ASTM C578-03b

Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties, and dimensions of cellular polystyrene intended for use as thermal insulation for temperatures from −65 to +165°F (−53.9 to +73.9°C).
1.1.1 For Type XIII only, this specification covers the physical properties, and dimensions of cellular polystyrene intended for use as thermal insulation for temperatures from −297 to +165°F (−183 to +73.9°C).
1.2 Consult the manufacturer for specific recommendations and properties in cryogenic conditions.
1.2.1 This specification does not cover cryogenic properties except for the k-factors for Type XIII in Appendix X1. For Type XIII in specific cryogenic applications, the manufacturer and purchaser shall agree upon the actual temperature limits and physical property requirements in addition to the k-factors in Appendix X-1.
1.3 The use of thermal insulation materials covered by this specification may be regulated by building codes that address fire performance. For some end uses, specifiers should also address the effect of moisture. Guidelines regarding these end use considerations are included in Appendix X1.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.
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: 31-Oct-2003
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.22 - Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C578-03a - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM C578-04 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D5635/D5635M-18(2022) - Standard Test Method for Dynamic Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C981-20 - Standard Guide for Design of Built-Up Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing Systems for Building Decks
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1696-20 - Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7793-21 - Standard Specification for Insulated Vinyl Siding
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E3127-22 - Standard Guide for Specifying Water Vapor Transmission Material Properties of Water-Resistive Barriers and Air Barriers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E2634-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1303/C1303M-22 - Standard Test Method for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Resistance of Closed-Cell Foam Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C898/C898M-09(2017) - Standard Guide for Use of High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane with Separate Wearing Course
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1774-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1918-21 - Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulation Materials after Immersion and Exposure to Drying Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5113-97(2021) - Standard Test Method for Determining Adhesive Attack on Rigid Cellular Foam
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5602/D5602M-18(2022) - Standard Test Method for Static Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1558-19 - Standard Guide for Development of Standard Data Records for Computerization of Thermal Transmission Test Data for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003

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: C 578 – 03b
Standard Specification for
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Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 578; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2 3
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
and dimensions of cellular polystyrene intended for use as C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
thermal insulation for temperatures from −65 to +165°F (−53.9 of Thermal Insulations
to +73.9°C). C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
1.1.1 For Type XIII only, this specification covers the C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
physical properties, and dimensions of cellular polystyrene ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
intended for use as thermal insulation for temperatures from the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
−297 to +165°F (−183 to +73.9°C). C 203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural
1.2 Consult the manufacturer for specific recommendations Properties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
and properties in cryogenic conditions. C 272 Test Method for Water Absorption of Core Materials
1.2.1 This specification does not cover cryogenic properties for Structural Sandwich Constructions
except for the k-factors for Type XIII in Appendix X1. For C 303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
Type XIII in specific cryogenic applications, the manufacturer formed Block- and Broad-Type Thermal Insulation
and purchaser shall agree upon the actual temperature limits C 335 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Proper-
and physical property requirements in addition to the k-factors ties of Horizontal Pipe
in Appendix X1. C 390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Preformed
1.3 The use of thermal insulation materials covered by this Thermal Insulation Lots
specification may be regulated by building codes that address C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
fire performance. For some end uses, specifiers should also Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
address the effect of moisture. Guidelines regarding these end C 550 Test Method for Measuring Trueness and Squareness
use considerations are included in Appendix X1. of Rigid Block and Board Thermal Insulation
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded C 870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma-
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided terials
for information only. C 1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the Properties Under Steady-State Conditions
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the C 1058 Practice for Selecting Temperatures for Evaluating
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- and Reporting Thermal Properties of Thermal Insulation
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- C 1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
C 1303 Test Method for Estimating the Long-Term Change
in the Thermal Resistance of Unfaced Rigid Closed Cell
Plastic Foams by Slicing and Scaling Under Controlled
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
Laboratory Conditions
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C 16.22 on
C 1363 Test Method for the Thermal Performance of Build-
Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations.
ing Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2003. Published November 2003. Originally
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C 578 – 03a.
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This specification is similar to ISO 4898-1984, “Cellular Plastics—
Specification for Rigid Cellular Materials Used in the Thermal Insulation of
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Buildings,” in title only. The scope and technical content are significantly different.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ISO standards are available from ANSI, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
10036.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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