ASTM C1136-95

Standard Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers vapor retarders for thermal insulation, specifically, flexible materials with permeance of 0.10 perm or lower and surface burning characteristics of 25 flame spread/50 smoke or lower. These materials are intended for use at temperatures of -20 to 150°F (-29 to 66°C). It does not cover mastics or barrier coatings applied in liquid form, nor materials intended for use as weather barriers.
1.2 This specification provides physical requirements for vapor retarders. Practice C755 should provide assistance in solving problems related to moisture vapor transmission through thermal insulation materials.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test methods portion only, Section 10, of this specification: 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-Dec-2000
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.33 - Insulation Finishes and Moisture

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C1136-00 - Standard Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C592-22a - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Insulation and Blanket-Type Pipe Insulation (Metal-Mesh Covered) (Industrial Type)
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C1263-95(2021) - Standard Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water Vapor Retarders
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C1393-19 - Standard Specification for Perpendicularly Oriented Mineral Fiber Roll and Sheet Thermal Insulation for Pipes and Tanks
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C755-20 - Standard Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C553-13(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C1484-10(2018) - Standard Specification for Vacuum Insulation Panels
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C1290-16(2021) - Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass Blanket Insulation Used to Externally Insulate HVAC Ducts
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C991-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass Insulation for Metal Buildings
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F3319-20 - Standard Specification for Selection and Application of Field-Installed Cryogenic Pipe and Equipment Insulation Systems on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-Fueled Ships
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C1423-21 - Standard Guide for Selecting Jacketing Materials for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C612-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM C1258-21a - Standard Test Method for Elevated Temperature and Humidity Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 1136 – 95
Standard Specification for
Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal
Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1136; 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.
1. Scope D 828 Test Method for Tensile Breaking Strength of Paper
and Paperboard
1.1 This specification covers vapor retarders for thermal
D 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
insulation, specifically, flexible materials with permeance of
Sheeting
0.10 perm or lower and surface burning characteristics of 25
D 1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
flame spread/50 smoke or lower. These materials are intended
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
for use at temperatures of −20 to 150°F (−29 to 66°C). It does
Temperature
not cover mastics or barrier coatings applied in liquid form, nor
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
materials intended for use as weather barriers.
Building Materials
1.2 This specification provides physical requirements for
E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
vapor retarders. Practice C 755 should provide assistance in
rials
solving problems related to moisture vapor transmission
2.2 TAPPI Standards:
through thermal insulation materials.
T461 Flame Resistance of Treated Paper and Paperboard
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
T803 Puncture Test of Containerboard
as standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for informa-
tion only.
3. Terminology
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test
3.1 Definitions—Definitions in Terminology C 168 apply to
methods portion only, Section 10, of this specification: This
terms used in this specification.
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
4. Classification
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
4.1 Classification of vapor retarders is based on vapor
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
retardance and strength properties, as listed in Table 1.
tions prior to use.
5. Materials and Manufacture
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Vapor retarders may be constructed of any number of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
various films, foils, cloths, papers, and reinforcements, alone or
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulating Materi-
2 in combination, to achieve required performance.
als
C 665 Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal
6. Physical Properties
Insulation for Light Frame Construction and Manufactured
6.1 Maximum permeance for a specific type vapor retarder
Housing
shall be as shown in Table 1 when tested in accordance with
C 755 Practice for Selection of Vapor Barriers for Thermal
10.1.
Insulations
6.2 All vapor retarders, when exposed in service, shall
C 1258 Test Method for Elevated Temperature and Humid-
demonstrate a flame spread of 25 or less and smoke developed
ity Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation
of 50 or less when testing the finish side (the side opposite that
C 1263 Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water
contacting the insulation) in accordance with 10.2.
Vapor Retarders
6.3 Minimum tensile strength for a specific type vapor
retarder shall be as shown in Table 1 when tested in accordance
with 10.3.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-16 on
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on
Thermal Insulation Finishes and Vapor Transmission.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1995. Published October 1995. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
published as C 1136 – 90. Last previous edition C 1136 – 92. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C 1136
TABLE 1 Physical Property Requirements
9.3 This specification is used to specify material by physical
Type property requirements that address the above prerequisites. The
Physical Property
designer of an insulation system, after determining the degree
I II III IV
of protection needed for the insulation, can use this specifica-
Permeance, max, Perms 0.02 (1.15) 0.02 (1.15) 0.10 (5.75) 0.10 (5.75)
−1 −1 −2
tion to specify the appropriate type of vapor retarder when one
(ng·Pa s m )
Puncture Resistance, min, 50 (58) 25 (29) 50 (58) 25 (29)
is required.
Beach units (metric units)
Machine Direction Tensile, 45 (7.9) 30 (5.3) 45 (7.9) 30 (5.3)
10. Test Methods
min, lb/in. width (N/mm
width)
10.1 Water Vapor Permeance—Test water vapor permeance
Cross Direction Tensile, min, 30 (5.3) 20 (3.5) 30 (5.3) 20 (3.5)
lb/in. width (N/mm width)
in accordance with Test Method E 96, Dessicant Method.
10.2 Surface Burning Characteristics—Test in accordance
with Test Method E 84.
10.3 Tensile Strength:
6.4 All type vapor retarders shall not exhibit dimensional
10.3.1 Test the tensile strength of plastic sheet vapor retard-
change of more than 0.25 % when tested in accordance with
ers in accordance with Test Method D 882, with results
10.4.
reported in pounds per inch width of specimen (Newtons per
6.5 All type vapor retarders shall not substain growth of
millimetre width).
fungi when tested in accordance with 10.5.
10.3.2 Test the tensile strength of all other vapor retarders in
6.6 All type vapor retarders shall not crack or delaminate at
accordance with Test Method D 828, with results reported in
temperatures from −20 to 150°F (−29 to 66°C) when tested in
pounds per inch of specimen width (Newtons per millimetre
accordance with 10.6.
width).
6.7 Minimum puncture resistance for a specific type vapor
10.3.3 Tested specimens shall be 2 in. (51 mm) wide with 1
retarder shall be as shown in Table 1 when tested in accordance
in. (25 mm) between jaws.
with 10.7.
10.3.4 Since the criterium for jaw breaks of Test Method
6.8 All type vapor retarders shall not demonstrate an in-
D 828 (a break within 1 in. of jaw) cannot be used with the
crease in char length of more than 20 % when tested in
above specimen configuration, employ visual inspection and
accordance with 10.8.
appropriate care to ensure that the clamping action is not
6.9 All type vapor retarders shall not corrode or delaminate,
initiating breakage.
nor show an increase in permeance after exposure when tested
10.4 Dimensional Stability:
in accordance with 10.9.
10.4.1 Test dimensional stability in accordance with Test
7. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible Variations
Method D 1204.
10.4.2 Expose the specimens to a temperature of 200 6 4°F
7.1 Dimensions for roll or sheeted materials shall be as
(93 6 2°C) for 15 min.
specified by the purchaser.
10.5 Fungi Resistance:
7.2 Tolerance for roll materials shall be 6 ⁄8 in. (63 mm) on
10.5.1 Test in accordance with the fungi resistance test
width and + 5,−0% on length.
section of Specification C 665.
7.3 Tolerance for sheeted materials shall be 6 ⁄8 in. (63
mm) on length and width. 10.5.2 For all tests, inoculate three specimens of the subject
sample. Growth on any of the three specimens constitutes
8. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
failure of t
...