Reagents & Standards
Flash point
The flash point of a fuel is the temperature to which the fuel must be heated to produce an ignitable vapor-air mixture above the liquid fuel when exposed to an open flame. The most common procedure used for determining the flash point of fuels is the ASTM D 93 / IP 34 test method.
In practice, flash point is important primarily from a fuel handling standpoint. Too low a flash point will cause fuel to be a fire hazard, subject to flashing, and possible continued ignition and explosion. In addition, a low-flash point may indicate contamination by more volatile and explosive fuels such as gasoline.