ASTM E154-99(2005)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth Under Concrete Slabs, on Walls, or as Ground Cover
Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth Under Concrete Slabs, on Walls, or as Ground Cover
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
In service, vapor retarders may be exposed to a variety of conditions, so no one test will provide evaluations related to performance for all exposures (refer to Guide E 241 and C 755). Neither will all test methods listed be necessary in all evaluations for specific exposures (see 16.2).
Limitations—Prior to use and in service, vapor retarders may be exposed to a variety of conditions so no one test will provide evaluations related to performance for all exposures (refer to Guide E 241 and C 755). Neither will all tests be necessary in all evaluations for specific exposures. Consequently, the tests and required test results shall be agreed upon by the purchaser and the supplier (see 16.2).
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the properties of flexible membranes to be used as vapor retarders in contact with earth under concrete slabs, against walls, or as ground cover in crawl spaces. The test methods are applicable primarily to plastic films, and other flexible sheets. The materials are not intended to be subjected to sustained hydrostatic pressure. The procedures simulate conditions to which vapor retarders may be subjected prior to and during installation, and in service.
1.2 The test methods included are:SectionWater-Vapor Transmission of Material as ReceivedWater-Vapor Transmission after Wetting and Drying and after Long-Time SoakingTensile Strength Resistance to Puncture Resistance to Plastic Flow and Elevated Temperature Effect of Low Temperatures on Flexibility Resistance to Deterioration from Organisms and Substances in Con-tacting Soil Resistance to Deterioration from Petroleum Vehicles for Soil PoisonsResistance to Deterioration from Exposure to Ultraviolet Light Resistance to Flame Spread Report
1.3 The values stated in acceptable metric units shall be considered standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
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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Designation:E154–99 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Test Methods for
Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth Under
Concrete Slabs, on Walls, or as Ground Cover
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E154; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 These test methods cover the determination of the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
properties of flexible membranes to be used as vapor retarders C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
in contact with earth under concrete slabs, against walls, or as C755 Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for
ground cover in crawl spaces. The test methods are applicable Thermal Insulation
primarily to plastic films, and other flexible sheets. The D828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and
materials are not intended to be subjected to sustained hydro- Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-ElongationApparatus
static pressure. The procedures simulate conditions to which D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
vapor retarders may be subjected prior to and during installa- by the Falling Dart Method
tion, and in service. D1985 Practice for Preparing Concrete Blocks for Testing
1.2 The test methods included are: Sealants for Joints and Cracks
D2565 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Exposure of
Section
Water-Vapor Transmission of Material as Received 7
Plastics Intended for Outside Applications
Water-Vapor Transmission after Wetting and Drying and after Long-
D4397 Specification for Polyethylene Sheeting for Con-
Time Soaking 8
Tensile Strength 9 struction, Industrial, and Agricultural Applications
Resistance to Puncture 10
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Resistance to Plastic Flow and Elevated Temperature 11
Building Materials
Effect of Low Temperatures on Flexibility 12
E96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
Resistance to Deterioration from Organisms and Substances in Con-
tacting Soil 13
rials
Resistance to Deterioration from Petroleum Vehicles for Soil Poisons 14
E241 Guide for Limiting Water-Induced Damage to Build-
Resistance to Deterioration from Exposure to Ultraviolet Light 15
ings
Resistance to Flame Spread 16
Report 17
E437 Specification for Industrial Wire Cloth and Screens
(Square Opening Series)
1.3 The values stated in acceptable metric units shall be
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
considered standard. The values in parentheses are for infor-
mation only.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in these test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
methods, see Terminologies C168 and E631.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.1 perm, n—the time rate of water vapor migration
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
through a material or a construction of 1 grain/h·ft ·in. Hg of
vapor pressure difference.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—There are no SI units that can be
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21 combined to give the same mass flow rate as the inch-pound
on Serviceability.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E154–99. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Some of these test methods were based originally on Report No. 2040, U.S. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Forest Products Laboratory, and “Vapor Barrier Materials for Use with Slab-On- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Ground Construction and as Ground Covers in Crawl Spaces,” Publication the ASTM website.
445-1956, Building Research Advisory Board (currently out-of-print). Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E154–99 (2005)
perm without a numerical coefficient. If a specification states 6. Test Specimen
that a one perm resistance is required, the same rate of flow
6.1 The number and size of test specimens of each material
will be obtained from the following relationships:
are specified in each test procedure. Great care is required to
1 perm = 1 grain/h·ft ·in. Hg Inch-pound units
protect the test areas of the specimens against damage or
−12 2
= 57.2·10 kg/s·m ·Pa SI (fundamental units)
contamination.
= 57.2 ng/s·m ·Pa SI (frequently used)
= 0.66 g/24 h·m ·mm Hg SI (deprecated, should not be used)
7. Water-Vapor Transmission of Material as Received
The perm is a specific rate of vapor flow regardless of the units that
7.1 Significance and Use—Since the water-vapor flow rate
wereusedinmeasuringtheflowrateorinconvertingthemintodesired
through a material in service is significant in order for
units.
comparisons to be made of performance after specific treat-
3.2.2 water–vapor permeability, n— the time rate of water ments of the material, the water-vapor flow rate of the material
as received is needed as a reference value. The as-received
vapor flow through unit area of unit thickness of a flat material
materialispresumedtoberepresentativeofthematerialthatis
inducedbyunitvaporpressuredifferencebetweentwoparallel
to be used on the purchaser’s project.
specified surfaces under specific temperature and humidity
7.2 Apparatus—The apparatus and test facilities are de-
conditions.
scribed in Test MethodsE96.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Since vapor flow rate does not vary
7.3 Procedure:
directly with thickness for many materials, comparisons of
7.3.1 Make water-vapor transmission tests on at least three
vapor flow rates for retarders of various thicknesses should be
specimens of each material in accordance with Procedure B of
made on test results of permeance rather than on permeability.
Test MethodsE96. If the retarder material is coated or treated
3.2.3 water–vapor permeance, n—the time rate of water
on one surface to improve its water-vapor resistance, make the
vapor flow through unit area of the known thickness of a flat
test with this surface toward the water unless otherwise
material or a construction normal to two specific parallel
specified.
surfacesinducedbyunitvaporpressuredifferencebetweenthe
7.3.2 Where wax seals are used with the wet method, it is
two surfaces under specific temperature and humidity condi-
good procedure to heat the test dishes uniformly to 45°C
tions. While the SI unit is kg/s·m ·Pa, the practical unit is the
(113°F)orslightlywarmerbeforesealingthetestsampletothe
perm (see 3.2.1).
dish to avoid having the wax become too viscous for good
3.2.4 water–vapor transmission (WVT), n—the steady wa- sealing.
ter vapor flow in unit time through unit area of a flat material 7.4 Precision and Bias—Thestatementsregardingprecision
or a construction normal to specific parallel surfaces induced and bias in Test Methods E96 shall also apply to this test
method.
by specific temperatures, pressures, and humidities at each
surface. Units in SI are kilogram per second, square metre,
8. Water-Vapor Transmission after Wetting and Drying
(kg/s·m ) (inch-pound, grain per hour, square foot, (grain/
and after Long-Time Soaking
h·ft )).
8.1 Significance and Use—After water-vapor retarders
leave the factory they are exposed to many conditions of
4. Significance and Use
wetting and drying, and may be subjected to immersion or
4.1 In service, vapor retarders may be exposed to a variety
partial immersion for various periods.To indicate the potential
ofconditions,sonoonetestwillprovideevaluationsrelatedto
effect of wetting and drying, and relatively long-time exposure
performance for all exposures (refer to Guide E241 and
to soaking, the data from these tests will be compared with
C755). Neither will all test methods listed be necessary in all
those of the material as received.
evaluations for specific exposures (see 16.2). 8.2 Apparatus:
8.2.1 Controlled-Temperature Vessels, of suitable size for
4.2 Limitations—Priortouseandinservice,vaporretarders
soakingspecimens,andequippedwithatemperaturecontroller
may be exposed to a variety of conditions so no one test will
actuated by a thermostat. The controller shall be of a type that
provide evaluations related to performance for all exposures
will maintain temperature in the vessels between 22 and 24°C
(refer to Guide E241 and C755). Neither will all tests be
(72 and 75°F). If space permits, the test chamber used for the
necessary in all evaluations for specific exposures. Conse-
water-vapor transmission tests may be used to hold soaking
quently, the tests and required test results shall be agreed upon
pans in place of the thermostatically controlled vessel.
by the purchaser and the supplier (see 16.2).
8.2.2 Oven or Drying Chamber, for drying test specimens,
thermostatically controlled at a temperature between 60 and
5. Sampling
62°C (140 and 144°F).
5.1 Obtain samples for preparation of test specimens from
8.2.3 Water-Vapor TransmissionApparatus,asprescribedin
eachofthreeseparaterollsorpackagesofeachtypeofmaterial
Test MethodsE96.
being tested. Samples shall be representative of the material
8.2.4 Mandrel—A round metal bar or rod 25 mm (1 in.) in
being tested and shall be of uniform thickness. If the samples
diameter and approximately 460 mm (18 in.) long.
areofnonsymmetricalconstruction,designatethetwofacesby 8.3 Procedure:
distinguishing marks and report which side was exposed to a
8.3.1 Cutthreespecimens,305by305mm(12by12in.)of
specific condition. the material to be tested.
E154–99 (2005)
8.3.2 Immerse the specimens in potable water kept at a absorbed to maximum load in joules or in inch-pounds.
temperature between 22 and 24°C (72 and 75°F) for 16 h Average the ten readings, crosswise and lengthwise, respec-
(overnight). They dry the specimens in an oven kept between tively.
60 and 62°C (140 and 144°F) for 8 h. Repeat the wetting and 9.4 Precision and Bias—The statements on reproducibility
dryingcycleforatotalof5cycles(MondaythroughFriday)to
in Test Method D828 shall also apply to this test method.
be followed by immersing the specimens in water over the
weekend (64 h). Repeat the wetting and drying cycle 5 more
10. Resistance to Puncture
days and immerse the specimens in water for a period of 16 ⁄2
10.1 Significance and Use:
days (weekend plus 2 weeks). Dry the specimens between 60
10.1.1 One of the major stresses to which sheet materials
and 62°C (140 and 144°F) and then condition to a constant
used as vapor retarders are subjected is puncture. These data
weight in the chamber where water-vapor transmission tests
may be used to evaluate the resistance to one type of puncture
are made.
force on different materials to be considered for a specific
8.3.3 Cut the specimens into halves parallel to the machine
construction.
direction(thelongdirectionastakenfromtherollorpackage).
10.1.2 The falling dart test in the paragraph on Impact
Bend one of the halves of each specimen with one surface up
Resistance of Specification D4397 may be used to evaluate
andtheotherspecimenwiththeoppositesurfaceupatanangle
puncture resistance of the material. (See Test Method D1709
of 90° over a 25-mm (1-in.) diameter mandrel in a period of 2
also.)
s or less at a temperature between 22 and 24°C (72 and 75°F).
10.2 Apparatus:
Record evidence of cracking or delamination.
10.2.1 A Square Mounting Frame, of wood, metal, or rigid
8.3.4 Cutspecimensforthewater-vaportransmissiontestso
plastic 254 by 254 mm (10 by 10 in.) outside with a 152- by
that the full bent portion is installed in the center of the pan
152-mm (6- by 6-in.) central opening, consisting of two parts
withthesurfacethatwasconcaveatthetimeofbendingfacing
that are held together with 8 thumbscrews, on each side. The
the water. Determine water-vapor transmission in accordance
thickness of wood or plastic shall be 32 mm (1 ⁄4 in.); of metal
with Section 7.
10 mm ( ⁄8 in.). The contact areas of each part shall be faced
8.4 Precision and Bias—Thestatementsregardingprecision
with well-adhered Grade No. 80 sandpaper to prevent slippage
and bias in Test Methods E96 shall also apply to this test
of the sheet under test (see Fig. 1).
method.
10.2.2 Steel Cylinder, solid, 25-mm (1-in.) diameter, with
the contact face smooth and at 90° with the axis, and with the
9. Tensile Strength
edge of the end surface slightly rounded.
9.1 Significance and Use—The thin sheet materials that are
10.2.3 Conventional Straightedges and Rules or Dials,to
used as vapor retarders are subjected to several kinds of
indicatedeflectionofthetestmembraneattheedgeofthesteel
handling stresses. Since it is desirable that the material have a
cylinder.
tensile strength that will minimize tearing or permanent elon-
10.3 Procedure:
gation in normal use, the tensile data may be used to compare
10.3.1 Conduct the tests at a room temperature between 22
different materials that are being considered for use in specific
and 24°C (72 and 75°F).
constructions.
10.3.2 Cut three 254-mm (10-in.) square specimens of the
9.2 Apparatus:
materialtobetested.Conditionspecimenstoaconstantweight
9.2.1 Controlled-Temperature Vessels— See 8.2.1.
between 22 and 24°C (72 and 75°F) and between 45 and 55%
9.2.2 Testing Machine—A pendulum-type tension testing relative humidity.
machine such as described in Test Method D828,orthe
10.3.3 Place a single sheet between the upper and lower
equivalent. parts of the mounting frame and tighten the thumbscrews.
9.3 Procedure: 10.3.4 Makethetestsataroomtemperaturebetween22and
9.3.1 Cut ten specimens, 25 m (1 in.) wide and 203 mm (8 24°C (72 and 75°F). Support the test frame containing the
in.)long,ineachprincipaldirection(crosswiseandlengthwise) mounted specimen on all sides on a rigid base high enough to
of the sample. enable the specimen to deflect to its maximum.Acircular or a
square support may be used. Bring the end surface of the solid
9.3.2 Immerse in potable water controlled at a temperature
between 22 and 24°C (1) (72 and 75°F) for 7 days in such a steel cylinder into contact with the sheet being tested. Lower
the cylinder at a rate of 6 mm ( ⁄4 in.)/min, and measure the
manner that water has fr
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