ASTM E96/E96M-10
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The purpose of these tests is to obtain, by means of simple apparatus, reliable values of water vapor transfer through permeable and semipermeable materials, expressed in suitable units. These values are for use in design, manufacture, and marketing. A permeance value obtained under one set of test conditions may not indicate the value under a different set of conditions. For this reason, the test conditions should be selected that most closely approach the conditions of use. While any set of conditions may be used and those conditions reported, standard conditions that have been useful are shown in Appendix X1.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water vapor transmission (WVT) of materials through which the passage of water vapor may be of importance, such as paper, plastic films, other sheet materials, fiberboards, gypsum and plaster products, wood products, and plastics. The test methods are limited to specimens not over 1¼ in. (32 mm) in thickness except as provided in Section 9. Two basic methods, the Desiccant Method and the Water Method, are provided for the measurement of permeance, and two variations include service conditions with one side wetted and service conditions with low humidity on one side and high humidity on the other. Agreement should not be expected between results obtained by different methods. The method should be selected that more nearly approaches the conditions of use.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. However, derived results can be converted from one system to the other using appropriate conversion factors (see Table 1).
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E96/E96M − 10
StandardTest Methods for
1
Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E96/E96M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 D449Specification for Asphalt Used in Dampproofing and
Waterproofing
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water
D2301Specification for Vinyl Chloride Plastic Pressure-
vapor transmission (WVT) of materials through which the
Sensitive Electrical Insulating Tape
passage of water vapor may be of importance, such as paper,
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
plastic films, other sheet materials, fiberboards, gypsum and
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
plasterproducts,woodproducts,andplastics.Thetestmethods
1
are limited to specimens not over 1 ⁄4 in. (32 mm) in thickness
3. Terminology
except as provided in Section 9. Two basic methods, the
Desiccant Method and the Water Method, are provided for the
3.1 Definitions of terms used in this standard will be found
measurementofpermeance,andtwovariationsincludeservice
in Terminology C168, from which the following is quoted:
conditions with one side wetted and service conditions with
“water vapor permeability—the time rate of water vapor
low humidity on one side and high humidity on the other.
transmissionthroughunitareaofflatmaterialofunitthickness
Agreementshouldnotbeexpectedbetweenresultsobtainedby
inducedbyunitvaporpressuredifferencebetweentwospecific
different methods. The method should be selected that more
surfaces, under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
nearly approaches the conditions of use.
Discussion—Permeabilityisapropertyofamaterial,butthe
permeability of a body that performs like a material may be
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
used. Permeability is the arithmetic product of permeance and
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
thickness.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining water vapor permeance—the time rate of water vapor
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance transmission through unit area of flat material or construction
with the standard. However, derived results can be converted
inducedbyunitvaporpressuredifferencebetweentwospecific
from one system to the other using appropriate conversion surfaces, under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
factors (see Table 1).
Discussion—Permeanceisaperformanceevaluationandnot
a property of a material.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 water vapor transmission rate—the steady water vapor
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
flowinunittimethroughunitareaofabody,normaltospecific
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
parallel surfaces, under specific conditions of temperature and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
humidity at each surface.”
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Methods
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 In the Desiccant Method the test specimen is sealed to
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
the open mouth of a test dish containing a desiccant, and the
assembly placed in a controlled atmosphere. Periodic weigh-
ings determine the rate of water vapor movement through the
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
specimen into the desiccant.
Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on
Insulation Finishes and Moisture.
4.2 In the Water Method, the dish contains distilled water,
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010. Published February 2011. Originally
ε1
and the weighings determine the rate of vapor movement
approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E96–00 . DOI:
10.1520/E0096_E0096M-10.
through the specimen from the water to the controlled atmo-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
sphere.The vapor pressure difference is nominally the same in
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
both methods except in the variation, with extremes of humid-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. ity on opposite sides.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
-------------------
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E96/E96M–05 Designation:E96/E96M–10
Standard Test Methods for
1
Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E96/E96M; 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
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water vapor transmission (WVT) of materials through which the passage of
water vapor may be of importance, such as paper, plastic films, other sheet materials, fiberboards, gypsum and plaster products,
1
wood products, and plastics. The test methods are limited to specimens not over 1 ⁄4 in. (32 mm) in thickness except as provided
in Section 9. Two basic methods, the Desiccant Method and the Water Method, are provided for the measurement of permeance,
and two variations include service conditions with one side wetted and service conditions with low humidity on one side and high
humidity on the other. Agreement should not be expected between results obtained by different methods. The method should be
selected that more nearly approaches the conditions of use.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as the standard. Within the text, the
SI units are shown in parentheses. The values stated in each system aremay not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system
mustshall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems willmay result in non-conformance with
the standard. However, derived results can be converted from one system to the other using appropriate conversion factors (see
Table 1).
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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
D449 Specification for Asphalt Used in Dampproofing and Waterproofing
D2301 Specification for Vinyl Chloride Plastic Pressure-Sensitive Electrical Insulating Tape
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of terms used in this standard will be found in Terminology C168, from which the following is quoted:
“watervaporpermeability—thetimerateofwatervaportransmissionthroughunitareaofflatmaterialofunitthicknessinduced
by unit vapor pressure difference between two specific surfaces, under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
3.1.1 Discussion—Permeability is a property of a material, but the permeability of a body that performs like a material may be
used. Permeability is the arithmetic product of permeance and thickness.
water vapor permeance—the time rate of water vapor transmission through unit area of flat material or construction induced by
unit vapor pressure difference between two specific surfaces, under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
3.1.2 Discussion—Permeance is a performance evaluation and not a property of a material.
3.2 water vapor transmission rate—the steady water vapor flow in unit time through unit area of a body, normal to specific
parallel surfaces, under specific conditions of temperature and humidity at each surface.”
4. Summary of Test Methods
4.1 IntheDesiccantMethodthetestspecimenissealedtotheopenmouthofatestdishcontainingadesiccant,andtheassembly
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Thermal
Insulation Finishes and Vapor Transmission. Moisture.
Current edition approved MayOct. 1, 2005.2010. Published June 2005.February 2011. Originally approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E96 – 00
´1. DOI: 10.1520/E0096_E0096M-05. DOI: 10.1520/E0096_E0096M-10.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book ofASTM 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 S
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.