ASTM C578-01

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). This specification does not cover cryogenic applications. Consult the manufacturer for specific recommendations and properties in cryogenic conditions.
1.2 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.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.4 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: 09-Nov-2001
• 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 C578-00 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM C578-03 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6817/D6817M-17(2021) - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1774-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1696-20 - Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• 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: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D5635/D5635M-18(2022) - Standard Test Method for Dynamic Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1063-23 - Standard Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring to Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based Plaster
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D7793-21 - Standard Specification for Insulated Vinyl Siding
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• 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: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2634-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D7446-09(2017) - Standard Specification for Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Adhesives for Laminating Oriented Strand Board (OSB) to Rigid Cellular Polystryene Thermal Insulation Core Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2568-17a - Standard Specification for PB Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C926-23 - Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1303/C1303M-22 - Standard Test Method for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Resistance of Closed-Cell Foam Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: C 578 – 01
Standard Specification for
1
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.
4
1. Scope for Structural Sandwich Constructions
2
C 303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties,
3
formed Block-Type Thermal Insulation
and dimensions of cellular polystyrene intended for use as
C 390 Criteria for Sampling and Acceptance of Preformed
thermal insulation for temperatures from − 65 to + 165°F
3
Thermal Insulation Lots
(−53.9 to + 73.9°C). This specification does not cover cryo-
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
genic applications. Consult the manufacturer for specific rec-
3
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
ommendations and properties in cryogenic conditions.
C 550 Test Method for Measuring Trueness and Squareness
1.2 The use of thermal insulation materials covered by this
3
of Rigid Block and Board Thermal Insulation
specification may be regulated by building codes that address
C 870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma-
fire performance. For some end uses, specifiers should also
3
terials
address the effect of moisture. Guidelines regarding these end
C 1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission
use considerations are included in Appendix X1.
3
Properties Under Steady-State Conditions
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
C 1058 Practice for Selecting Temperatures for Evaluating
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
3
and Reporting Thermal Properties of Thermal Insulation
for information only.
C 1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3
Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
C 1303 Test Method for Estimating the Long-Term Change
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in the Thermal Resistance of Unfaced Rigid Closed Cell
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Plastic Foams by Slicing and Scaling Under Controlled
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3
Laboratory Conditions
2. Referenced Documents
C 1363 Test Method for the Thermal Performance of Build-
3
ing Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
5
3
Plastics
of Thermal Insulations
3
D 1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
5
Cellular Plastics
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
D 1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
5
3
Plastics
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
D 2126 Test Method for Response of Rigid Cellular Plastics
C 203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural
5
3
to Thermal and Humid Aging
Properties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
D 2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen
C 272 Test Method for Water Absorption of Core Materials
Concentration to Support Candle-like Combustion of Plas-
6
tics (Oxygen Index)
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1
7
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
Building Materials
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C 16.22 on
E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations.
3
rials
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2001. Published January 2002. Originally
7
published as C 578 – 65T. Last previous edition C 578 – 00.
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
2
This specification is similar to ISO 4898-1984, “Cellular Plastics—
Specification for Rigid Cellular Materials Used in the Thermal Insulation of
4
Buildings,” in title only. The scope and technical content are significantly different. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.03.
5
ISO standards are available from ANSI, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th Floor, New York, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
6
NY 10036. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
3 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

-------------
...