Standard Practice for Evaluating Thermal Insulation Materials for Use in Solar Collectors

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1.1 This practice sets forth a testing methodology for evaluating the properties of thermal insulation materials to be used in solar collectors with concentration ratios of less than 10. Tests are given herein to evaluate the pH, surface burning characteristics, moisture adsorption, water absorption, thermal resistance, linear shrinkage (or expansion), hot surface performance, and accelerated aging. This practice provides a test for surface burning characteristics but does not provide a methodology for determining combustibility performance of thermal insulation materials.  
1.2 The tests shall apply to blanket, rigid board, loose-fill, and foam thermal insulation materials used in solar collectors. Other thermal insulation materials shall be tested in accordance with the provisions set forth herein and should not be excluded from consideration.  
1.3 The assumption is made that elevated temperature, moisture, and applied stresses are the primary factors contributing to the degradation of thermal insulation materials used in solar collectors.  
1.4 Solar radiation is not considered a contributing factor since insulating materials are not normally exposed to it.
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.

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Publication Date
14-Jul-1994
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ASTM E861-94(2001) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Thermal Insulation Materials for Use in Solar Collectors
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E861–94 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Thermal Insulation Materials for Use in Solar
Collectors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 861; 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 ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
1.1 This practice sets forth a testing methodology for
C 209 Test Methods for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board
evaluating the properties of thermal insulation materials to be
C 356 Test Method for Linear Shrinkage of Preformed
used in solar collectors with concentration ratios of less than
High-Temperature Thermal Insulation Subjected to Soak-
10. Tests are given herein to evaluate the pH, surface burning
ing Heat
characteristics, moisture adsorption, water absorption, thermal
C 411 Test Method for Hot-Surface Performance of High-
resistance, linear shrinkage (or expansion), hot surface perfor-
Temperature Thermal Insulation
mance, and accelerated aging. This practice provides a test for
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
surface burning characteristics but does not provide a method-
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
ology for determining combustibility performance of thermal
C 553 Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal
insulation materials.
Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications
1.2 The tests shall apply to blanket, rigid board, loose-fill,
C 687 Practice for Determination of theThermal Resistance
and foam thermal insulation materials used in solar collectors.
of Loose-Fill Building Insulation
Otherthermalinsulationmaterialsshallbetestedinaccordance
D 2842 Test Method forWaterAbsorption of Rigid Cellular
with the provisions set forth herein and should not be excluded
Plastics
from consideration.
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.3 The assumption is made that elevated temperature,
Building Materials
moisture, and applied stresses are the primary factors contrib-
uting to the degradation of thermal insulation materials used in
3. Summary of Practice
solar collectors.
3.1 The following factors, in most cases, should be consid-
1.4 Solar radiation is not considered a contributing factor
ered when evaluating insulation materials for use in solar
since insulating materials are not normally exposed to it.
collectors. Design considerations should dictate priorities in
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
material test evaluations:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Factor Reference
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Section
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pH 7.2
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Surface Burning Characteristics 7.3
Moisture Adsorption 7.4
Water Absorption 7.5
2. Referenced Documents
Thermal Resistance 7.6
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Linear Shrinkage (or Expansion) 7.7
Hot Surface Performance 7.8
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
Chemical Compatibility 7.9
Outgassing 7.10
Durability 7.11
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.05 on Solar Heating and Cooling Subsystems
and Systems. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
Current edition approved July 15, 1994. Published September 1994. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
published as E 861 – 82. Last previous edition E 861 – 82 (1988). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E861
4. Significance and Use 7.4 Moisture Adsorption—Determine the moisture adsorp-
tion of the insulation material in accordance with Specification
4.1 The exposure conditions in solar collectors, especially
C 553. Express the quantity of moisture (water) adsorbed by
under stagnation conditions, may degrade the performance of
the insulation material as a percentage by mass and by volume.
thermal insulation materials. This practice sets forth a meth-
7.5 Water Absorption— Determine the water absorption of
odology for evaluating the degree of degradation, if any, of the
the insulation material in accordance with Methods C 209 or
thermal insulation materials after exposure to simulated in-
Test Method D 2842 as applicable. Express the quantity of
service conditions.
water absorbed by the insulation material as a percentage by
4.2 This practice is also intended to aid in the assessment of
mass and by volume.
long-term performance by comparative testing of insulation
7.6 Thermal Resistance—Determine the thermal resistance
materials. However, correlations between performance under
of the insulation material in accordance with Test Methods
laboratory and actual in-service conditions have not been
C 518, C 177, or Practice C 687, as applicable.
established.
7.7 Linear Shrinkage— Determine the linear shrinkage (or
4.3 This practice also sets forth criteria that shall be con-
expansion) of the insulation material in accordance with Test
sidered in the selection and specification of thermal insulation
Method C 356, at the expected maximum in-service tempera-
materials. One such criterion is surface burning characteristics
ture, including stagnation conditions.
(Test Method E 84), which is used by many code officials as a
reference. This practice does not represent that the numerical
NOTE 1—Maximum in-service temperatures, including stagnation con-
values obtained in any way reflect the anticipated performance
ditions must be determined by testing the solar collector design under
of the thermal insulation under actual fire conditions. consideration.
7.8 Hot Surface Performance—Determine the hot surface
5. Sampling and Test Specimens
performance in accordance with Test Method C 411. Test
5.1 Representative specimens shall be selected at random
materials at the expected maximum in-service temperature,
from the original sample lot for each test condition.
including stagnation conditions. See Note 1.
5.2 At least three representative specimens shall be mea-
7.9 Chemical Compatibility with Adjoining Material:
sured for each property tested unless otherwise stipulated in a
7.9.1 Cut samples of adjoining materials to be evaluated to
particular test.
100 by 40 mm (3.7 by 1.5 in.) from stock materials and wash
5.3 The size and shape of the representative specimens shall
thoroughly with cr grade isopropyl alcohol. After drying
be as specified in the property measurement test.
overnight in a desiccator, weigh the samples to at least f
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