GMW 3232 standard developed by General Motors company describes a test method used to determine the horizontal combustion rate of automotive materials. The burning rate is determined immediately after exposure to a small flame for a short time. During the test, the small flame is placed in contact with one edge of the material.
This standard defines requirements, test conditions and reporting criteria for interior raw materials, including but not limited to textiles, leather, plastics and similar raw materials, to support the compliance of the production piece with regulatory requirements. Aging and statistical requirements address the variability seen in some raw materials, including textiles, as well as sampling conditions defined in legal regulations. Parts requirements and reporting must comply with regulations.
This testing method allows for the testing of vehicle interior materials and parts individually or in combination up to 13 mm thick. It is normally only applicable to materials and parts up to 13 mm thick within the passenger compartment airspace. All sources supplying parts or materials that meet these requirements must perform routine quality control tests to verify the conformity of each material or part produced. Each batch of material must remain readily available and identifiable until testing is complete so that it can be retrieved in case of inspection or testing failure.
The test cabinet used in the tests is a rectangular steel cabinet approximately 381 mm long, 203 mm deep and 356 mm high. This cabinet has a heat-resistant glass observation window, a closable opening to allow placement of the test specimen mount, and a hole to house the piping for a gas burner. In addition, a drying oven is required for the tests, which can maintain the specified temperature within the specified tolerances. In addition, a chemical fume hood suitable for the assembly of the test cabinet is required to prevent the combustion products from spreading to the laboratory during the test.
Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services for the determination of the flammability of interior flooring materials, within the scope of the GMW 3232 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
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