ASTM E96/E96M-16

Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The purpose of these tests is to obtain, by means of simple apparatus, reliable values of water vapor transfer through permeable and semipermeable materials, expressed in suitable units. These values are for use in design, manufacture, and marketing. A permeance value obtained under one set of test conditions may not indicate the value under a different set of conditions. For this reason, the test conditions should be selected that most closely approach the conditions of use. While any set of conditions may be used and those conditions reported, standard conditions that have been useful are shown in Appendix X1.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water vapor transmission (WVT) of materials through which the passage of water vapor may be of importance, such as paper, plastic films, other sheet materials, fiberboards, gypsum and plaster products, wood products, and plastics. The test methods are limited to specimens not over 11/4 in. [32 mm] in thickness except as provided in Section 9. Two basic methods, the Desiccant Method and the Water Method, are provided for the measurement of permeance, and two variations include service conditions with one side wetted and service conditions with low humidity on one side and high humidity on the other. Agreement should not be expected between results obtained by different methods. The method should be selected that more nearly approaches the conditions of use.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. However, derived results can be converted from one system to the other using appropriate conversion factors (see Table 1). (A) These units are used in the construction trade. Other units may be used in other standards.(B) All conversions of mm Hg to Pa are made at a temperature of 0°C.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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: 29-Feb-2016
• ICS: 77.040.99 - Other methods of testing of metals
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.33 - Insulation Finishes and Moisture

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
Designation: E96/E96M − 16
Standard Test Methods for
1
Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E96/E96M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope C1809Practice for Preparation of Specimens and Reporting
of Results for Permeance Testing of Pressure Sensitive
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water
Adhesive Sealed Joints in Insulation Vapor Retarders
vapor transmission (WVT) of materials through which the
D449/D449MSpecificationforAsphaltUsedinDampproof-
passage of water vapor may be of importance, such as paper,
ing and Waterproofing
plastic films, other sheet materials, fiberboards, gypsum and
D2301Specification for Vinyl Chloride Plastic Pressure-
plasterproducts,woodproducts,andplastics.Thetestmethods
Sensitive Electrical Insulating Tape
1
are limited to specimens not over 1 ⁄4 in. [32 mm] in thickness
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
except as provided in Section 9. Two basic methods, the
ASTM Test Methods
Desiccant Method and the Water Method, are provided for the
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
measurementofpermeance,andtwovariationsincludeservice
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
conditions with one side wetted and service conditions with
low humidity on one side and high humidity on the other.
3. Terminology
Agreementshouldnotbeexpectedbetweenresultsobtainedby
3.1 Definitions of terms used in this standard will be found
different methods. The method should be selected that more
in Terminology C168, from which the following is quoted:
nearly approaches the conditions of use.
“water vapor permeability—the time rate of water vapor
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
transmissionthroughunitareaofflatmaterialofunitthickness
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
inducedbyunitvaporpressuredifferencebetweentwospecific
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
surfaces, under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
Discussion—Permeabilityisapropertyofamaterial,butthe
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
permeability of a body that performs like a material may be
with the standard. However, derived results can be converted
used. Permeability is the arithmetic product of permeance and
from one system to the other using appropriate conversion
thickness.
factors (see Table 1).
water vapor permeance—the time rate of water vapor
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
transmission through unit area of flat material or construction
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
inducedbyunitvaporpressuredifferencebetweentwospecific
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surfaces, under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Discussion—Permeanceisaperformanceevaluationandnot
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
a property of a material.
3.2 water vapor transmission rate—the steady water vapor
2. Referenced Documents
flowinunittimethroughunitareaofabody,normaltospecific
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
parallel surfaces, under specific conditions of temperature and
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
humidity at each surface.”
4. Summary of Test Methods
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
4.1 In the Desiccant Method the test specimen is sealed to
Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on
Insulation Finishes and Moisture.
the open mouth of a test dish containing a desiccant, and the
Current edition approved March 1, 2016. Published April 2016. Originally
assembly placed in a controlled atmosphere. Periodic weigh-
approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E96/E96M–15. DOI:
ings determine the rate of water vapor movement through the
10.1520/E0096_E0096M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or specimen into the desiccant.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.2 In the Water Method, the dish contains distilled water,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. and the weighings determine the rate of vapor movement
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-295
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E96/E96M − 15 E96/E96M − 16
Standard Test Methods for
1
Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E96/E96M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water vapor transmission (WVT) of materials through which the passage of
water vapor may be of importance, such as paper, plastic films, other sheet materials, fiberboards, gypsum and plaster products,
1
wood products, and plastics. The test methods are limited to specimens not over 1 ⁄4 in. [32 mm] in thickness except as provided
in Section 9. Two basic methods, the Desiccant Method and the Water Method, are provided for the measurement of permeance,
and two variations include service conditions with one side wetted and service conditions with low humidity on one side and high
humidity on the other. Agreement should not be expected between results obtained by different methods. The method should be
selected that more nearly approaches the conditions of use.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. However, derived results can be converted from one system to the
other using appropriate conversion factors (see Table 1).
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
E177C1809 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test MethodsPreparation of Specimens and Reporting
of Results for Permeance Testing of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Sealed Joints in Insulation Vapor Retarders
D449/D449M Specification for Asphalt Used in Dampproofing and Waterproofing
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Insulation
Finishes and Moisture.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015March 1, 2016. Published September 2015April 2016. Originally approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 20142015
as E96E96/E96M – 15.– 14. DOI: 10.1520/E0096_E0096M-15.10.1520/E0096_E0096M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
A,B
TABLE 1 Metric Units and Conversion Factors
To Obtain (for the
Multiply by
same test condition)
WVT
2 2
g/h·m 1.43 grains/h·ft
2 2
grains/h·ft 0.697 g/h·m
Permeance
2 7
g/Pa·s·m 1.75 × 10 1 Perm (inch-pound)
−8 2
1 Perm (inch-pound) 5.72 × 10 g/Pa·s·m
Permeability
8
g/Pa·s·m 6.88 × 10 1 Perm inch
−9
1 Perm inch 1.45 × 10 g/Pa·s·m
A
These units are used in the construction trade. Other units may be used in other
standards.
B
All conversions of mm Hg to Pa are made at a temperature of 0°C.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E96/E96M − 16
D2301 Specification for Vinyl Chloride Plastic Pressure-Sensitive Electrical Insulating Tape
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of terms used in this standard will be found in Terminology C168, from which the following is quoted:
“water vapor permeability—the time rate of water vapor transmission through unit area of flat material of unit thickness induced
by unit vapor pressure difference between two specific surfaces, under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
Discussion—Permeability is a property of a material, b
...