ASTM C1918-21
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulation Materials after Immersion and Exposure to Drying Conditions
Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulation Materials after Immersion and Exposure to Drying Conditions
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a means of measuring the water retention of flat specimens of rigid thermal insulation as a result of immersion in water and exposure to drying conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the amount of water retained (excluding surface water) by flat specimens of rigid thermal insulations after immersion and exposure to drying conditions. This test method is intended to be used for the characterization of materials in the laboratory. It is not intended to simulate any particular environmental condition potentially encountered in building construction applications.
1.2 This test method does not address all the possible mechanisms of water intake and retention and related phenomena for rigid thermal insulations. It relates only to those conditions outlined in 1.1. Determination of moisture accumulation in thermal insulations due to partial immersion, water vapor transmission, internal condensation, freeze-thaw cycling, or a combination of these effects requires different test procedures.
1.3 This test method does not address or attempt to quantify the drainage characteristics of materials.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems has the potential to result in non-conformance with the standard.
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
- 30-Nov-2021
- Technical Committee
- C16 - Thermal Insulation
- Drafting Committee
- C16.33 - Insulation Finishes and Moisture
Relations
- Effective Date
- 15-Apr-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2023
- Effective Date
- 15-Apr-2018
- Effective Date
- 15-Apr-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2017
- Effective Date
- 15-Nov-2016
- Effective Date
- 15-Oct-2016
- Effective Date
- 15-Dec-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2015
- Effective Date
- 15-Oct-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2015
- Effective Date
- 15-Oct-2014
Overview
ASTM C1918-21 provides a standardized laboratory test method for determining the water retention of rigid thermal insulation materials after immersion in water followed by exposure to controlled drying conditions. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is crucial for accurately characterizing the water retention properties of flat insulation specimens under uniform laboratory conditions. ASTM C1918-21 plays a vital role in material comparison and specification, particularly in quality control and product development for manufacturers and researchers working with thermal insulation products.
This test method specifically focuses on the measurement of retained water in rigid insulation after full immersion and subsequent drying, excluding surface water. It does not simulate actual environmental conditions found in field applications such as building envelopes, and is not intended to quantify drainage characteristics or address other moisture mechanisms like vapor transmission, condensation, or freeze-thaw cycles.
Key Topics
- Test Scope:
- Measures water retained by flat specimens of rigid thermal insulation after full water immersion and standardized drying.
- Applicable for laboratory characterization, not for simulating real-world environmental conditions.
- Methodology Highlights:
- Involves immersion of samples for a prescribed period, removal of surface water, followed by controlled drying.
- Retained water is quantified by weight and volume using precise laboratory equipment.
- Controlled Testing Environment:
- Specimens and procedures are conducted in temperature- and humidity-controlled rooms or chambers for accurate and repeatable results.
- Material Types:
- Suitable for various rigid insulation materials, including cellular polystyrene and other block or board-type products.
- Performance Reporting:
- Reports include descriptions of material, specimen measurements, test conditions, water absorption and retention values (by weight and volume), and statistical data such as averages and standard deviations.
- International Standardization:
- Conforms with international standards recognition, following guidelines established by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO TBT) Committee.
Applications
The ASTM C1918-21 test method is widely applied in:
- Material Development and Comparison:
- Used by manufacturers and researchers to compare the water retention characteristics of different rigid thermal insulation materials in controlled settings.
- Quality Control:
- Integral to quality assurance programs for ensuring consistent performance in insulation products before market release.
- Product Certification:
- Helps demonstrate compliance with specifications or project requirements where water retention properties are a concern.
- Specification Development:
- Assists engineers and architects in specifying insulation with verified water retention characteristics for projects where laboratory data is required.
- Research and Standards Compliance:
- Supports research on improving material performance and is referenced in related standards and regulatory documentation.
Note: This method does not predict performance under field conditions such as partial immersion, vapor transport, internal condensation, or freeze-thaw cycles. Other specialized tests should be used for those scenarios.
Related Standards
Practitioners working with rigid thermal insulation materials may also find these ASTM standards relevant:
ASTM C168 – Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
Provides standard definitions for terms used in thermal insulation testing and specifications.ASTM C303 – Standard Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
Details specimen measurement and density calculation methods incorporated in C1918-21.ASTM C578 – Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
Addresses material types covered under the test method.
By consistently applying ASTM C1918-21, industry professionals can reliably compare and document the water retention properties of rigid thermal insulation, ensuring materials meet established quality benchmarks and regulatory requirements. Keywords: ASTM C1918-21, water retention, rigid thermal insulation, insulation testing, immersion, drying conditions, laboratory method, ASTM standard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM C1918-21 is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulation Materials after Immersion and Exposure to Drying Conditions". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This test method provides a means of measuring the water retention of flat specimens of rigid thermal insulation as a result of immersion in water and exposure to drying conditions. SCOPE 1.1 This test method determines the amount of water retained (excluding surface water) by flat specimens of rigid thermal insulations after immersion and exposure to drying conditions. This test method is intended to be used for the characterization of materials in the laboratory. It is not intended to simulate any particular environmental condition potentially encountered in building construction applications. 1.2 This test method does not address all the possible mechanisms of water intake and retention and related phenomena for rigid thermal insulations. It relates only to those conditions outlined in 1.1. Determination of moisture accumulation in thermal insulations due to partial immersion, water vapor transmission, internal condensation, freeze-thaw cycling, or a combination of these effects requires different test procedures. 1.3 This test method does not address or attempt to quantify the drainage characteristics of materials. 1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems has the potential to result in non-conformance with the standard. 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This test method provides a means of measuring the water retention of flat specimens of rigid thermal insulation as a result of immersion in water and exposure to drying conditions. SCOPE 1.1 This test method determines the amount of water retained (excluding surface water) by flat specimens of rigid thermal insulations after immersion and exposure to drying conditions. This test method is intended to be used for the characterization of materials in the laboratory. It is not intended to simulate any particular environmental condition potentially encountered in building construction applications. 1.2 This test method does not address all the possible mechanisms of water intake and retention and related phenomena for rigid thermal insulations. It relates only to those conditions outlined in 1.1. Determination of moisture accumulation in thermal insulations due to partial immersion, water vapor transmission, internal condensation, freeze-thaw cycling, or a combination of these effects requires different test procedures. 1.3 This test method does not address or attempt to quantify the drainage characteristics of materials. 1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems has the potential to result in non-conformance with the standard. 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.
ASTM C1918-21 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM C1918-21 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM C168-24, ASTM C578-23, ASTM C168-18, ASTM C578-18, ASTM C578-17a, ASTM C168-17, ASTM C578-17, ASTM C578-16, ASTM C303-10(2016), ASTM C578-15b, ASTM C578-15a, ASTM C168-15a, ASTM C168-15, ASTM C578-15, ASTM C578-14a. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM C1918-21 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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: C1918 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulation Materials after
Immersion and Exposure to Drying Conditions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1918; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method determines the amount of water re- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
tained (excluding surface water) by flat specimens of rigid C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
thermal insulations after immersion and exposure to drying C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
conditions. This test method is intended to be used for the formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
characterizationofmaterialsinthelaboratory.Itisnotintended C578 Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal
to simulate any particular environmental condition potentially Insulation
encountered in building construction applications.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method does not address all the possible
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 applies to terms used in
mechanisms of water intake and retention and related phenom-
this test method.
ena for rigid thermal insulations. It relates only to those
conditions outlined in 1.1. Determination of moisture accumu-
4. Summary of Test Method
lation in thermal insulations due to partial immersion, water
vaportransmission,internalcondensation,freeze-thawcycling,
4.1 Test specimens are immersed in water for 24 h and
or a combination of these effects requires different test proce-
subsequently exposed to drying conditions for minimum of 24
dures.
h. Water absorption is determined after the immersion period
and water retention is determined after the exposure to drying
1.3 This test method does not address or attempt to quantify
period.
the drainage characteristics of materials.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
5. Significance and Use
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
5.1 This test method provides a means of measuring the
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore,
water retention of flat specimens of rigid thermal insulation as
each system shall be used independently of the other. Combin-
a result of immersion in water and exposure to drying
ing values from the two systems has the potential to result in
conditions.
non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
6. Apparatus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
6.1 Temperature-Controlled Room or Chamber, suitable for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
maintaining temperature within 62°C (64°F).
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6.2 Temperature and Humidity-Controlled Room or
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Chamber, suitable for maintaining temperature within 62°C
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
(64°F) and relative humidity within 65%.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
6.3 Caliper, Dial Gage, or Micrometer, suitable for measur-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ing specimen dimensions to within 0.1 %.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6.4 Balance, suitable for measuring specimen weight to
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
within 0.1 %.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Insulation For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Finishes and Moisture. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2021. Published January 2022. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
C1918-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
C1918 − 21
6.5 Immersion Pan—A pan of width and length of at least 10.5 Measure each specimen’s weight. This weight is the
400 mm (16 in.) and of a depth at least 50 mm (2 in.) greater intermediate weight, W .
than the specimen thickness.
10.6 Within 15 min after the removal from the water, place
6.5.1 Specimen Supports and Constraints—Included in the
specimens horizontally in temperature and humidity-controlled
construction of the immersion pan shall be a means for
room or chamber, with a temperature of 23 6 2°C (73 6 4°F)
securing the specimens in a level position, a noncorrosive
and a relative humidity of 50 6 5 %.Air shall be continuously
support for the bottom surface of the specimens and a similar
circulated to maintain uniform conditions. Turbulent air flow
constraining device for the top surface for buoyant materials.
shall be avoided. Specimen supports shall not restrict air flow
The support and constraining devices shall not contact more
to more than 15 % of the supported specimen surface.
than 15 % of the specimen surfaces. The space between the
NOTE 2—The use of an open-air room within specified conditions is
support and the bottom of the pan shall be not less than 5 mm
recommended. The use of an environmental chamber is acceptable if air
(0.2 in.). The pressure exerted on the specimens by the
flow is determined to not be turbulent.
constraining device for the top surface shall be limited to that
10.7 After 24 h 6 15 min, weigh each specimen. This
required to counteract any buoyant force exerted by the
weight is the final weight after immersion and drying, W . The
specimens at
...
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