75 m³ fire-rated test chamber constructed from powder-coated structural steel, equipped with Ø100 mm exhaust ducting and forced-air ventilation interface for fume extraction compliance with local lab safety codes.
- Self-contained timing logic: automatic start/stop triggers synchronized to burner actuation, flame detection, and specimen response—eliminating manual stopwatch dependency.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The CZF-5 accommodates rigid and semi-rigid plastic specimens measuring 125 mm × 13 mm × thickness (typically 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm, or 6.0 mm), as specified in UL 94 Section 5.1 and IEC 60695-11-4 Clause 6.2. Specimen conditioning follows ISO 291 (23°C ± 2°C, 50% RH ± 5%, ≥48 h). The system supports all three UL 94 horizontal classifications (HB, HB40, HB75) and vertical classifications (V-0, V-1, V-2), with pass/fail determination based on cumulative afterflame time, burn length, and cotton indicator ignition per Clause 9.1–9.3. Data outputs satisfy audit requirements under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated electronic record-keeping software (e.g., LabArchives or Benchling). All mechanical and thermal calibrations are traceable to national metrology institutes via optional calibration certificates (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited providers available upon request).
Software & Data Management
While the base CZF-5 operates via embedded digital controls without proprietary PC software, its timing and event logs (flame-on timestamp, flame-off timestamp, tf, tg, L, pass/fail status) are exportable via RS-232 or USB-C interface to CSV-compatible laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Optional firmware upgrade enables audit trail logging compliant with 21 CFR Part 11: user authentication, electronic signatures, immutable timestamps, and change history for all parameter modifications. Raw timing data retains millisecond resolution for statistical process control (SPC) analysis—supporting Cp/Cpk calculations across production lot qualification per ISO 9001:2015 Clause 8.5.2.
Applications
This instrument serves quality control laboratories in polymer compounding, automotive interior component manufacturing, consumer electronics housing validation, and wire & cable insulation certification. Typical use cases include: comparative screening of halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) formulations; qualification of recycled PET/PP blends for UL 94 V-2 compliance; root-cause analysis of afterglow anomalies in PBT-based connectors; and regulatory submission testing for CE marking (EN 60695-11-10) and RoHS-compliant material declarations. It is routinely deployed in third-party testing facilities accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for UL 94 certification support.
FAQ
Does the CZF-5 meet UL 94 5VA/5VB classification requirements?
No. The CZF-5 implements only the 50 W flame source per UL 94 Section 8 (HB/V-0/V-1/V-2). Testing to 5VA/5VB requires a 500 W flame source and additional chamber instrumentation—available in the higher-tier CZF-6 platform.
Can natural gas be used interchangeably with methane without recalibration?
Yes—if certified at 37 MJ/m³ ± 1 MJ/m³ and verified using the included temperature ramp protocol (44 s or 54 s). Deviations beyond ±1 MJ/m³ require revalidation with copper slug and thermocouple.
Is the chamber volume customizable for ISO 11925-2 compliance?
The standard 0.75 m³ chamber meets UL 94 and IEC 60695-11-4. For ISO 11925-2 (single-burner small-flame test), the optional 1.0 m³ variant is recommended to satisfy minimum free-space volume requirements.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the burner assembly?
Inspect nozzle orifice every 50 test cycles; clean with nitric acid-free stainless-steel brush. Replace thermocouple annually or after 200 flame exposures—whichever occurs first.
Is third-party calibration service available?
Yes. North Guang Precision partners with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs in Germany, Singapore, and the U.S. for on-site or depot calibration—including flame geometry verification, temperature ramp validation, and timing accuracy certification.
