ASTM C240-97

Standard Test Methods of Testing Cellular Glass Insulation Block

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the testing of cellular glass insulation block for density, water absorption, compressive strength, flexural strength at ambient temperature; preparation for chemical analysis; and thermal conductivity measurements.  
1.2 The values stated in SI are generally to be regarded as the standard. The SI dimensions are to be used for material supplied in metric sizes. The inch dimensions are to be used for material supplied in inch sizes.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems 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: 09-Sep-1997
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.32 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C240-97(2003) - Standard Test Methods of Testing Cellular Glass Insulation Block
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1696-20 - Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1997
• Referred By: ASTM C165-23 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1997
• Referred By: ASTM C552-22 - Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1997
• Referred By: ASTM C1902-22a - Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Insulation Used in Building and Roof Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 240 – 97
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Methods of
Testing Cellular Glass Insulation Block
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 240; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 3951 Sampling Procedure and Charts for Inspection by
1.1 These test methods cover the testing of cellular glass
Variables for Percent Defective
insulation block for density, water absorption, compressive
2.3 Military Standard:
strength, flexural strength at ambient temperature; preparation
MIL-I-24244 Specification Insulation Materials with Spe-
for chemical analysis; and thermal conductivity measurements.
cial Corrosion, Chloride, and Fluoride Requirements
1.2 The values stated in SI are generally to be regarded as
2.4 Other Standard:
the standard. The SI dimensions are to be used for material
NRC 1.36 Nonmetallic Thermal Insulation for Austenitic
supplied in metric sizes. The inch dimensions are to be used for
Stainless Steel
material supplied in inch sizes.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C 168 shall be considered as
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
applying to the terms considered in these test methods.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 From a general standpoint, these test methods outline
2. Referenced Documents
the particular points which have to be taken into account when
2.1 ASTM Standards:
applying ASTM standard test methods to the case of cellular
C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
2 glass insulating block.
of Thermal Insulations
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulating Materi-
5. Test Methods
als
5.1 General Sample Preparation—All tests have to be run
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
on dry specimens. In case of need, the sample must be
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
2 unpacked and stored in a dry place in such a way that all
the Guarded Hot Plate Apparatus
surfaces are exposed to the ambient air for at least one day
C 203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Prop-
2 before testing.
erties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
5.2 Density—Determine the density in accordance with Test
C 303 Test Method for Density of Preformed Block-Type
2 Method C 303. Preferably, the density shall be measured on a
Thermal Insulation
full block, 450 by 600 mm (18 by 24 in.) by full thickness.
C 390 Criteria for Sampling and Acceptance of Preformed
5.2.1 It should be noted that density is interesting as such for
Thermal Insulation Lots
calculation of insulated equipment load and because it has
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
some influence on the other important properties of cellular
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
2 glass. But it should not be considered in itself as a criterion for
the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
acceptance in the case of cellular glass.
C 871 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Thermal
5.3 Water Absorption:
Insulation Materials for Leachable Chloride, Fluoride,
5.3.1 Scope—This test method covers the determination of
Silicate, and Sodium Ions
water absorption of cellular glass insulating blocks by measur-
D 226 Specification for Asphalt-Saturated Organic Felt
ing the amount of water retained as a result of complete
Used in Roofing and Waterproofing
immersion for a prescribed time interval. Surface blotting is
used to correct for the water absorbed on the cut surface cells.
These methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-16 on
Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Mechanical Properties.
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Current edition approved September 10, 1997. Published June 1998. Originally Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section D,
published as C 240-50 T. Last previous edition C 240-91. 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.
2 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06. Available from Director of Regulatory Standards, US Atomic Energy Commis-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.04. sion, Washington, DC 20545.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
C 240
5.3.2 Significance and Use—This test method provides a abrasive surface to produce the required flat surface.
means of measuring the water absorption of cellular glass
5.4.2 The test specimens shall preferably be one half block
insulating blocks under isothermal conditions as a result of
300 by 450 mm (12 by 18 in.) by nominal received thickness.
direct immersion in liquid water. It is intended for use in
Alternates include a quadrant 225 by 300 mm (9 by 12 in.) or
product evaluation and quality control.
a full block 450 by 600 mm (18 by 24 in.) by nominal received
5.3.3 Equipment and Materials:
thickness. A quadrant specimen shall be taken from any one of
5.3.3.1 Balance, with about 1500 g capacity and at least 0.1
four equal area quadrants of the preformed block. The mini-
g sensitivity.
mum acceptable specimen size is 200 by 200 mm (8 by 8 in.).
5.3.3.2 Immersion Tank, equipped with inert specimen sup-
The report shall include the specimen size.
ports and top surface weights such as stainless steel.
5.4.3 Cap both bearing surfaces of the specimens as follows:
5.3.3.3 Synthetic Sponge, at least 100 by 180 by 40 mm (4
Coat one surface with molten Type III or Type IV asphalt
by 7 by 1.5 in.). Sponges found acceptable to use include
(preheated to 177, + 28, − 14°C (350, + 50, − 25°F)), com-
cellulosic sponges and fine-pored absorbent synthetic plastic
pletely filling the surface cells with a small excess. Such a
2 2
sponges.
coating application rate is approximately 1.0 kg/m (0.20 lb/ft )
5.3.3.4 Test Room, with temperature of 21 6 3°C (70 6
6 25%. Immediately press the hot coated block onto a precut
5°F) and relative humidity of 50 6 10 %.
piece of felt or paper laying on a flat surface. This is to prevent
5.3.3.5 Distilled Water.
the asphalt surface from sticking to the compression platten
5.3.4 Procedure:
during the test. A lightweight kraft paper is suitable, although
5.3.4.1 Carefully measure the thickness, width, and length
traditionally a Type 1 roofing felt paper, commonly called a
to the nearest 1 mm of a cellular glass block, preferably 50 by
No. 15 asphalt felt, per Specification D 226 has been used.
300 by 450 mm (2 by 12 by 18 in.) and calculate the volume
NOTE 1—A hot asphalt capping is used to simulate field applied
and exposed surface area.
systems, which require a high load bearing insulation product, ranging
5.3.4.2 Weigh the specimen to the nearest 0.1 g (W ), then
from roof applications to cryogenic storage tank base applications.
submerge it horizontally under 25 mm (1 in.) of water
Uncapped material or different cappings will give different values.
maintained at 21 6 3°C (70 6 5°F). Inert top surface weights
Properly capped surfaces should be approximately plane and
are required to keep it submerged. After submerging it for 2 h,
parallel. Set the specimens on edge, exposing both capped
set the specimen on end on a damp cotton bath towel to drain
surfaces to room temperature for a minimum of 15 min to
for 10 min. After the 10 min, remove the excess surface water
allow the asphalt to harden before testing.
by hand with a damp sponge for 1 min per large face and 1 min
5.4.4 The number of specimens to be tested and the sam-
for the four sides. Wring out the sponge before and once in
pling plan shall conform to Criteria C 390 where applicable.
between for each face and pass at least two times on each
For the purpose of inspection by user’s representative or
surface. Blot each face of the specimen equally by compressing
independent third party, the number of specimens shall con-
the sponge by at least 10 % of its thickness. Weigh the
form to ISO 3951 inspection level S-4, 10.0 % AQL using the
specimen immediately (W ) to the nearest 0.1 g.
S method.
5.3.5 Calculation of Results—Calculate the weight of water
5.4.5 Compress the specimen until failure. The deformation
absorbed (W − W ) and express it as a function of the exterior
2 1
at failure will vary, depending on the thickness of insulation
surface of the sample (g/cm ). Water absorption can also be
and the thickness of the capping mat
...