ZXLR Cone Calorimeter

The ZXLR Cone Calorimeter (Building Material Heat Release Rate Fire Test Machine) is a state-of-the-art bench-scale fire testing instrument manufactured strictly in accordance with ISO 5660-1/2, GB/T 16172-2026, ASTM E1354, BS 476-15, and NFPA 271 standards. Operating on the principle of oxygen consumption calorimetry, it evaluates the dynamic fire performance of building materials, polymers, composites, textiles, wire & cable sheaths, and transportation interiors under controlled radiant thermal exposure.

Equipped with a 5000W high-uniformity radiant cone heater (0–100 kW/m²), a thermally insulated 0.1g high-precision weighing module, an automated program-driven radiation shield, and an integrated gas sampling and smoke analysis pipeline, this comprehensive Cone Calorimeter captures critical fire safety metrics including Heat Release Rate (HRR), Total Heat Release (THR), Mass Loss Rate (MLR), smoke extinction coefficient, and toxic gas emission (CO/CO₂) for advanced material R&D and global certification.

Cone Calorimeter Compliance & International Fire Standards

This building material heat release rate fire test machine enables accredited testing laboratories to execute formal fire performance profiling across international and sector-specific testing frameworks:

Technological Features of ZXLR Building Material Heat Release Rate Test Machine

• 5000W High-Uniformity Radiant Cone Heater (0–100 kW/m²): Features a double-layer heat-resistant ceramic fiber jacket (13mm thick, 100 kg/m³ density) enclosing an imported heating coil. Delivers uniform radiant heat flux with a center deviation ≤ ±2% and PID+SSR closed-loop temperature control (±10°C precision).
• Thermally Isolated 0.1g High-Precision Weighing System: Employs a dual thermal barrier system that shields the load cell from direct heat radiation, maintaining the sensor at ambient temperatures. Provides 0–1000g measurement range with 0.1g resolution and minimal signal drift (≤1g per 30 minutes).
• Automated Non-Water-Cooled Radiation Shield: Constructed from 6mm high-temperature resistant stainless steel. Automatically inserts and retracts via computer program signals, protecting the sample prior to test initialization without requiring manual intervention.
• Integrated Gas Conditioning & Toxic Fume Analysis Pipeline: Equipped with inline soot filters, moisture traps, cold traps, and continuous non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) / paramagnetic gas analyzers to monitor oxygen consumption alongside CO and CO₂ gas release rates in real time.
• Dual Touchscreen & PC Interface with Automatic Curve Plotting: Integrates an onboard touch control panel with advanced PC software. Automatically plots real-time HRR, Total Heat Release (THR), Mass Loss Rate (MLR), Effective Heat of Combustion (EHC), and Smoke Production Rate (SPR) curves with one-click PDF report export.

Technical Specifications of ZXLR Cone Calorimeter

System Architecture & Testing Workflow of Cone Calorimeter

Standardized Testing Workflow:

1. Mount the 100mm × 100mm specimen in aluminum foil inside the stainless steel specimen holder and place it onto the load cell platform.
2. Set the target radiant heat flux (e.g., 25, 35, or 50 kW/m²) via the PC software and calibrate the cone heater output.
3. Initialize the test sequence; the automated radiation shield retracts, exposing the specimen to radiant heat while sparking the spark igniter.
4. The system captures ignition time, continuously measures oxygen consumption in the exhaust duct, tracks specimen mass loss, and logs toxic gas levels.
5. Upon flame extinction, the system automatically inserts the shield, calculates HRR peak/average values, and exports a standardized test report.

Target Customer Applications:

• Building material manufacturers (insulation boards, wood composites, wall claddings, plastic panels).
• Wire and cable sheath, railway interior, automotive component, and marine coating producers.
• Third-party fire testing laboratories and international material certification bodies.
• University fire engineering departments, polymer research facilities, and material science institutes.

ISO 5660 Cone Calorimeter FAQ

Q1: Why is the Heat Release Rate (HRR) considered the most critical parameter in fire testing?

A: HRR measures the amount of thermal energy released per unit area over time during combustion. It directly correlates with fire growth rate, flashover potential, and flame spread severity, making it the single most important parameter for fire risk assessment.

Q2: How does Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry work in the ZXLR system?

A: Oxygen consumption calorimetry is based on the empirical discovery that for most organic materials, a constant amount of heat (approximately 13.1 MJ) is released per kilogram of oxygen consumed. By precisely measuring oxygen concentration and flow rate in the exhaust duct, the system accurately calculates the exact heat release rate.

Q3: How does the load cell protection system ensure long-term stability?

A: Radiant heat from 100 kW/m² testing can damage weighing sensors. The ZXLR system incorporates a double-layer thermal isolation barrier and heat sink surrounding the load cell, ensuring sensor temperatures remain at ambient room conditions during long-duration burns.