ASTM D7936-25 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Flammability of Electrical Insulating Materials Intended for Wires or Cables When Burning in Horizontal Configuration. This ASTM test method (designation D7936-25) specifies a laboratory procedure to evaluate horizontal burning behaviour of insulating materials used on wires and cables, including criteria for flaming duration, flame spread and flaming dripping when exposed to a defined gas-burner ignition source. DOI: 10.1520/D7936-25.

Abstract

D7936-25 is a short, focused fire-test-response method that measures the ability of electrical insulating materials to cease flaming after removal of an ignition source and to indicate the tendency of the material to spread flame by dripping flaming particles in a horizontal orientation. The procedure uses a gas burner (methane or natural gas) under controlled laboratory conditions; results are intended to characterize material behaviour for comparison and product control rather than to predict full-scale fire risk.

General information

• Status: Active
• Publication date: December 1, 2025 (D7936-25)
• Publisher: ASTM International
• ICS / categories: 13.220.40 (Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products); 29.035.01 (Insulating materials in general)
• Edition / version: D7936-25 (2025 revision)
• Number of pages: 3

Scope

This fire-test-response standard applies to electrical insulation materials incorporated in wires and cables and specifies a horizontal-burn test exposure using a gas burner (methane or natural gas). It is intended to measure flaming duration after removal of the ignition source and to assess flame spread and flaming drip under the defined laboratory conditions. The standard is valid only for the exposure conditions described and is not, by itself, a complete measure of fire hazard under real fire conditions.

Key topics and requirements

• Test orientation: horizontal specimen configuration and fixture requirements.
• Ignition source: specified gas burner fuelled by methane or natural gas and defined flame application time.
• Measured endpoints: time to cessation of flaming after ignition removal, extent of char/flame spread, and presence/behaviour of flaming drips/particles.
• Specimen preparation: sample dimensions, conditioning and mounting appropriate to wire/cable insulation materials.
• Reporting: results expressed in SI units; use SI values for referee decisions per IEEE/ASTM SI-10 guidance.
• Limitations: test characterizes response under specific laboratory conditions and does not substitute for full-scale fire-risk assessment.

Typical use and users

Used by wire and cable manufacturers, material suppliers, independent testing laboratories, product certifiers and procurement/specification engineers to screen insulating materials, verify formulation changes, support product qualification and compare relative horizontal-flame behaviour. Regulatory bodies and certification programs may reference the method when assessing component-level flammability performance for assemblies.

Related standards

Commonly referenced standards and documents in conjunction with D7936-25 include ASTM Test Methods for cable and polymer flammability (for example Test Methods used in cable assessment), the previous edition D7936-20 which D7936-25 supersedes, and other national/international flammability standards such as UL 94 (plastics flammability), IEC 60332 series (cable vertical/horizontal flame tests) and ASTM D2863 (limiting oxygen index) for complementary material flammability information. Users should consult the normative and informative references listed in the standard for full context.

Keywords

flame spread, horizontal burn, cable insulation, wire insulation, flammability test, flaming drip, gas burner ignition, ASTM D7936-25, electrical insulating materials.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: D7936-25 is an ASTM Standard Test Method that defines a horizontal flame test to evaluate flammability characteristics of electrical insulating materials used on wires and cables.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, the use of a specified gas burner ignition source (methane or natural gas), test conditions in a horizontal configuration, and measurement/reporting of flaming duration, flame spread and flaming dripping under controlled laboratory conditions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Wire and cable manufacturers, material suppliers, independent testing laboratories, product certifiers, specification engineers and regulators use the method for material screening, quality control and product qualification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: D7936-25 is the current, active edition published in 2025 and supersedes the prior edition D7936-20. It is active as of February 21, 2026.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The method is part of the suite of ASTM fire-test-response and electrical/cable testing standards maintained by Committee D09 (Subcommittee D09.17). It is used alongside other cable and polymer flammability standards for comprehensive evaluation.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: cable, wire, insulation, flammability, horizontal flame, flame spread, flaming drip, gas burner, ASTM D7936-25.