Testing materials

Listen to someone talking about

What do these words mean ? flammability tests.
Flammable Inflammable 1) What are they testing ?
Non-flammable 2) What do the tests measure ?
3) Why are these tests important ?

Listen again and complete the sentences :

1. We take ……. and attach them to metal frames.
2. Then we ……… …….. to them.
3. First we see how fast the fabric ………. ……….
4. Then we test another sample to see how far the flames ………….
5. If the fabric ……… that test, we do a third test.

Which word from above means :

begins to burn ? _____________ specimens, small quantities ________________

makes something burn ? _____________ of a product ?
s not successful ? _____________ expand to cover a larger ________________
area ?

Read this written description of the tests – how is the language different ?

Flammability Test Procedures

Fabric samples are attached to a metal frame and a small flame is applied. In the first test, the time the fabric
takes to ignite is recorded. In the second test, the distance the flames spread is measured. If the fabric fails that
test, a third test is carried out on a larger sample.

Complete this text about flammability tests with the verbs in the passive.

Flammability tests for fabrics __________ __________ (introduce) in the 1950s to reduce the risk of
damage to property, or serious accidents to people. Since this time, many lives __________
__________ __________ (save) thanks to slow-burning materials. New products __________
currently __________ __________ (develop)to improve flame resistance and when the prototypes
are ready they __________ __________ __________ (send)to labs for testing before __________
__________ (produce)in factories.