ASTM C165-07(2012)

Standard Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In providing Procedures A and B, it is recognized that different types of thermal insulation will exhibit significantly different behavior under compressive load. Data must usually be obtained from a complete load-deformation curve, and the useful working range normally corresponds to only a portion of the curve. The user is cautioned against use of the product in the range beyond which the product is permanently damaged or properties are adversely affected.  
4.2 Load-deformation curves provide useful data for research and development, quality control, specification acceptance or rejection, and for other special purposes. Standard loading rates shall not be used arbitrarily for all purposes; the effects of impact, creep, fatigue, and repeated cycling must be considered. All load-deformation data shall be reviewed carefully for applicability prior to acceptance for use in engineering designs differing widely in load, load application rate, and material dimensions involved.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for determining the compressive resistance of thermal insulations.  
1.1.1 Procedure A covers thermal insulations having an approximate straight-line portion of a load-deformation curve, with or without an identifiable yield point as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Such behavior is typical of most rigid board or block-type insulations.
FIG. 1 Procedure A—Straight Line Portion with Definite Yield Point
FIG. 2 Procedure A—Straight Line Portion but no Definite Yield Point  
1.1.2 Procedure B covers thermal insulations that become increasingly more stiff as load is increased, as shown in Fig. 3. Such behavior is typical of fibrous batt and blanket insulations that have been compressed previously to at least the same deformation by compression packaging or mechanical softening.
FIG. 3 Procedure B—Increasing Stiffness  
1.2 It is recognized that the classification of materials under Procedures A and B shall not hold in all cases. For example, some batt or blanket materials that have not been compression packaged will exhibit behavior more typical of Procedure A for their first loadings. Also, some higher density fibrous insulation boards that have been precompressed will exhibit load-deformation curves more typical of Procedure B. There will also be thermal insulations with load-deformation curves that follow none of the three types shown here; that is, curves with no straight-line portion, curves with compaction areas, and curves that change from negative to positive slope.  
1.3 This test method does not cover reflective or loose fill insulations.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 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-Aug-2012
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.32 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C165-07 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6817/D6817M-17(2021) - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D7492/D7492M-16a - Standard Guide for Use of Drainage System Media with Waterproofing Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C208-22 - Standard Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C610-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Molded Expanded Perlite Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C578-22 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1685-15(2021) - Standard Specification for Pneumatically Applied High-Temperature Fiber Thermal Insulation for Industrial Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C533-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1728-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible Aerogel Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C209-20 - Standard Test Methods for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1902-22a - Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Insulation Used in Building and Roof Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E1730-19 - Standard Specification for Rigid Foam for Use in Structural Sandwich Panel Cores
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D7425/D7425M-13(2019) - Standard Specification for Spray Polyurethane Foam Used for Roofing Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F3319-20 - Standard Specification for Selection and Application of Field-Installed Cryogenic Pipe and Equipment Insulation Systems on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-Fueled Ships
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1676/C1676M-23 - Standard Specification for Microporous Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012

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: C165 − 07 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Test Method for
1
Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C165; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for determining
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the compressive resistance of thermal insulations.
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or
1.1.1 Procedure A covers thermal insulations having an
Batt Thermal Insulations
approximate straight-line portion of a load-deformation curve,
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
with or without an identifiable yield point as shown in Figs. 1
C240 Test Methods of Testing Cellular Glass Insulation
and 2. Such behavior is typical of most rigid board or
Block
block-type insulations.
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
1.1.2 Procedure B covers thermal insulations that become
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
increasingly more stiff as load is increased, as shown in Fig. 3.
ASTM Test Methods
Such behavior is typical of fibrous batt and blanket insulations
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
that have been compressed previously to at least the same
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
deformation by compression packaging or mechanical soften-
ing.
3. Terminology
1.2 It is recognized that the classification of materials under
3.1 Definitions:
Procedures A and B shall not hold in all cases. For example,
3.1.1 Terminology C168 applies to the terms used in this
some batt or blanket materials that have not been compression
method.
packaged will exhibit behavior more typical of ProcedureAfor
3.2 Additional terms are defined as follows:
theirfirstloadings.Also,somehigherdensityfibrousinsulation
3.3 compressive deformation—the decrease in specimen
boards that have been precompressed will exhibit load-
deformation curves more typical of Procedure B. There will thickness by a compressive load.
also be thermal insulations with load-deformation curves that
3.4 compressive load—the compressive force carried by the
follow none of the three types shown here; that is, curves with
test specimen at any given moment.
no straight-line portion, curves with compaction areas, and
3.5 compressive modulus of elasticity—the ratio of the
curves that change from negative to positive slope.
compressive load per unit of original area to the corresponding
1.3 This test method does not cover reflective or loose fill
deformation per unit of original thickness below the propor-
insulations.
tional limit of a material.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.6 compressive resistance—the compressive load per unit
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
of original area at a specified deformation. For those materials
information only.
where the specified deformation is regarded as indicating the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
start of complete failure, the compressive resistance may
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
properly be called the compressive strength.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.7 proportional limit in compression—the greatest com-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pressive load that a material is capable of sustaining without
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
any deviation from proportionality of load to deformation.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC16onThermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical
2
Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2012. Published November 2012. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as C165 – 07. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0165-07R12. the ASTM website.
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C165 − 07 (2012)
FIG. 3 Procedure B—Increasing Stiffness
FIG. 1 Procedure A—Straight Line Portion with Definite Yield
effects of impact, creep, fatigue, and repeated cycling must be
Point
considered. All load-deform
...