ASTM C520-04

Standard Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Method A will be used primarily as a manufacturing quality control and field test method without the need for conditioning. For more accurate research purposes, conditioning shall be specified.
Method B will be used, when specified, to determine the density at which insulation properties such as thermal resistance and placement coverage are to be determined.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods are applicable to granular loose fill insulation materials such as vermiculite and perlite. They may be used for other insulation materials with similar flow and settling properties.
1.2 Method A will be used to determine bulk density.
1.3 Method B will be used to determine design density and, with Method A, can be used to calculate percent loss of volume due to settling.
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-Mar-2004
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.32 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C520-98 - Standard Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Replaced By: ASTM C520-04(2010) - Standard Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C549-18 - Standard Specification for Perlite Loose Fill Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM C1373/C1373M-11(2017) - Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Attic Insulation Systems Under Simulated Winter Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM C1774-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM C1374-18(2023) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Installed Thickness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM C516-19 - Standard Specification for Vermiculite Loose Fill Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004

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:C520–04
Standard Test Methods for
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Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C520; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.2.2 design density—the density of the conditioned granu-
lar material, determined in accordance with Method B. The
1.1 These test methods are applicable to granular loose fill
normal voids incorporated during the placement and subse-
insulation materials such as vermiculite and perlite. They are
quent procedures are included.
used for other insulation materials with similar flow and
3.2.3 percent volume loss—the loss in volume between the
settling properties.
as received bulk density and the design density determined by
1.2 Method A shall be used to determine bulk density.
induced settling procedures or specified conditioning, or both,
1.3 Method B shall be used to determine design density
expressed as a percent.
and,withMethodA,isusedtocalculatepercentlossofvolume
due to settling.
4. Significance and Use
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Method A will be used primarily as a manufacturing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
quality control and field test method without the need for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
conditioning. For more accurate research purposes, condition-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ing shall be specified.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 Method B willbeused,whenspecified,todeterminethe
2. Referenced Documents density at which insulation properties such as thermal resis-
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tance and placement coverage are to be determined.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
5. Apparatus
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal
5.1 Bulk Density Container—A lightweight rigid box with
Insulation Lots
interior length, width, and depth of 12.0 6 0.1 in. (3.05 6 3
3. Terminology mm). Scales or balances with an accuracy of at least1%ofthe
specimen weight shall be used.
3.1 The definitions of terms used in this method shall be in
5.2 Design Density Sample Container—The specimen con-
accordance with Terminology C168.
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tainer shall be made of nominal ⁄2 in. thick construction grade
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
plywood and two 48-in. (1220 mm) long sections of, nominal
3.2.1 bulk density—the density of the granular material is
2 by 8-in. lumber. The 2 by 8 sections of wood and plywood
determined in accordance with Method A. No conditioning is
shall be used to provide inside container dimensions of 14. 5 6
required unless specified. The density is determined for the
– 0.1 in. (368 6 –3 mm) by 48 6 0.1 in. (1.22 m 6 0.003 m)
material as received. The voids incorporated during the place-
by 7.5 6 0.1 in. (191 mm 6 3 mm). The inside dimensions of
ment procedure are included.
the specimen container shall be used to calculate the volume of
the container.
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on 5.3 Screed—A suitable piece of wood, metal, or plastic at
Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on
least 20 in. (508 mm) long with a thin straight edge suitable for
Mechanical Properties.
leveling the loose, granular material.
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published May 2004. Originally
5.4 Tapping Hammer and Frame—This shall include a
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as C520 – 98. DOI:
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10.1520/C0520-04.
standard 7 ⁄2-lb (3.4 kg) sledge hammer. The total length of the
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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handle shall be approximately 34 in. (864 mm). A ⁄4-in.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
(6-mm) hole is drilled through the handle to provide a pivot
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
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the ASTM website. point 32 ⁄8 6 ⁄8 in. (816 mm 6 3 mm) from the center line of
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C520–04
the head of the hammer.The tapping hammer shall be mounted insulation shall approximately balance the larger voids in the
in a moveable frame as shown in Fig. 1. surface below the top of the container. Take care not to
5.5 Blowing Machine, Optional—A blowing machine, if compact
...