ASTM C1101/C1101M-23

Standard Test Methods for Classifying the Flexibility or Rigidity of Mineral Fiber Blanket and Board Insulation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Classification of insulation relative to flexibility or rigidity is useful in establishing installation and application characteristics.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for the classification of mineral fiber insulation as flexible, resilient flexible, semirigid, or rigid.  
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.  
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: 31-Aug-2023
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.32 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1101/C1101M-06(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Classifying the Flexibility or Rigidity of Mineral Fiber Blanket and Board Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Refers: ASTM C168-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C168-22 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2022
• Referred By: ASTM C1728-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible Aerogel Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C612-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C892-19 - Standard Specification for High-Temperature Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C553-13(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023

Overview

ASTM C1101/C1101M-23: Standard Test Methods for Classifying the Flexibility or Rigidity of Mineral Fiber Blanket and Board Insulation provides essential procedures for the classification of mineral fiber insulation materials. Developed by ASTM International, this standard assists manufacturers, engineers, and installers in determining whether insulation products should be categorized as flexible, resilient flexible, semirigid, or rigid. Proper classification is critical for selection, application, and installation in a variety of construction and industrial settings where mineral fiber insulation is used for thermal control and energy efficiency.

Key Topics

• Classification Criteria: The standard outlines methods to assess and formally classify mineral fiber insulation as either flexible, resilient flexible, semirigid, or rigid, depending on their physical response to specific test methods.
• Test Methods: Detailed procedures are provided for performing flexibility and rigidity tests. These include the bending test for flexibility, evaluation of spring-back for resilient flexibility, and measurement of material sag to determine semirigidity or rigidity.
• Unit Systems: The standard recognizes both SI and inch-pound units, with the requirement that only one system be used per application to ensure consistency and standard compliance.
• Sampling Procedures: Instructions specify how to extract representative test specimens from insulation packages for accurate evaluation.
• Safety Considerations: Users are reminded that safety and regulatory practices must be established independently, as the standard does not address all possible safety concerns.

Applications

ASTM C1101/C1101M-23 is widely used in various industries to ensure that mineral fiber insulation meets the required flexibility or rigidity specifications for specific applications. Key applications include:

• Building and Construction: Assists architects, contractors, and specifiers in selecting appropriate insulation materials that match the mechanical properties needed for walls, roofs, HVAC ductwork, and pipe insulation.
• Industrial Insulation: Used to verify that insulation products can withstand physical demands in power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities.
• Product Development and Quality Control: Enables manufacturers to certify their products according to recognized classification criteria, ensuring reliability and compliance with industry standards.
• Specification and Procurement: Helps procurement teams and engineers specify insulation types that fit project requirements, facilitating consistent installation and performance.

Related Standards

For comprehensive evaluation and application of mineral fiber insulation, consider these related ASTM standards:

• ASTM C168: Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation - Provides essential terminology and definitions referenced in ASTM C1101/C1101M-23.
• ASTM C553: Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications.
• ASTM C665: Standard Specification for Mineral-Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Light Frame Construction and Manufactured Housing.
• ISO and International Standards: ASTM C1101/C1101M-23 adheres to internationally recognized principles, supporting global harmonization in insulation classification.

By following ASTM C1101/C1101M-23, stakeholders can ensure that mineral fiber blanket and board insulations are correctly classified for flexibility or rigidity. This supports informed decisions in design, installation, and maintenance, and helps achieve optimal thermal insulation performance across a range of building and industrial environments.

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: C1101/C1101M − 23
Standard Test Methods for
Classifying the Flexibility or Rigidity of Mineral Fiber
Blanket and Board Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1101/C1101M; 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 4. Significance and Use
4.1 Classification of insulation relative to flexibility or
1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for the classi-
rigidity is useful in establishing installation and application
fication of mineral fiber insulation as flexible, resilient flexible,
characteristics.
semirigid, or rigid.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
5. Apparatus
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
5.1 Iron Pipe, ⁄2-in. NPS (outside diameter 0.840 in. [21.3
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
mm]) measuring at least 12 in. [305 mm] in length.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
5.2 Rigidity Tester, consisting of two horizontal, parallel,
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
⁄2-in. NPS iron pipe supports (outside diameter 0.840 in. [21.3
with the standard.
mm]). Both at least 24 in. [610 mm] long and each horizontally
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
spaced 30 in. [762 mm] apart.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
6. Sampling
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
6.1 A test sample shall consist of one representative package
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of insulation. One test specimen measuring 12 in. by 12 in.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
[305 by 305 mm] and of full thickness shall be randomly cut
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
from the sample for flexibility testing. If the rigidity portion of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the procedure is to be performed, a test specimen measuring 32
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
in. [813 mm] long, and between 6 and 24 in. [152 and 610 mm]
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
wide, and of full thickness shall be randomly cut from the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sample.
2. Referenced Documents
7. Procedure
7.1 Test for Flexibility—Bend the 12 by 12-in. [305 by
2.1 ASTM Standards:
305-mm] piece of insulation over the ⁄2 in. NPS iron pipe
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
through an angle of 90° and examine the outer surface for
visible rupture.
3. Terminology
7.2 Test for Resilient Flexibility—If no rupture occurs after
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 shall be considered as
undergoing the 90° bending in 7.1, release the bent insulation.
applying to the terms used in these test methods.
7.3 If the insulation is not classified as flexible or resilient
flexible, it shall be tested in accordance with 7.4 to determine
the degree of rigidity.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on
7.4 Test for Semirigidity and Rigidity—Place the 32 in. [813
Mechanical Properties.
mm] long piece of i
...

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: C1101/C1101M − 06 (Reapproved 2017) C1101/C1101M − 23
Standard Test Methods for
Classifying the Flexibility or Rigidity of Mineral Fiber
Blanket and Board Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1101/C1101M; 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 These test methods cover the procedures for the classification of mineral fiber insulation as flexible, resilient flexible,
semirigid, or rigid.
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.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 shall be considered as applying to the terms used in these test methods.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Classification of insulation relative to flexibility or rigidity is useful in establishing installation and application characteristics.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Iron Pipe, ⁄2-in. NPS (outside diameter 0.840 in. [21.3 mm]) measuring at least 12 in. [305 mm] in length.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical
Properties.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2023. Published December 2017October 2023. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 20122017
as C1101/C1101M – 06 (2012).(2017). DOI: 10.1520/C1101_C1101M-06R17.10.1520/C1101_C1101M-23.
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.
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C1101/C1101M − 23
5.2 Rigidity Tester, consisting of two horizontal, parallel, ⁄2-in. NPS iron pipe supports (outside diameter 0.840 in. [21.3 mm])
mm]). Both at least 24 in. [610 mm] long and each horizontally spaced 30 in. [762 mm] apart and horizontally to each other.apart.
6. Sampling
6.1 A test sample shall consist of one representative package of insulation. One test specimen measuring 12 in. by 12 in. [305 by
305 mm] and of full thickness shall be randomly cut from the sample for flexibility testing. If the rigidity portion of the procedure
is to be performed, a test specimen
...