ASTM C578-11be1

Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standards for the types, physical properties and dimensions of cellular polystyrene boards with or without facings or coatings made by molding (EPS) or extrusion (XPS) of expandable polystyrene proposed for use as thermal insulation. This specification, however, does not cover laminated products manufactured with any type of rigid board facer including fiberboard, perlite board, gypsum board, or oriented strand board. All thermal insulation shall be of uniform density and shall contain sufficient flame retardants to meet the oxygen index of requirements. They shall also meet the physical requirements such as thermal resistance, compressive resistance, flexural strength, water vapor permeance, water absorption, dimensional stability, and oxygen index specified herein.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties, and dimensions of cellular polystyrene boards with or without facings or coatings made by molding (EPS) or extrusion (XPS) of expandable polystyrene. Products manufactured to this specification are intended for use as thermal insulation for temperatures from -65 to +165°F (-53.9 to +73.9°C). This specification does not apply to laminated products manufactured with any type of rigid board facer including fiberboard, perlite board, gypsum board, or oriented strand board.
1.1.1 For Type XIII only, this specification covers the physical properties, and dimensions of cellular polystyrene intended for use as thermal insulation for temperatures from −297 to +165°F (−183 to +73.9°C).
1.2 Consult the manufacturer for specific recommendations and properties in cryogenic conditions.
1.2.1 This specification does not cover cryogenic properties except for the k-factors for Type XIII in Appendix X1. For Type XIII in specific cryogenic applications, the manufacturer and purchaser shall agree upon the actual temperature limits and physical property requirements in addition to the k-factors in Appendix X1.
1.3 The use of thermal insulation materials covered by this specification may be regulated by building codes that address fire performance. For some end uses, specifiers should also address the effect of moisture and wind pressure resistance. Guidelines regarding these end use considerations are included in Appendix X1.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Nov-2011
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.22 - Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C578-11b - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM C578-12 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E2568-17a - Standard Specification for PB Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C898/C898M-09(2017) - Standard Guide for Use of High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane with Separate Wearing Course
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C981-20 - Standard Guide for Design of Built-Up Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing Systems for Building Decks
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2430/E2430M-19 - Standard Specification for Expanded Polystyrene (“EPS”) Thermal Insulation Boards for Use in Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (“EIFS”)
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1696-20 - Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1303/C1303M-22 - Standard Test Method for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Resistance of Closed-Cell Foam Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2634-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1774-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1918-21 - Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulation Materials after Immersion and Exposure to Drying Conditions
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1063-23 - Standard Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring to Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based Plaster
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6817/D6817M-17(2021) - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1558-19 - Standard Guide for Development of Standard Data Records for Computerization of Thermal Transmission Test Data for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7793-21 - Standard Specification for Insulated Vinyl Siding
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: C578 – 11b
Standard Specification for
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Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C578; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
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ϵ NOTE—8.2.1 was editorially corrected in February 2012.
1. Scope 1.4 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
2 as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.1 Thisspecification coversthetypes,physicalproperties,
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and dimensions of cellular polystyrene boards with or without
and are not considered standard.
facingsorcoatingsmadebymolding(EPS)orextrusion(XPS)
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of expandable polystyrene. Products manufactured to this
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specification are intended for use as thermal insulation for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
temperatures from -65 to +165°F (-53.9 to +73.9°C). This
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
specification does not apply to laminated products manufac-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tured with any type of rigid board facer including fiberboard,
perlite board, gypsum board, or oriented strand board.
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.1 For Type XIII only, this specification covers the
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
physical properties, and dimensions of cellular polystyrene
C165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
intended for use as thermal insulation for temperatures from
of Thermal Insulations
−297 to +165°F (−183 to +73.9°C).
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
1.2 Consult the manufacturer for specific recommendations
C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
and properties in cryogenic conditions.
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
1.2.1 This specification does not cover cryogenic properties
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
except for the k-factors for Type XIII in Appendix X1. For
C203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Prop-
Type XIII in specific cryogenic applications, the manufacturer
erties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
and purchaser shall agree upon the actual temperature limits
C272 Test Method for Water Absorption of Core Materials
and physical property requirements in addition to the k-factors
for Structural Sandwich Constructions
in Appendix X1.
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
1.3 The use of thermal insulation materials covered by this
formed Block and Board−Type Thermal Insulation
specification may be regulated by building codes that address
C335 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Proper-
fire performance. For some end uses, specifiers should also
ties of Pipe Insulation
address the effect of moisture and wind pressure resistance.
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal
Guidelinesregardingtheseenduseconsiderationsareincluded
Insulation Lots
in Appendix X1.
C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
C550 Test Method for Measuring Trueness and Squareness
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
of Rigid Block and Board Thermal Insulation
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.22 on
C870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma-
Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations.
terials
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2011. Published December 2011. Originally
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C578–11a. DOI:
10.1520/C0578-11BE01.
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ThisspecificationissimilartoISO4898-1984,“CellularPlastics–Specification
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for Rigid Cellular Materials Used in the Thermal Insulation of Buildings,” in title For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
only. The scope and technical content are significantly different. contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
ISO standards are available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. the ASTM website.
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C578 – 11b
C1045 PracticeforCalculatingThermalTransmissionProp- 5. Orderin
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