ASTM C421-08(2020)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Tumbling Friability of Preformed Block-Type and Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
Standard Test Method for Tumbling Friability of Preformed Block-Type and Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Several test methods for measuring mass loss by abrasion and impact of preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type thermal insulation have been used previously. It is believed that no single test method completely covers all factors involving such forces for different kinds of materials, but this test method is intended to provide a procedure that gives reproducible results. It is used for comparing the mass loss by tumbling before and after a specific treatment of the insulation, as agreed upon by the purchaser and the manufacturer.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of the mass loss of preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type thermal insulation as a result of a combination of abrasion and impact produced by a laboratory tumbling mechanism.
1.2 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.
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 29-Feb-2020
- Technical Committee
- C16 - Thermal Insulation
- Drafting Committee
- C16.32 - Mechanical Properties
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2020
- Effective Date
- 15-Apr-2024
- Effective Date
- 15-Apr-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2017
- Effective Date
- 15-Oct-2016
- Effective Date
- 15-Oct-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2010
- Effective Date
- 15-Dec-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2007
Overview
ASTM C421-08(2020) is the internationally recognized Standard Test Method for Tumbling Friability of Preformed Block-Type and Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation. Developed by ASTM International, this standard provides a consistent and reproducible procedure to determine the mass loss of thermal insulation materials due to a combination of abrasion and impact using a laboratory tumbling mechanism. The test method is crucial for evaluating the durability and mechanical resilience of insulation products used in various industrial and commercial applications.
Key Topics
- Purpose: The standard assesses the friability or the tendency of preformed insulation (block-type and pipe-covering-type) to break down or lose mass when subjected to abrasion and impact forces.
- Test Method: Specifies the use of a rotating cubical box with standard oak cubes to subject insulation samples to tumbling forces, simulating real-world handling and service conditions.
- Mass Loss Calculation: The mass loss is measured as a percentage by weighing the test specimens before and after the tumbling process.
- Conditioning Requirements: Insulation specimens must be conditioned to specific humidity and temperature requirements to ensure reliable and repeatable results.
- Repeatability and Reproducibility: The method includes measures for statistical reliability, ensuring that results are consistent within and between laboratories.
- Material Coverage: Applies specifically to preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type thermal insulation materials, including both rigid cellular plastics and other mineral or fibrous insulations.
Applications
- Quality Control: Manufacturers use ASTM C421 to benchmark and ensure product quality, comparing mass loss results before and after treatments or changes in manufacturing processes.
- Product Comparison: Provides a uniform basis to compare the durability and integrity of different thermal insulation materials or products.
- Specification Compliance: Assists purchasers and specifiers in verifying that insulation materials meet durability requirements for specific projects or industry standards.
- Research and Development: Useful in developing new insulation materials or formulations designed to have improved resistance to abrasion and impact.
- Field Simulation: The test simulates handling, shipment, and installation stresses, helping predict how insulation will perform in real-world applications.
Related Standards
For comprehensive evaluation of thermal insulation materials, the following ASTM standards are frequently referenced alongside ASTM C421:
- ASTM C168: Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
- ASTM C302: Test Method for Density and Dimensions of Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
- ASTM C303: Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
These related standards provide additional context for material selection, specification, and testing within the thermal insulation industry.
Keywords: ASTM C421, tumbling friability, thermal insulation, block-type insulation, pipe-covering insulation, abrasion resistance, impact resistance, insulation durability, mass loss testing, insulation quality control, ASTM International standards.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM C421-08(2020) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Tumbling Friability of Preformed Block-Type and Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 Several test methods for measuring mass loss by abrasion and impact of preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type thermal insulation have been used previously. It is believed that no single test method completely covers all factors involving such forces for different kinds of materials, but this test method is intended to provide a procedure that gives reproducible results. It is used for comparing the mass loss by tumbling before and after a specific treatment of the insulation, as agreed upon by the purchaser and the manufacturer. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers determination of the mass loss of preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type thermal insulation as a result of a combination of abrasion and impact produced by a laboratory tumbling mechanism. 1.2 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. 1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 Several test methods for measuring mass loss by abrasion and impact of preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type thermal insulation have been used previously. It is believed that no single test method completely covers all factors involving such forces for different kinds of materials, but this test method is intended to provide a procedure that gives reproducible results. It is used for comparing the mass loss by tumbling before and after a specific treatment of the insulation, as agreed upon by the purchaser and the manufacturer. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers determination of the mass loss of preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type thermal insulation as a result of a combination of abrasion and impact produced by a laboratory tumbling mechanism. 1.2 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. 1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM C421-08(2020) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 27.220 - Heat recovery. Thermal insulation. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM C421-08(2020) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM C421-08(2014), ASTM C168-24, ASTM C168-18, ASTM C168-17, ASTM C303-10(2016), ASTM C168-15a, ASTM C168-15, ASTM C302-13, ASTM C168-13, ASTM C303-10, ASTM C168-10, ASTM C168-08b, ASTM C168-08a, ASTM C168-08, ASTM C303-07. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM C421-08(2020) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C421 − 08 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Tumbling Friability of Preformed Block-Type and Preformed
Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C421; 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 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method covers determination of the mass loss
4.1 Several test methods for measuring mass loss by abra-
of preformed block-type and preformed pipe-covering-type
sion and impact of preformed block-type and preformed
thermal insulation as a result of a combination of abrasion and
pipe-covering-type thermal insulation have been used previ-
impact produced by a laboratory tumbling mechanism.
ously. It is believed that no single test method completely
covers all factors involving such forces for different kinds of
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
materials, but this test method is intended to provide a
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
procedure that gives reproducible results. It is used for com-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
paring the mass loss by tumbling before and after a specific
and are not considered standard.
treatment of the insulation, as agreed upon by the purchaser
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and the manufacturer.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Apparatus
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Box—A cubical box of oak wood, having inside dimen-
1 3 3
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
sions of 7 ⁄2 by 7 ⁄4 by 7 ⁄4 in. (190 by 197 by 197 mm),
3 3
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
mounted rigidly at the center of one 7 ⁄4 by 7 ⁄4 in. (197 by 197
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
mm) end, so that the axis normal to a face of the box is that of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
a rotatable horizontal shaft. One side of the box shall be hinged
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
as a door and shall be gasketed to be dust-tight. The box shaft
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
shall be motor driven at a constant speed of 60 6 2 r/min.
3 1
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Cubes—Twenty-four room-dry, solid oak, ⁄4 6 ⁄32-in.
(19 6 0.8-mm) cubes shall be placed in the box with the test
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specimens. The specific gravity of the oak cubes shall be
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
approximately 0.65; white oak meets this requirement.
C302 Test Method for Density and Dimensions of Pre-
formed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
NOTE 1—Number each group of wood cubes 1 through 24. At the end
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
of every 600-revolution test, remove one “used” cube (follow the number
formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation sequence and remove the oldest cube) and replace with a correspondingly
numbered “new” cube. In this manner, cube wear is eliminated as an
3. Terminology
uncontrolled variable in the test method. When the corners of the wood
cubes have been worn so that the radius of curvature is greater than ⁄16 in.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions pertaining to thermal insulat-
(1.6 mm) or the cubes have become altered so as not to be comparable
ing materials are defined in Terminology C168.
with new cubes, they shall be discarded and new ones used. A conven-
tional machinist’s radius gage is used for checking the edge wear.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical
6. Test Specimens
Properties.
Current edition approved March 1, 2020. Published March 2020. Originally
6.1 Cut the insulation with a fine-tooth saw (similar to a
approved in 1958. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C421 – 08 (2014).
16-tooth band saw) into 1 6 ⁄16-in. (25.4 6 1.6-mm) cubes.
DOI: 10.1520/C0421-08R20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.2 Test twelve cubes at a time cut from one piece of
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
insulation. When flat insulation has special surfaces due to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. treatment or molding, cut each cube to include such special
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C421 − 08 (2020)
TABLE 1 Precision
surfaces as one face, except that the edges and corne
...
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