ASTM C165-23

Standard Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In providing Procedures A and B, it is recognized that different types of thermal insulation will exhibit significantly different behavior under compressive load. Data must usually be obtained from a complete load-deformation curve, and the useful working range normally corresponds to only a portion of the curve. The user is cautioned against use of the product in the range beyond which the product is permanently damaged or properties are adversely affected.  
4.2 Load-deformation curves provide useful data for research and development, quality control, specification acceptance or rejection, and for other special purposes. Standard loading rates shall not be used arbitrarily for all purposes; the effects of impact, creep, fatigue, and repeated cycling must be considered. All load-deformation data shall be reviewed carefully for applicability prior to acceptance for use in engineering designs differing widely in load, load application rate, and material dimensions involved.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for determining the compressive resistance of thermal insulations.  
1.1.1 Procedure A covers thermal insulations having an approximate straight-line portion of a load-deformation curve, with or without an identifiable yield point as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Such behavior is typical of most rigid board or block-type insulations.
FIG. 1 Procedure A—Straight Line Portion with Definite Yield Point
FIG. 2 Procedure A—Straight Line Portion but no Definite Yield Point  
1.1.2 Procedure B covers thermal insulations that become increasingly more stiff as load is increased, as shown in Fig. 3. Such behavior is typical of fibrous batt and blanket insulations that have been compressed previously to at least the same deformation by compression packaging or mechanical softening.
FIG. 3 Procedure B—Increasing Stiffness  
1.2 It is recognized that the classification of materials under Procedures A and B shall not hold in all cases. For example, some batt or blanket materials that have not been compression packaged will exhibit behavior more typical of Procedure A for their first loadings. Also, some higher density fibrous insulation boards that have been precompressed will exhibit load-deformation curves more typical of Procedure B. There will also be thermal insulations with load-deformation curves that follow none of the three types shown here; that is, curves with no straight-line portion, curves with compaction areas, and curves that change from negative to positive slope.  
1.3 This test method does not cover reflective or loose fill insulations.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2023
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.32 - Mechanical Properties

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C165 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C165; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for determining
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the compressive resistance of thermal insulations.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1.1 Procedure A covers thermal insulations having an
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
approximate straight-line portion of a load-deformation curve,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
with or without an identifiable yield point as shown in Figs. 1
and 2. Such behavior is typical of most rigid board or
2. Referenced Documents
block-type insulations.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.2 Procedure B covers thermal insulations that become
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or
increasingly more stiff as load is increased, as shown in Fig. 3.
Batt Thermal Insulations
Such behavior is typical of fibrous batt and blanket insulations
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
that have been compressed previously to at least the same
C240 Test Methods for Testing Cellular Glass Insulation
deformation by compression packaging or mechanical soften-
Block
ing.
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test-
1.2 It is recognized that the classification of materials under
ing Machines
Procedures A and B shall not hold in all cases. For example,
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
some batt or blanket materials that have not been compression
ASTM Test Methods
packaged will exhibit behavior more typical of Procedure A for
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
their first loadings. Also, some higher density fibrous insulation
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
boards that have been precompressed will exhibit load-
deformation curves more typical of Procedure B. There will
3. Terminology
also be thermal insulations with load-deformation curves that
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 applies to the terms
follow none of the three types shown here; that is, curves with
used in this method.
no straight-line portion, curves with compaction areas, and
curves that change from negative to positive slope.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 compressive deformation—the decrease in specimen
1.3 This test method does not cover reflective or loose fill
thickness by a compressive load.
insulations.
3.2.2 compressive load—the compressive force carried by
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
the test specimen at any given moment.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only. 3.2.3 compressive modulus of elasticity—the ratio of the
compressive load per unit of original area to the corresponding
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
deformation per unit of original thickness below the propor-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tional limit of a material.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 3.2.4 compressive resistance—the compressive load per unit
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. of original area at a specified deformation. For those materials
where the specified deformation is regarded as indicating the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical
2
Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C165 – 07 (2017). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/C0165-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: C165 − 07 (Reapproved 2017) C165 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C165; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers two procedures for determining the compressive resistance of thermal insulations.
1.1.1 Procedure A covers thermal insulations having an approximate straight-line portion of a load-deformation curve, with or
without an identifiable yield point as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Such behavior is typical of most rigid board or block-type insulations.
1.1.2 Procedure B covers thermal insulations that become increasingly more stiff as load is increased, as shown in Fig. 3. Such
behavior is typical of fibrous batt and blanket insulations that have been compressed previously to at least the same deformation
by compression packaging or mechanical softening.
1.2 It is recognized that the classification of materials under Procedures A and B shall not hold in all cases. For example, some
batt or blanket materials that have not been compression packaged will exhibit behavior more typical of Procedure A for their first
loadings. Also, some higher density fibrous insulation boards that have been precompressed will exhibit load-deformation curves
more typical of Procedure B. There will also be thermal insulations with load-deformation curves that follow none of the three
types shown here; that is, curves with no straight-line portion, curves with compaction areas, and curves that change from negative
to positive slope.
1.3 This test method does not cover reflective or loose fill insulations.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on Mechanical
Properties.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017March 1, 2023. Published December 2017March 2023. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20122017
as C165 – 07 (2012).(2017). DOI: 10.1520/C0165-07R17.10.1520/C0165-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C165 − 23
FIG. 1 Procedure A—Straight Line Portion with Definite Yield Point
FIG. 2 Procedure A—Straight Line Portion but no Definite Yield Point
FIG. 3 Procedure B—Increasing Stiffness
2

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
C165 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or Batt Thermal Insulations
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C240 Test Methods for Testing Cellular Glass Insulation Block
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Testing Machines
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Terminology C168 applies to the terms used in this method.
3.1 Definitions—AdditionalTerminology C168terms are defined as follows: applies to the terms used in this method.
3.3 compressive deformation—the decrease in specimen thickness by a compressive load.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 compressive deformation—the decrease in specimen thickness by a compressive load.
3.2.2 compressive load—the compressive force c
...