ASTM C1104/C1104M-13a

Standard Test Method for Determining the Water Vapor Sorption of Unfaced Mineral Fiber Insulation

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount of water vapor sorbed by mineral fiber insulation exposed to a high-humidity atmosphere. This test method is applicable only to fibrous base material and binder. The results obtained by this test method cannot be used in describing faced products, since the facing is not tested by using this test method.  
1.2 The water vapor sorption characteristics of materials may be affected by conditions such as elevated temperatures or chemical exposures. Values obtained as a result of this test method may not adequately describe the water vapor sorption characteristics of materials subjected to these conditions.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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: 31-Oct-2013
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.33 - Insulation Finishes and Moisture

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1104/C1104M-13 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Water Vapor Sorption of Unfaced Mineral Fiber Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Replaced By: ASTM C1104/C1104M-19 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Water Vapor Sorption of Unfaced Mineral Fiber Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Referred By: ASTM C1534-22 - Standard Specification for Flexible Polymeric Foam Sheet Insulation Used as a Thermal and Sound Absorbing Liner for Duct Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1290-16(2021) - Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass Blanket Insulation Used to Externally Insulate HVAC Ducts
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1676/C1676M-23 - Standard Specification for Microporous Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C612-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1696-20 - Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1014-17 - Standard Specification for Spray-Applied Mineral Fiber Thermal and Sound Absorbing Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1728-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible Aerogel Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1685-15(2021) - Standard Specification for Pneumatically Applied High-Temperature Fiber Thermal Insulation for Industrial Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C553-13(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C592-22a - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Insulation and Blanket-Type Pipe Insulation (Metal-Mesh Covered) (Industrial Type)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C991-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass Insulation for Metal Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1410-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Cellular Melamine Thermal and Sound-Absorbing Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C892-19 - Standard Specification for High-Temperature Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013

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: C1104/C1104M − 13a
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Water Vapor Sorption of Unfaced Mineral
1
Fiber Insulation
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationC1104/C1104M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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.
1. Scope C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal
Insulation Lots
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
of water vapor sorbed by mineral fiber insulation exposed to a
ASTM Test Methods
high-humidity atmosphere. This test method is applicable only
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
to fibrous base material and binder.The results obtained by this
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
test method cannot be used in describing faced products, since
the facing is not tested by using this test method.
3. Terminology
1.2 The water vapor sorption characteristics of materials
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
may be affected by conditions such as elevated temperatures or
3.1.1 The term sorption has been adopted for this test
chemical exposures. Values obtained as a result of this test
method,sincemineralfiberinsulationmay absorbwaterwithin
method may not adequately describe the water vapor sorption
its bulk when viewed macroscopically, while it adsorbs water
characteristics of materials subjected to these conditions.
onto individual fibers on a microscopic scale.
(1) sorption—refers to the taking up and holding of matter
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
by other matter by various processes such as absorption and
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
adsorption.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
(2) absorption—referstothetakingupofmatterin-bulkby
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
other matter; for example, the penetration of substances into
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
the bulk of another solid or liquid.
with the standard.
(3) adsorption—refers to surface retention or adhesion of
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
anextremelythinlayerofmoleculestothesurfacesofsolidsor
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
liquids with which they are in contact.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 The insulation is dried to a constant weight and exposed
to a high-humidity atmosphere for 96 h. The amount of water
2. Referenced Documents
sorbed from the vapor phase is the difference in specimen
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
weights, and is expressed in either weight or volume percent.
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or
Batt Thermal Insulations
5. Significance and Use
C302 Test Method for Density and Dimensions of Pre-
5.1 The sorption of water can result in an increase in weight
formed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
and a resultant potential degradation of the properties of the
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
insulation.
formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
6. Apparatus
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee C16 on Thermal 6.1 Air-circulating oven, capable of maintaining a tempera-
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Insulation
ture between 102° and 121°C [215° and 250°F].
Finishes and Moisture.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2013. Published December 2013. Originally 6.2 Desiccator, with calcium chloride as a desiccant.
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as C1104/C1104M – 13.
6.3 Scale, accurate to 60.1 % of specimen weight.
DOI: 10.1520/C1104_C1104M-13A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.4 Environmental test chamber, capable of maintaining a
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
temperature of 49 6 2°C [120 6 3°F] and a relative humidity
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. of 95 63%.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1104/C1104M − 13a
between successive weighings should then be extended to at least 24 h.
6.5 Steel rule, graduated in 1 mm or 0.05 in. intervals with
depth gauge as described in Test Methods C167.
8.3 Bring the specimens to
...

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: C1104/C1104M − 13 C1104/C1104M − 13a
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Water Vapor Sorption of Unfaced Mineral
1
Fiber Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1104/C1104M; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount of water vapor sorbed by mineral fiber insulation exposed to a
high-humidity atmosphere. This test method is applicable only to fibrous base material and binder. The results obtained by this test
method cannot be used in describing faced products, since the facing is not tested by using this test method.
1.2 The water vapor sorption characteristics of materials may be affected by conditions such as elevated temperatures or
chemical exposures. Values obtained as a result of this test method may not adequately describe the water vapor sorption
characteristics of materials subjected to these conditions.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or Batt Thermal Insulations
C302 Test Method for Density and Dimensions of Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots
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 Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 The term sorption has been adopted for this test method, since mineral fiber insulation may absorb water within its bulk
when viewed macroscopically, while it adsorbs water onto individual fibers on a microscopic scale.
(1) sorption—refers to the taking up and holding of matter by other matter by various processes such as absorption and
adsorption.
(2) absorption—refers to the taking up of matter in-bulk by other matter; for example, the penetration of substances into the
bulk of another solid or liquid.
(3) adsorption—refers to surface retention or adhesion of an extremely thin layer of molecules to the surfaces of solids or
liquids with which they are in contact.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The insulation is dried to a constant weight and exposed to a high-humidity atmosphere for 96 h. The amount of water
sorbed from the vapor phase is the difference in specimen weights, and is expressed in either weight or volume percent.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Insulation Finishes and
Moisture.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2013Nov. 1, 2013. Published January 2013December 2013. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 20062013
as C1104/C1104M – 00C1104/C1104M – 13.(2006). DOI: 10.1520/C1104_C1104M-13.10.1520/C1104_C1104M-13A.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1104/C1104M − 13a
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The sorption of water can result in an increase in weight and a resultant potential degradation of the properties of the
insulation.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Air-circulating oven, capable of maintaining a temperature between 102° and 121°C [215° and 250°F].
6.2 Desiccator, with calcium c
...