Silicate cover plates are generally in the form of flat sheet samples. If applying for the AS1530.1 non-combustibility test, the sample needs to be specially cut into a cylindrical shape.

Five specimens should be prepared for each material.

The specimen is cylindrical with a diameter of , a height of 50±3mm, and a volume of 80±5cm3

Before testing, the specimens should be conditioned in a ventilated drying oven at 60°C±5°C for 20h to 24h, and then cooled to room temperature in a desiccator before the test. Prior to testing, the mass of each specimen should be weighed with an accuracy of 0.1g.

The AS 1530.1 non-combustibility test is generally intended for non-combustible materials or inorganic materials. The standard provides a definition of products applicable to AS 1530.1. Refer to the following scope of application:

This standard specifies the test method for determining the combustibility of building materials.

This standard is applicable to testing building materials. It does not apply to testing coated, faced, or multi-layered products. For composite products, the constituent materials may be tested separately, and this should be stated in the test report.

Regarding the AS1530.1 test for silicate cover plates, the test procedure can be referred to as follows:

a)Start the timer immediately after placing the specimen into the furnace.

b)Record the temperatures measured by the furnace thermocouple and the specimen thermocouple throughout the test period.

c)The test usually lasts for 30 minutes. If all three thermocouples reach final temperature equilibrium at 30 minutes, the test may be stopped.

d)If one or more thermocouples have not reached final temperature equilibrium at 30 minutes, continue the test and check for final temperature equilibrium every 5 minutes. Stop the test when all thermocouples have reached final temperature equilibrium, and record the duration of the test. Then remove the specimen from the furnace. The end of the last 5-minute interval is considered the end of the test.

e)Collect all carbides, ash, and other debris that break off or fall from the specimen during and after the test. Place them together with the specimen in a desiccator to cool to ambient temperature, then weigh the residual mass of the specimen.