ASTM C520-15

Standard Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 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.  
4.2 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 are used for other insulation materials with similar flow and settling properties.  
1.2 Method A shall be used to determine bulk density.  
1.3 Method B shall be used to determine design density and, with Method A, is used to calculate percent loss of volume due to settling.  
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 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: 30-Sep-2015
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.32 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C520-04(2010) - Standard Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM C520-15(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM C1774-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• 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-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C549-18 - Standard Specification for Perlite Loose Fill Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1374-18(2023) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Installed Thickness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C516-19 - Standard Specification for Vermiculite Loose Fill Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015

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 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
1
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope required unless specified. The density is determined for the
material as received. The voids incorporated during the place-
1.1 These test methods are applicable to granular loose fill
ment procedure are included.
insulation materials such as vermiculite and perlite. They are
3.2.2 design density—the density of the conditioned granu-
used for other insulation materials with similar flow and
lar material, determined in accordance with Method B. The
settling properties.
normal voids incorporated during the placement and subse-
1.2 Method A shall be used to determine bulk density.
quent procedures are included.
1.3 Method B shall be used to determine design density and,
3.2.3 percent volume loss—the loss in volume between the
with MethodA, is used to calculate percent loss of volume due
as received bulk density and the design density determined by
to settling.
induced settling procedures or specified conditioning, or both,
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
expressed as a percent.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
4. Significance and Use
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
4.1 Method A will be used primarily as a manufacturing
quality control and field test method without the need for
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
conditioning. For more accurate research purposes, condition-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ing shall be specified.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 Method B will be used, when specified, to determine the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
density at which insulation properties such as thermal resis-
tance and placement coverage are to be determined.
2. Referenced Documents
2
5. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
5.1 Bulk Density Container—A lightweight rigid box with
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal
interior length, width, and depth of 12.0 6 0.1 in. (3.05 6 3
Insulation Lots
mm). Scales or balances with an accuracy of at least1%ofthe
specimen weight shall be used.
3. Terminology
5.2 Design Density Sample Container—The specimen con-
3.1 The definitions of terms used in this method shall be in
1
tainer shall be made of nominal ⁄2 in. (13 mm) thick construc-
accordance with Terminology C168.
tiongradeplywoodandtwo48-in.(1220mm)longsectionsof,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: nominal 2 by 8-in. (51 by 203 mm) lumber.The 2 by 8 sections
3.2.1 bulk density—the density of the granular material is of wood and plywood shall be used to provide inside container
determined in accordance with Method A. No conditioning is dimensions of 14. 5 6 – 0.1 in. (368 6 –3 mm) by 48 6 0.1
in. (1.22 m 6 0.003 m) by 7.5 6 0.1 in. (191 mm 6 3 mm).
The inside dimensions of the specimen container shall be used
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
to calculate the volume of the container.
Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on
Mechanical Properties.
5.3 Screed—A suitable piece of wood, metal, or plastic at
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published October 2015. Originally
least 20 in. (508 mm) long with a thin straight edge suitable for
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C520 – 04 (2010).
leveling the loose, granular material.
DOI: 10.1520/C0520-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.4 Tapping Hammer and Frame—This shall include a
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
standard 7 ⁄2-lb (3.4 kg) sledge hammer. The total length of the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
the ASTM website. handle shall be approximately 34 in. (864 mm). A ⁄4-in.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C520 − 15
(6-mm) hole is drilled through the handle to provide a pivot segregation of the particle sizes of which the specimen is
1 1
point 32 ⁄8
...

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: C520 − 04 (Reapproved 2010) C520 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
1
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods are applicable to granular loose fill insulation materials such as vermiculite and perlite. They are used
for other insulation materials with similar flow and settling properties.
1.2 Method A shall be used to determine bulk density.
1.3 Method B shall be used to determine design density and, with Method A, is used to calculate percent loss of volume due
to settling.
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 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots
3. Terminology
3.1 The definitions of terms used in this method shall be in accordance with Terminology C168.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 bulk density—the density of the granular material is determined in accordance with Method A. No conditioning is required
unless specified. The density is determined for the material as received. The voids incorporated during the placement procedure
are included.
3.2.2 design density—the density of the conditioned granular material, determined in accordance with Method B. The normal
voids incorporated during the placement and subsequent procedures are included.
3.2.3 percent volume loss—the loss in volume between the as received bulk density and the design density determined by
induced settling procedures or specified conditioning, or both, expressed as a percent.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 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.
4.2 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.
1
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 Nov. 1, 2010Oct. 1, 2015. Published January 2011October 2015. Originally approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 20042010 as
C520 – 04.C520 – 04 (2010). DOI: 10.1520/C0520-04R10.10.1520/C0520-15.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C520 − 15
5. Apparatus
5.1 Bulk Density Container—A lightweight rigid box with interior length, width, and depth of 12.0 6 0.1 in. (3.05 6 3 mm).
Scales or balances with an accuracy of at least 1 % of the specimen weight shall be used.
1
5.2 Design Density Sample Container—The specimen container shall be made of nominal ⁄2 in. (13 mm) thick construction
grade plywood and two 48-in. (1220 mm) long sections of, nominal 2 by 8-in. (51 by 203 mm) lumber. The 2 by 8 sections of
wood and plywood shall be used to provide inside container dimensions of 14. 5 6 – 0.1 in. (368 6 –3 mm) by 48 6 0.1 in. (1.22
m 6 0.003 m) by 7.5 6 0.1 in. (191 mm 6 3 mm). The inside dimensions of the specimen container shall be used to calculate
the volume of the container.
5.3 Screed—A suitable piece of wood, metal, or plastic at least 20 in. (508 mm) long with a thin straight edge
...