Not every laboratory needs full automation — and not every budget allows for it. The Flash-93S is built for exactly that middle ground: a semi-automatic Pensky-Martens Closed Cup (PMCC) flash point tester that delivers accurate, repeatable results with intelligent automation where it matters most, while keeping operation straightforward and accessible.
The Flash-93S is designed to determine the flash point of petroleum products, biodiesel, lubricating oils, solvents, and a wide range of other homogeneous petroleum-based liquids. It operates across a temperature range of 40°C to 360°C for petroleum products and 60°C to 190°C for biodiesel — covering virtually the entire practical range required by PMCC test methods.
Where the Flash-93S stands out is in the precision of its heating control. A ten-turn potentiometer gives operators fine, step-by-step control over the heating rate — a level of adjustment that single-turn alternatives simply cannot match. Combined with automatic flash detection, fixed test components, and an inbuilt centrifugal cooling blower, the instrument removes the most error-prone elements of manual PMCC testing while retaining a level of operator engagement that many laboratories actively prefer.
The Flash-93S complies with all major international flash point testing standards — ASTM D93 (A/B/C), ISO 2719 (A/B/C), IP-34 (A/B/C), JIS K2265, and IS1448 [P:21] — making it a versatile and compliance-ready instrument for petroleum quality labs, industrial testing facilities, and research institutions alike.
The Flash-93S occupies an important position in the market — sitting between time-consuming manual instruments and fully automated systems. Here is why it is consistently chosen by laboratories that need reliable, standard-compliant results without the cost or complexity of full automation:
The Flash-93S is engineered to simplify the most critical aspects of PMCC flash point testing while giving operators meaningful control over the process.
The Flash-93S is suitable for flash point determination across a broad range of liquid sample types where PMCC methodology is required by specification or regulation:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Flash-93S |
| Test Methods | ASTM D93 (A/B/C), ISO 2719 (A/B/C), JIS K2265, IP-34 (A/B/C), IS1448 [P:21] |
| Temperature Range (Petroleum) | 40°C to 360°C |
| Temperature Range (Biodiesel) | 60°C to 190°C |
| Heating Control | Ten-turn potentiometer for precise rate adjustment |
| Ignition System | Electric (automatic on/off) and Gas (manual on/off) |
| Flash Detection | Automatic detection with result hold |
| Cooling System | Inbuilt centrifugal blower; auto-activates on flash detection |
| Sample Temperature Indicator | Digital display showing temperature, heating rate, and stirrer RPM |
| Test Components | Fixed sample cup lid, stirrer, temperature sensor, flash detector, and igniter |
| Test Operation | Automatic within specified range; manual single-push test switch available |
| Safety Features | Auto stop of stirring and heating on igniter dip; auto cooling on flash detection |
| Construction Material | Stainless Steel |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 410 mm × 420 mm × 330 mm |
| Weight | 16 kg |
| Power Supply | 230V, 50Hz |
| Ambient Temperature Range | 10°C to 35°C |
The Flash-93S is a semi-automatic instrument. Flash detection, cooling activation, and safety interlocks (stirring/heating stop during ignition dips) are fully automatic. However, the operator controls the heating rate manually via the ten-turn potentiometer and can choose to trigger ignition manually using the single-push test switch. A fully automatic instrument like the Flash-93H handles all of these steps through a microcontroller without operator intervention. The Flash-93S is the preferred choice for laboratories that want automation for the most critical steps but value direct operator engagement in the process.
The Flash-93S supports ASTM D93 (procedures A, B, and C), ISO 2719 (A, B, and C), IP-34 (A, B, and C), JIS K2265, and IS1448 [P:21]. This broad standard coverage makes it suitable for laboratories serving petroleum, petrochemical, biodiesel, lubricant, and chemical industries across multiple regulatory jurisdictions.
Yes. The Flash-93S operates within a dedicated temperature range of 60°C to 190°C for biodiesel testing. This range satisfies the flash point requirements specified in biodiesel quality standards including EN 14214 and ASTM D6751.
Flash point test methods such as ASTM D93 and ISO 2719 specify a defined heating rate that must be maintained during the test. A standard single-turn potentiometer does not provide sufficient resolution to make fine heating rate adjustments, which can lead to heating rates that fall outside the specified range and produce non-compliant results. The ten-turn potentiometer gives the operator much finer control, making it easier to achieve and maintain the exact heating rate required by the applicable test method.
When the flash detector registers a flash, the instrument automatically holds the flash point reading on the digital display and immediately activates the centrifugal cooling blower to begin cooling the sample. The detected result is displayed for the operator to record. This automatic response eliminates any delay between flash detection and result capture.
The Flash-93S is fitted with two ignition options: an electric igniter that operates automatically (switching on and off during each ignition dip without operator input) and a gas igniter that is operated manually. The choice between them depends on the laboratory’s available infrastructure and testing preference. Either igniter can be used independently, giving the instrument flexibility for different site conditions.
The Flash-93S incorporates several built-in safety features. When the electric igniter dips into the test position, stirring and heating stop automatically and resume once the igniter retracts — preventing the test from being disrupted by the ignition sequence. When a flash is detected, cooling activates immediately and automatically. These interlocks ensure the test follows the correct sequence and reduce the risk of overheating or sample-related incidents.
The Flash-93S is well suited to moderate-throughput environments where multiple samples need to be tested per shift. The inbuilt centrifugal cooling blower reduces cool-down time between tests, and the fixed component assembly eliminates the setup time associated with removable or adjustable test parts. For very high-throughput environments, a fully automatic instrument may be more appropriate.
The Flash-93S operates on a 230V, 50Hz single-phase power supply and requires an ambient temperature of 10°C to 35°C. If the gas ignition option is to be used, an appropriate gas supply connection is required at the point of installation.
The Flash-93S has a footprint of 410 mm (W) × 420 mm (D) with a height of 330 mm, and weighs 16 kg. It is designed to fit comfortably on a standard laboratory bench without requiring any special infrastructure beyond the power supply and, if applicable, a gas connection.
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