ASTM C1136-23

Standard Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation

ABSTRACT
This specification covers vapor retarders for thermal insulation, specifically, flexible materials with permeance and surface burning characteristics. Vapor retarders are classified based on vapor retardance and strength properties: Types I, II, III, IV, V, and VI. The following test methods shall be performed: water vapor permeance; surface burning characteristics; tensile strength; dimensional stability; fungi resistance; thermal integrity of flexible water vapor retarders; burst strength of vapor retarders; permanence of flame retardancy; and elevated temperature and humidity resistance of vapor retarders for insulation.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
9.1 Entrapment of water in thermal insulation caused by condensation of water vapor that has penetrated into the insulation is detrimental to the thermal resistance of the insulation. For this reason, in certain installations where temperature and moisture conditions have the potential to create a vapor driving force toward the insulation, a deterrent to the passage of such vapor into the installed insulation needs to be provided. This is the primary function of the vapor retarder.  
9.2 In addition to the function stated in 9.1, a vapor retarder has the potential to provide physical protection and added strength to the insulation system.  
9.3 This specification is used to specify material by physical property requirements that address the above prerequisites. The designer of an insulation system, after determining the degree of protection needed for the insulation, can use this specification to specify the appropriate type of vapor retarder when one is required.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers vapor retarders for thermal insulation, specifically, flexible materials with permeance of 0.15 perm (8.63 ng·Pa–1 · s–1 · m–2) or lower and surface burning characteristics of 25 flame spread/50 smoke or lower. These materials are intended for use at surface temperatures of −20 to 150°F (−29 to 66°C). It does not cover mastics or barrier coatings applied in liquid form, nor materials intended for use as weather barriers.  
1.2 This is a material specification and does not imply that an installed system using these materials will provide the physical properties specified in Section 6.  
1.3 This specification provides physical requirements for vapor retarders. Practice C755 provides assistance in solving problems related to moisture vapor transmission through thermal insulation materials.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test methods portion only, Section 10, of this specification: 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.  
1.6 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: 28-Feb-2023
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.33 - Insulation Finishes and Moisture

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C755-20 - Standard Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1204-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

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: C1136 − 23
Standard Specification for
Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal
1
Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1136; 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 specification covers vapor retarders for thermal
2.1 ASTM Standards:
insulation, specifically, flexible materials with permeance of
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
–1 –1 –2
0.15 perm (8.63 ng·Pa · s · m ) or lower and surface
C755 Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for
burning characteristics of 25 flame spread/50 smoke or lower.
Thermal Insulation
These materials are intended for use at surface temperatures
D774/D774M Test Method for Bursting Strength of Paper
of −20 to 150°F (−29 to 66°C). It does not cover mastics or 3
(Withdrawn 2010)
barrier coatings applied in liquid form, nor materials intended
C1258 Test Method for Elevated Temperature and Humidity
for use as weather barriers.
Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation
1.2 This is a material specification and does not imply that
C1263 Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water
an installed system using these materials will provide the
Vapor Retarders
physical properties specified in Section 6.
C1338 Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of
Insulation Materials and Facings
1.3 This specification provides physical requirements for
vapor retarders. Practice C755 provides assistance in solving C1878 Test Method for Surface Water Resistance of Vapor
problems related to moisture vapor transmission through ther- Retarders for Thermal Insulation
mal insulation materials. D828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and
Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-Elongation Apparatus
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Sheeting
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
and are not considered standard.
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test
Temperature
methods portion only, Section 10, of this specification: This
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
Building Materials
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
E96/E96M Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.2 TAPPI Standards:
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
T461 Flame Resistance of Treated Paper and Paperboard
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3. Terminology
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions in Terminology C168 apply to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
terms used in this specification.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Insulation Finishes and Moisture. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as C1136 – 21. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/C1136-23. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1136 − 23
4. Classification 6.5 All type vapor retarders shall not sustain growth of fungi
when tested in accordance with 10.5.
4.1 Classification of vapor retarders, with the exception of
Type IX, is based on physical properties.
...

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: C1136 − 21 C1136 − 23
Standard Specification for
Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal
1
Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1136; 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
1.1 This specification covers vapor retarders for thermal insulation, specifically, flexible materials with permeance of 0.15 perm
–1 –1 –2
(8.63 ng·Pa · s · m ) or lower and surface burning characteristics of 25 flame spread/50 smoke or lower. These materials are
intended for use at surface temperatures of −20 to 150°F (−29 to 66°C). It does not cover mastics or barrier coatings applied in
liquid form, nor materials intended for use as weather barriers.
1.2 This is a material specification and does not imply that an installed system using these materials will provide the physical
properties specified in Section 6.
1.3 This specification provides physical requirements for vapor retarders. Practice C755 provides assistance in solving problems
related to moisture vapor transmission through thermal insulation materials.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test methods portion only, Section 10, of this specification: 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.
1.6 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C755 Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
3
D774/D774M Test Method for Bursting Strength of Paper (Withdrawn 2010)
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Insulation Finishes
and Moisture.
Current edition approved March 1, 2021March 1, 2023. Published March 2021March 2023. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20172021 as
C1136 – 17a.C1136 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/C1136-21.10.1520/C1136-23.
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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1136 − 23
C1258 Test Method for Elevated Temperature and Humidity Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation
C1263 Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water Vapor Retarders
C1338 Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of Insulation Materials and Facings
C1878 Test Method for Surface Water Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
D828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-Elongation Apparatus
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
3
D3285 Test Method for Water Absorptiveness of Nonbibulous Paper and Paperboard (Cobb Test) (Withdrawn 2010)
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E96/E96M Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
2.2 TAPPI Standards:
T461 Flame Resistance of Treated Paper and Paperboard
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—
...