ASTM C1512-01
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Characterizing the Effect of Exposure to Environmental Cycling on Thermal Performance of Insulation Products
Standard Test Method for Characterizing the Effect of Exposure to Environmental Cycling on Thermal Performance of Insulation Products
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is applicable to preformed or field manufactured thermal insulation products, such as board stock foams, rigid fibrous and composite materials manufactured with or without protective facings. This test method is not applicable to high temperature, reflective or loose fill insulation.
1.2 This test method involves two stages: preconditioning and environmental cycling. During the first stage, 25 mm (1 in.) thick specimens are used to separate two environments. Each of these environments has a constant but different temperature and humidity level. During the environmental cycling stage, specimens also divide two environments namely constant room temperature/humidity on one side and cycling temperature/ambient relative humidity on the other side.
1.3 This test method measures the ability of the product to maintain thermal performance and critical physical attributes after being subjected to standardized exposure conditions. A comparison is made between material properties for reference specimens stored in the laboratory for the test period and specimens subjected to the two-stage test method. To eliminate the effect of moisture from the comparison, the material properties of the latter test specimens are determined after they have been dried to constant weight. The average value determined for each of the two sets of specimens is used for comparison.
1.4 Different properties can be measured to assess the effect of environmental factors on thermal insulation. This test method requires that thermal resistance be determined based upon an average for three specimens measured after completing the test. Secondary elements of this test method include visual observations such as cracking, delamination or other surface defects, as well as the change in moisture content after each of the two stages of exposure prescribed by the test method.
1.5 Characterization of the tested material is an essential element of this test method. Material properties used for characterization will include either compressive resistance or tensile strength values. The compressive resistance/tensile strength is measured on two sets of specimens, one set conditioned as defined in and a set of reference test specimens taken from the same material batch and stored in the laboratory for the whole test period. For comparison, an average value is determined for each of the two sets of specimens.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard, but the results may also be reported in inch-pound (I-P) units. In this standard I-P units are given in parentheses for information only and may be approximate.
1.7 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 requirements prior to use.
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Designation:C1512–01
Standard Test Method for
Characterizing the Effect of Exposure to Environmental
Cycling on Thermal Performance of Insulation Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1512; 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 1.5 Characterization of the tested material is an essential
element of this test method. Material properties used for
1.1 This test method is applicable to preformed or field
characterization will include either compressive resistance or
manufactured thermal insulation products, such as board stock
tensile strength values. The compressive resistance/tensile
foams, rigid fibrous and composite materials manufactured
strength is measured on two sets of specimens, one set
with or without protective facings. This test method is not
conditioned as defined in 1.2 and a set of reference test
applicable to high temperature, reflective or loose fill insula-
specimens taken from the same material batch and stored in the
tion.
laboratory for the whole test period. For comparison, an
1.2 This test method involves two stages: preconditioning
average value is determined for each of the two sets of
and environmental cycling. During the first stage, 25 mm (1
specimens.
in.) thick specimens are used to separate two environments.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Each of these environments has a constant but different
standard, but the results may also be reported in inch-pound
temperature and humidity level. During the environmental
(I-P) units. In this standard I-P units are given in parentheses
cycling stage, specimens also divide two environments namely
for information only and may be approximate.
constant room temperature/humidity on one side and cycling
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
temperature/ambient relative humidity on the other side.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3 This test method measures the ability of the product to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
maintain thermal performance and critical physical attributes
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
after being subjected to standardized exposure conditions. A
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
comparison is made between material properties for reference
specimens stored in the laboratory for the test period and
2. Referenced Documents
specimens subjected to the two-stage test method. To eliminate
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the effect of moisture from the comparison, the material
C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
properties of the latter test specimens are determined after they
of Thermal Insulations
have been dried to constant weight. The average value deter-
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
mined for each of the two sets of specimens is used for
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
comparison.
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
1.4 Different properties can be measured to assess the effect
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
of environmental factors on thermal insulation. This test
C 303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
method requires that thermal resistance be determined based
formed Block and Board Type Thermal Insulation
upon an average for three specimens measured after complet-
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
ing the test. Secondary elements of this test method include
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
visual observations such as cracking, delamination or other
the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
surface defects, as well as the change in moisture content after
C 870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma-
each of the two stages of exposure prescribed by the test
terials
method.
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D 1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
Cellular Plastics
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C16 onThermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Finishes and
Moisture.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2001. Published February 2002. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
2 4
If the product is manufactured with a facer, test product with facer in place. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C1512
D 1623 Test Method for Tensile and Tensile Adhesion pressure. This test method is not intended to duplicate field
Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics exposure. It is intended to provide comparative ratings. As
excessive accumulation of moisture in a construction system
3. Terminology may adversely affect its performance, the designer should
consider the potential for moisture accumulation and the
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this test method are defined
possible effects of this moisture on the system performance.
in Terminology C 168 with the exceptions included as appro-
priate.
6. Apparatus
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6.1 The room where the apparatus is placed shall be
3.2.1 compressive resistance—the compressive load per
maintained at a temperature and relative humidity of 24 6 3°C
unit of original area at the specified deformation. See Test
(75 6 5°F) and 50 6 10 %.
Method C 165.
6.2 Freeze-Thaw Chamber, capable of maintaining an air
3.2.2 moisture accumulation—an increase in the average
temperature of -15 6 3°C (5 6 5°F) over an extended period
moisture content resulting from a specified exposure to condi-
of time. The design of the apparatus should ensure that the
tions facilitating moisture ingress into the material.
temperature of the upper surface of the sheet metal located
3.2.3 preconditioning—a procedure which subjects test
below the insulation specimen (measured in the center of the
specimens to standardized one directional thermal gradient.
pan) be not higher than -4°C (25°F) when the freezer’s air
3.2.4 thermal performance—comparison of thermal resis-
temperature reaches its lower limit. This can be achieved by
tance of test specimens before and after cycling.
placing thermal insulation between the metal pan and the
specimen frame and/or mixing of air in the cold chamber.
4. Summary of Test Method
6.3 Sheet Metal Pan, placed below the specimens. This pan
4.1 Toreducethetestingperiod,thisprocedureinvolvestwo
performs two functions: it equalizes temperature and reduces
stages:
diffusion of water vapor into the freeze-thaw chamber. The
4.1.1 Stage 1—Preconditioning under constant thermal gra-
distancebetweenthecoldsurfaceofthespecimenandthesheet
dient and relative humidity to accelerate ingress of moisture
metal should be no less than 6 mm ( ⁄4in.) and no more than 12
into the test specimen.
mm ( ⁄2in). The required space is normally maintained by
4.1.2 Stage 2—Exposure to constant temperature and rela-
attaching a support of the required height that is made from
tive humidity on one side of test specimens with cycling
6-mm ( ⁄4in.) thick Plexiglas or other non-absorbing materials
environmental conditions on the other side that include freeze-
on the inside surface of the specimen frame (see Fig. 2).
thaw exposure.
6.4 Frame, that is placed in the door opening of the freezer
(see Figs. 1 and 2) or other means of specimen support. Test
5. Significance and Use
frames used are made from 6 6 0.5 mm thick Plexiglas or
5.1 Exposing a specimen to conditions of one-directional
other non-absorbing material. These frames are used to mount
environmental cycling can increase its moisture content until a
individual test specimens. The selection of the test frame (size
decrease in material properties occurs (at a specific number of
of the test specimen) may vary based upon the thermal testing
cycles). Such a test could be inappropriate due to the number
apparatus that is used.
of cycles required to cause a decrease in material properties
6.5 Warm Chamber, above the test specimens that is pro-
since product performance issues often arise only after many
vided with a heater and a temperature controller capable of
years of exposure. The use of a preconditioning procedure is
maintaining a temperature of 24 6 1°C (75 6 2°F) and a
not intended to duplicate expected field performance. Rather
humidifier capable of maintaining humidity in the warm
the purpose is to increase the moisture content of test materials
chamber of 90 6 5 %RH.
prior to subjecting to them to environmental cycling.
6.6 Sensors, for measuring temperature of the freeze-thaw
5.2 The most important aspect of the preconditioning pro- and warm chambers and relative humidity in the warm
cedure is non-uniform moisture distribution in the specimen.
chamber.
The heat flow is one directional causing moisture flow towards
6.7 Balance, capable of weighing mass of maximum 1 kg
the cold side resulting in zones of dry material on the warm
with precision of 0.01 g.
side and h
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