ASTM C870-11

Standard Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The conditioning prescribed in this recommended practice is designed to obtain reproducible test results on thermal insulating materials. Results of tests obtained on these materials under uncontrolled atmospheric conditions are not comparable with each other. Some of the physical properties of thermal insulating materials are influenced by relative humidity and temperature in a manner that affects the results of tests. In this regard, such information is provided in pertinent material specifications and test methods by stating the physical properties relative to the specific ambient or test conditions.
Note 1—In some cases (for example, dimensionally unstable materials), the dry mass cannot easily be established and original mass has to be used.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the conditioning of thermal insulating materials for tests. Since prior exposure of insulating materials to high or low humidity will affect the equilibrium moisture content, a procedure is also given for preconditioning the materials.
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.
1.3 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-Mar-2011
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.31 - Chemical and Physical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C870-96(2004) - Standard Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM C870-11(2017) - Standard Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2017
• Referred By: ASTM C1774-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C209-20 - Standard Test Methods for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1763-20 - Standard Test Method for Water Absorption by Immersion of Thermal Insulation Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C764-19 - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C533-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C335/C335M-23 - Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Properties of Pipe Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C203-22 - Standard Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Properties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1363-19 - Standard Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C302-13(2022) - Standard Test Method for Density and Dimensions of Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C303-21 - Standard Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1512-10(2020) - Standard Test Method for Characterizing the Effect of Exposure to Environmental Cycling on Thermal Performance of Insulation Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C578-22 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011

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: C870 − 11
Standard Practice for
1
Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C870; 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.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms in the field of thermal
1.1 This practice covers the conditioning of thermal insu-
insulating materials are given in Terminology C168. The
lating materials for tests. Since prior exposure of insulating
following definitions are derived from Terminology E41:
materials to high or low humidity will affect the equilibrium
3.1.1 moisture content—the moisture present in a material,
moisture content, a procedure is also given for preconditioning
as determined by definite prescribed methods, expressed as a
the materials.
percentage of the mass of the sample on either of the following
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
bases: (1) original mass (see 3.1.1); (2) moisture-free weight
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
(see 3.1.2).
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.1.1.1 Discussion—This is variously referred to as mois-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
ture content, or moisture “as is” or “as received.”
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
3.1.1.2 Discussion—This is also referred to as moisture
with the standard.
regain (frequently contracted to “regain”), or moisture content
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the on the “oven-dry,” “moisture-free,” or “dry” basis.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.2 moisture equilibrium—the condition reached by a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sample when the net difference between the amount of mois-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ture sorbed and the amount desorbed, as shown by a change in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mass, shows no trend and becomes insignificant.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Superficial equilibrium with the film of
2. Referenced Documents
air in contact with the specimen is reached very rapidly. Stable
2 equilibrium can be reached in a reasonable time only if the air
2.1 ASTM Standards:
towhichthesampleisexposedisinmotion.Stableequilibrium
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
with air in motion is considered to be realized when successive
E41 Terminology Relating To Conditioning
weighings do not show a progressive change in mass greater
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
than the tolerances established for the various insulating
Packaging
materials.
E337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psy-
3.1.3 moisture regain—the moisture in a material deter-
chrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Tem-
peratures) mined under prescribed conditions, and expressed as a percent-
3 age of the mass of the moisture-free specimen.
2.2 ISO Standard:
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Moisture regain calculations are com-
ISO 544 Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and/or
monly based on the mass of a specimen that has been dried by
Testing
heating in an oven. If the air in the oven contains moisture, the
oven-dried specimen will contain some moisture even when it
no longer shows a significant change in mass. In order to
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
ensurethatthespecimenismoisture-free,itmustbeexposedto
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.31 on Chemical and
desiccated air until it shows no further significant change in its
Physical Properties.
mass. For drying temperatures above 100°C [212°F], the
Current edition approved April 1, 2011. Published April 2011. Originally
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as C870 – 96 (2004).
moisture content of the oven atmosphere is negligible.
DOI: 10.1520/C0870-11.
3.1.3.2 Discussion—Moisture regain may be calculated
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
frommoisturecontentusingEq1,andmoisturecontentmaybe
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on calculated from moisture regain using Eq 2 as follows:
the ASTM website.
3
C
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
R 5 3100 (1)
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. 100 2 C
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United Sta
...

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:C870–96(Reapproved 2004) Designation: C870 – 11
Standard Practice for
1
Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C870; 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.
1. Scope
1.1This practice covers the conditioning of thermal insulating materials for tests. Since prior exposure of insulating materials
to high or low humidity may affect the equilibrium moisture content, a procedure is also given for preconditioning the materials.
1.2
1.1 This practice covers the conditioning of thermal insulating materials for tests. Since prior exposure of insulating materials
to high or low humidity will affect the equilibrium moisture content, a procedure is also given for preconditioning the materials.
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.
1.3 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
E41 Terminology Relating To Conditioning
E171 Specification for Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
E337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psychrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Temperatures)
3
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 544ISO 544 Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and/or Testing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms in the field of thermal insulating materials are given in Terminology C168. The following
definitions are derived from Terminology E41:
3.1.1 moisture content—the moisture present in a material, as determined by definite prescribed methods, expressed as a
percentage of the mass of the sample on either of the following bases: (1) original mass (see 3.1.1); (2) moisture-free weight (see
3.1.2).
3.1.1.1 Discussion—This is variously referred to as moisture content, or moisture “as is” or “as received.”
3.1.1.2 Discussion—This is also referred to as moisture regain (frequently contracted to “regain”), or moisture content on the
“oven-dry,” “moisture-free,” or “dry” basis.
3.1.2 moisture equilibrium—the condition reached by a sample when the net difference between the amount of moisture sorbed
and the amount desorbed, as shown by a change in mass, shows no trend and becomes insignificant.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Superficial equilibrium with the film of air in contact with the specimen is reached very rapidly. Stable
equilibrium can be reached in a reasonable time only if the air to which the sample is exposed is in motion. Stable equilibrium
with air in motion is considered to be realized when successive weighings do not show a progressive change in mass greater than
the tolerances established for the various insulating materials.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C16 onThermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.31 on Chemical and Physical
Properties.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published November 2004. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C870–77 (2000). DOI:
10.1520/C0870-96R04.
Current edition approved April 1, 2011. Published April 2011. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as C870 – 96 (2004). DOI:
10.1520/C0870-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United St
...