ASTM C687-96
(Practice)Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building Insulation
Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building Insulation
SCOPE
1.1 This practice presents a laboratory guide to determine the thermal resistance of loose-fill building insulations at mean temperatures between -20 and 55°C (-4 to 131°F).
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill thermal insulation products including fibrous glass, rock/slag wool, or cellulosic fiber materials; granular types including vermiculite and perlite; pelletized products; and any other insulation material that may be installed pneumatically or poured in place. It does not apply to products that change their character after installation either by chemical reaction or the application of binders or adhesives, nor does it consider the effects of structures, containments, facings, or air films.
1.3 Since this practice is designed for reproducible product comparison, it measures the thermal resistance of an insulation material which has been preconditioned to a relatively dry state. Consideration of changes of thermal performance of a hygroscopic insulation by sorption of water is beyond the scope of this practice.
1.4 The sample preparation techniques outlined in this practice do not cover the characterization of loose-fill materials intended for enclosed applications. For those applications, a separate sample preparation technique that simulates the installed condition will be required. For those applications, however, other aspects of this practice should be applicable.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 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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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: C 687 – 96
Standard Practice for
Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building
Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 687; 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 C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulating Materi-
als
1.1 This practice presents a laboratory guide to determine
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
the thermal resistance of loose-fill building insulations at mean
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
temperatures between − 20 and 55°C (−4 to 131°F).
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
1.2 This practice applies to a wide variety of loose-fill
C 236 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Performance
thermal insulation products including fibrous glass, rock/slag
of Building Assemblies by Means of a Guarded Hot Box
wool, or cellulosic fiber materials; granular types including
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
vermiculite and perlite; pelletized products; and any other
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
insulation material that may be installed pneumatically or
the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
poured in place. It does not apply to products that change their
C 653 Guide for Determination of the Thermal Resistance
character after installation either by chemical reaction or the
of Low-Density Blanket-Type Mineral Fiber Insulation
application of binders or adhesives, nor does it consider the
C 739 Specification for Cellulosic Fiber (Wood Base)
effects of structures, containments, facings, or air films.
Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation
1.3 Since this practice is designed for reproducible product
C 976 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building
comparison, it measures the thermal resistance of an insulation
Assemblies by Means of a Calibrated Hot Box
material which has been preconditioned to a relatively dry
C 1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission
state. Consideration of changes of thermal performance of a
Properties from Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements
hygroscopic insulation by sorption of water is beyond the
C 1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
scope of this practice.
Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
1.4 The sample preparation techniques outlined in this
practice do not cover the characterization of loose-fill materials
3. Terminology
intended for enclosed applications. For those applications, a
3.1 Unless otherwise stated, the terms and definitions found
separate sample preparation technique that simulates the in-
in Terminology C 168 are applicable herein.
stalled condition will be required. For those applications,
3.2 label density—the expected mass per unit volume, after
however, other aspects of this practice should be applicable.
long-term settlement, of a loose-fill insulation that has been
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
applied per manufacturer’s specifications. This test density will
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
yield the labeled thermal resistance when tested under the
only.
conditions specified by this practice.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 The thermal resistance, R, of an insulation is used to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
describe its thermal performance.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 The thermal resistance of an insulation is related to the
2. Referenced Documents density and thickness of the insulation. It is desirable to obtain
test data on thermal resistances at thicknesses and densities
2.1 ASTM Standards:
related to the end uses of the product.
C 167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket
2 4.3 In normal use, the thickness of these products may range
or Batt Thermal Insulations
from less than 100 mm (4 in.) to greater than 500 mm (20 in.).
Installed densities will depend upon the product type, the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-16 on Thermal
installed thickness, the installation equipment used, the instal-
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.30 on Thermal
lation techniques, and the geometry of the insulated space.
Measurement.
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published June 1996. Originally
4.4 Loose-fill insulations are specified using label densities
published as C 687 – 71. Last previous edition C 687 – 95.
selected by manufacturers to represent the product settled
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
C 687
densities. Generally, it is necessary to know the product 5. Apparatus
thermal performance at a representative label density. Some
5.1 Thermal test apparatus used for this practice shall meet
bag labels utilize multiple label densities to reflect the fact that
these requirements.
greater thickness installations usually result in higher installed
5.1.1 Conformance to Standards—The apparatus shall con-
densities. The use of multiple label densities can be detected
form to all requirements of the ASTM thermal test method
from the bag label by calculating the label density for several
used.
different R-value levels. (The label densities for a given
5.1.2 Size and Error—The apparatus shall be capable of
R-value can be calculated from the bag label by dividing the
testing specimens up to at least 150-mm (6-in.) thickness with
minimum mass per unit area by the minimum thickness.) If the
an estimated error not greater than 1 % attributed to thickness/
calculated densities are significantly different, the multiple
guard dimensions. (Parametric studies using a mathematical
label density strategy has been used.
model of the proposed apparatus will give insight to this
4.5 When applicable specifications or codes do not specify
evaluation. For example see Table 1 in the 1976 revision of
the nominal R-value level to be used for comparison purposes,
Test Method C 518. )
a recommended practice is to use the R-19 label density and
thickness for that measurement. [R (metric) − 3.3 m K/W]. NOTE 1—Thermal test apparatus in use for this practice have overall
plate dimensions of 457 to 1220 mm (18 to 48 in.) square with test areas
4.6 If the density for test purposes is not available from the
152 to 457 mm (6 to 18 in.) square. Other sizes may be acceptable if
bag label, a test density shall be established by use of either
proper consideration of the size-thickness restrictions outlined are ob-
applicable specifications and codes or, if none apply, agreement
served in their design. (See Practice C 1045 for additional discussion.)
between the requesting body and the testing organization.
5.1.3 Temperature—As a minimum, the apparatus must be
4.7 Generally, thin sections of these materials are not
capable of testing at a mean temperature of 23.9°C (75°F) with
uniform. Thus, the representative thickness must be exceeded
a temperature difference of 20 to 28°C (36 to 40°F). The
during the test, if the results are to be consistent and typical of
equipment must be calibrated at the same temperatures as the
use. The representative thickness is specific for each product
test conditions. Existing test apparatus have been designed to
and may be determined by running a series of tests in which the
provide measurements over a range of mean temperatures
density is held constant but the thickness is increased. The
from − 20 to 55°C (−4 to 131°F) and for a wider range of
representative thickness shall be that test thickness above
temperature differences.
which there is no more than a 2 % change in the resistivity of
5.1.4 Humidity—The absolute humidity within the test ap-
the product.
paratus shall be maintained low enough to prevent condensa-
4.7.1 For purposes of this practice, the minimum test
tion within the specimen or on the cold plate(s). A maximum
thickness shall be 100 mm (4 in.) or the representative
9°C (48°F) dew point is consistent with the recommended
thickness whichever is larger. If the test is to represent an
material conditioning levels.
installation at a lesser thickness, that installed thickness should
5.1.5 Orientation and Direction of Heat Flow—The thermal
be used.
test apparatus must be capable of testing horizontal specimens
4.8 Because of the high cost of construction and operation
with heat flow-up in order to include possible internal convec-
of large test equipment, it is often impractical to test at the
tive effects. This orientation represents the most adverse heat
thickness at which products are used. For purposes of this
flow condition for testing between two solid boundaries.
practice, it is acceptable to estimate the thermal resistance at
Additional capability such as testing horizontal specimens with
any thickness from the thermal resistivity obtained from tests
heat flow-down or vertical specimens with heat flow horizon-
on the product at the minimum test thickness (see 4.7.1) and at
tal, or both, may also be desirable. (See 10.1.7 for reporting
the design density expected for the proposed thickness.
requirements.)
4.9 In principle, any of the standard methods for the
5.1.6 Thermal Test Specimen Frame—The test frame shall
determination of thermal resistance are suitable for loose-fill
be sized to match the test apparatus and shall be made of
products. These include Test Methods C 177, C 518, C 236,
materials having low thermal conductivity (<0.12 W/m K) and
C 976, and C 1114. Of these test methods, the heat flow meter
minimum thickness. A thin, thermally insignificant, screen or
apparatus, Test Method C 518, is preferred because of its lower
membrane is stretched across the bottom to support the
cost and shorter testing time.
material. Frames may have fixed rigid sides or fold-down,
4.10 The thermal resistance of low-density insulations may
collapsible, or compressible sides (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
depend on the direction of heat flow. Attic applications will
5.2 Specimen Preparation Equipment:
have heat flow-up during the winter and heat flow-down during
5.2.1 Blowing Machine—A blowing apparatus is required
the summer. If seasonal differences are significant, then tests
when pneumatically applied specimens are to be tested.
should be conducted with heat flow in each direction. Unless
Choose the combination of hopper, blower, and hose size and
otherwise specified, tests shall be performed for the maximum
length that is representative of common use for the application
heat flow condition—a horizontal specimen with heat flow-up.
4.11 Specimens shall be prepared in a manner consistent
with the intended installation procedure. Products for pneu-
matic installation shall be pneumatically applied (blown), and
See Table 1, “Maximum Spacing Between Warm and Cold Plates of Heat
products for pour-in-place installation shall be poured into
Flowmeter Apparatus,” of Test Method C 518 – 76 published in 1985 Annual Book
specimen frames. of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
C 687
NOTE 1—Dimensions to match thermal test apparatus.
FIG. 1 Rigid Test Frame
of the material to be tested. The following machine specifica- m (100 ft) of standard 51-mm (2-in.) diameter hose.
tions have been developed for use with mineral wool and (2) Settled Density Catch Containers—Containers shall be
cellulosic materials. sized to match the test frames and shall be made of plywood or
5.2.1.1 Mineral Fiber Insulations: similar materials. A thin sheet of plywood attached across the
(1) Blowing Machine—A commercial blowing machine bottom supports the insulation. Frames should have fixed sides.
with a design capacity for delivering the subject material at a 5.2.2 Test Area Specimen Cutter—A means for isolating the
rate between 4 and 15 kg (9 to 33 lb)/min. material within the metering area is required for the density
(2) Blowing Hose—The machine should utilize 46 m (150 determination. The isolated region shall have an area and shape
ft) of 76-mm (3-in.) diameter flexible, internally corrugated identical to the metering area. Fig. 3 provides an example of a
blowing hose. At least 30 m (100 ft) of the hose should be die cutter used for this purpose. The use of a compression plate
elevated between 3 and 6 m (10 and 20 ft) above the blowing to compress an area larger than the metering area, prior to
machine to simulate a typical installation configuration. The metering area material removal is recommended. This com-
hose should have no more than eight 90° bends and no bends pression plate should extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) beyond the
may be less than 1.2-m (4-ft) radius. It is good practice to clean metering area boundary.
the hose periodically by mechanically agitating it with the 5.2.3 Weighing Devices—A device is required to weigh the
blower on. This practice should dislodge any pieces of old test area material after the thermal test is complete. This device
insulation that might be caught in the hose. must determine the test area weight to within 0.5 %. A second
5.2.1.2 Cellulosic Insulations: device is required during sample preparation and conditioning
(1) Blowing Machine—Use commercial blowing equipment to determine the sample plus frame weight. This device must
designed for cellulosic material, that is, hopper, blower, and 30 weigh the combined weight to within 0.5 %.
4 5
A Unisul Volumatic II available from Unisul, Winter Haven, FL 33800 is one The Krendl M-200 hopper available from Krendl Machine, 122 Summers Lane,
of many machines meeting this requirement. Delphos, OH 45833 and the #8910 Tornado Blower available from Breuer
Manufacturing Co., 7401 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60656 have been found
suitable for this purpose. Other blower/hopper combinations may also be suitable.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
C 687
FIG. 2 Collap
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