ASTM C1136-16

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 0.10 perm 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2016
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.33 - Insulation Finishes and Moisture

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1136-12 - Standard Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Replaced By: ASTM C1136-17 - Standard Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-May-2017
• Referred By: ASTM C1258-21a - Standard Test Method for Elevated Temperature and Humidity Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C755-20 - Standard Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1484-10(2018) - Standard Specification for Vacuum Insulation Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C612-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1263-95(2021) - Standard Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water Vapor Retarders
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1290-16(2021) - Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass Blanket Insulation Used to Externally Insulate HVAC Ducts
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1393-19 - Standard Specification for Perpendicularly Oriented Mineral Fiber Roll and Sheet Thermal Insulation for Pipes and Tanks
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1423-21 - Standard Guide for Selecting Jacketing Materials for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C991-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass Insulation for Metal Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F3319-20 - Standard Specification for Selection and Application of Field-Installed Cryogenic Pipe and Equipment Insulation Systems on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-Fueled Ships
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C592-22a - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Insulation and Blanket-Type Pipe Insulation (Metal-Mesh Covered) (Industrial Type)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C553-13(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016

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:C1136 −16
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.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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope C755Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for
Thermal Insulation
1.1 This specification covers vapor retarders for thermal
D774/D774MTest Method for Bursting Strength of Paper
insulation, specifically, flexible materials with permeance of
3
(Withdrawn 2010)
0.10 perm or lower and surface burning characteristics of 25
C1258Test Method for ElevatedTemperature and Humidity
flame spread/50 smoke or lower. These materials are intended
Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation
for use at surface temperatures of−20 to 150°F (−29 to 66°C).
C1263Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water
It does not cover mastics or barrier coatings applied in liquid
Vapor Retarders
form, nor materials intended for use as weather barriers.
C1338Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of
1.2 This is a material specification and does not imply that
Insulation Materials and Facings
an installed system using these materials will provide the
D828Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and
physical properties specified in Section 6.
PaperboardUsingConstant-Rate-of-ElongationApparatus
3
1.3 This specification provides physical requirements for (Withdrawn 2009)
D882Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
vapor retarders. Practice C755 provides assistance in solving
problems related to moisture vapor transmission through ther- Sheeting
D1204Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
mal insulation materials.
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
1.4 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
Temperature
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
D3285Test Method for Water Absorptiveness of Nonbibu-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
lous Paper and Paperboard (Cobb Test) (Withdrawn
and are not considered standard.
3
2010)
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
methods portion only, Section 10, of this specification: This
Building Materials
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
E96/E96MTest Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
Materials
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
2.2 TAPPI Standards:
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
T461Flame Resistance of Treated Paper and Paperboard
tions prior to use.
3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents
3.1 Definitions—Definitions in Terminology C168 apply to
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
terms used in this specification.
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
4. Classification
4.1 Classification of vapor retarders, with the exception of
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
Type IX, is based on physical properties.
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on
Insulation Finishes and Moisture. 4.1.1 Type IX, in addition to physical property
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2016. Published November 2016. Originally
requirements, has specific structural requirements.
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as C1136–12. DOI:
10.1520/C1136-16. 4.2 Physical property requirements are listed in Table 1.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1136−16
A
TABLE 1 Physical Property Requirements
Physical Properties Type I Type II Type III Type IV Type VII Type VIII Type IX Type X
Permeance, max 0.02 (1.15) 0.02 (1.15) 0.10 (5.75) 0.10 (5.75) 0.01 (0.58) 0.02 (1.15) 0.00 (0.00) 0.02 (1.15)
−1 −1 −2
Perms (ng·Pa ·s ·m )
Burst Strength, min 55 (380) 35 (240) 55 (380) 35 (240) 70 (483) 60 (414) 80 (552) 75 (518)
psi (kPa)
Tensile, Machine Direction 45 (7.9) 30 (5.3) 45 (7.9) 30 (5.3) 11 (1.9) 8 (1.4) 25 (4.4) 60 (10.5)
lb/in. width, min (N/mm width,
...

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 − 12 C1136 − 16
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 0.10 perm
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 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
C755 Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
3
D774/D774M Test Method for Bursting Strength of Paper (Withdrawn 2010)
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
D828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-Elongation Apparatus (Withdrawn
3
2009)
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 Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
2.2 TAPPI Standards:
T461 Flame Resistance of Treated Paper and Paperboard
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 Sept. 1, 2012Nov. 1, 2016. Published January 2013November 2016. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20102012
as C1136C1136 – 12.–10. DOI: 10.1520/C1136-12. 10.1520/C1136-16.
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 − 16
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions in Terminology C168 apply to terms used in this specification.
4. Classification
4.1 Classification of vapor retarders, with the exception of Type IX, is based on physical properties.
4.1.1 Type IX, in addition to physical property requirements, has specific structural requirements.
4.2 Physical property requirements are listed in Table 1.
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 Vapor retarders, with the exception of Type IX, are constructed of various films, metallic f
...