ASTM C1134-23

Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulations Following Partial Immersion

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Materials less than or equal to 15 mm (0.59 in.) in thickness shall not be tested in accordance with this test method in order to avoid complete immersion of the specimens. This type of exposure is beyond the scope of this test method.  
4.2 This test method is used to assess both the short-term water retention and the long-term water retention. The short-term water retention is assessed as the average of the water retained following partial immersion intervals of 0.75-h and 3.00-h, in kilograms per square meter (percent by volume) (for materials tested at 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) thickness). The long-term water retention is assessed as the water retained following a 168-h partial immersion interval, in kilograms per square meter (percent by volume) (for materials tested at 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) thickness).  
4.3 Materials shall be tested at both actual product thickness and 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) thickness provided the materials can be cut to a thickness of 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) without changing the original character of the materials. If a product cannot be cut without changing the original character of the material, the corresponding information shall be provided in the test report. Results shall be reported on the basis of equal nominal wetted specimen surface area (in units of kilograms per square meter) for materials tested at actual product thickness and on the basis of equal specimen volume (in units of percent by volume) for materials tested at 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) thickness. If a product cannot be cut to a thickness of 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) or if the actual product thickness is less than 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) but greater than 15 mm (0.59 in.), the product shall only be tested at actual product thickness and results only reported on the basis of equal nominal wetted specimen surface area.  
4.3.1 By reporting results on the basis of equal nominal wetted specimen surface area, specimens of different thicknesses can be compared equitably. For some specimens, the water intake ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the amount of water retained (including surface water) by rigid block and board thermal insulations used in building construction applications after these materials have been partially immersed in liquid water for prescribed time intervals under isothermal 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 complete immersion, water vapor transmission, internal condensation, freeze-thaw cycling, or a combination of these effects requires different test procedures.  
1.3 Each partial immersion interval is followed by a brief free-drainage period. This test method does not address or attempt to quantify the drainage characteristics of materials. Therefore, results for materials with different internal structure and porosity, such as cellular materials and fibrous materials, are not necessarily directly comparable. Also, test results for specimens of different thickness are not necessarily directly comparable because of porosity effects. The surface characteristics of a material also affect drainage. It is possible that specimens with rough surfaces will retain more surface water than specimens with smooth surfaces, and that surface treatment during specimen preparation will affect water intake and retention. Therefore, it is not advisable to directly compare results for materials with different surface characteristics.  
1.4 For most materials the size of the test specimens is small compared with the size of the products actually inst...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2023
• ICS: 27.220 - Heat recovery. Thermal insulation
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.33 - Insulation Finishes and Moisture

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: C1134 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulations Following
1
Partial Immersion
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1134; 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 the corresponding products are different, it is possible that the
test results will be misleading.
1.1 This test method determines the amount of water re-
tained (including surface water) by rigid block and board 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
thermal insulations used in building construction applications standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
after these materials have been partially immersed in liquid conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
water for prescribed time intervals under isothermal condi- tion only and are not considered standard.
tions. This test method is intended to be used for the charac-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
terization of materials in the laboratory. It is not intended to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
simulate any particular environmental condition potentially
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
encountered in building construction applications.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This test method does not address all the possible
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
mechanisms of water intake and retention and related phenom-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ena for rigid thermal insulations. It relates only to those
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
conditions outlined in 1.1. Determination of moisture accumu-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
lation in thermal insulations due to complete immersion, water
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
vapor transmission, internal condensation, freeze-thaw cycling,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
or a combination of these effects requires different test proce-
dures.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Each partial immersion interval is followed by a brief
2.1 ASTM Standards:
free-drainage period. This test method does not address or
2
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
attempt to quantify the drainage characteristics of materials.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Therefore, results for materials with different internal structure
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
and porosity, such as cellular materials and fibrous materials,
are not necessarily directly comparable. Also, test results for
3. Terminology
specimens of different thickness are not necessarily directly
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 applies to terms used in
comparable because of porosity effects. The surface character-
this test method.
istics of a material also affect drainage. It is possible that
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
specimens with rough surfaces will retain more surface water
3.2.1 WR —short-term water retention rating.
S
than specimens with smooth surfaces, and that surface treat-
ment during specimen preparation will affect water intake and 3.2.2 WR —long-term water retention rating.
L
retention. Therefore, it is not advisable to directly compare
4. Significance and Use
results for materials with different surface characteristics.
4.1 Materials less than or equal to 15 mm (0.59 in.) in
1.4 For most materials the size of the test specimens is small
thickness shall not be tested in accordance with this test
compared with the size of the products actually installed in the
method in order to avoid complete immersion of the speci-
field. If the surface-to-volume ratios for the test specimens and
mens. This type of exposure is beyond the scope of this test
method.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Insulation
2
Finishes and Moisture. 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
ε1
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C1134 – 17 . DOI: Standards volume
...

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.
´1
Designation: C1134 − 17 C1134 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulations Following
1
Partial Immersion
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1134; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected 6.1 in January 2022.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method determines the amount of water retained (including surface water) by rigid block and board thermal
insulations used in building construction applications after these materials have been partially immersed in liquid water for
prescribed time intervals under isothermal 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 complete immersion, water vapor transmission, internal condensation, freeze-thaw cycling, or a combination of
these effects requires different test procedures.
1.3 Each partial immersion interval is followed by a brief free-drainage period. This test method does not address or attempt to
quantify the drainage characteristics of materials. Therefore, results for materials with different internal structure and porosity, such
as cellular materials and fibrous materials, are not necessarily directly comparable. Also, test results for specimens of different
thickness are not necessarily directly comparable because of porosity effects. The surface characteristics of a material also affect
drainage. It is possible that specimens with rough surfaces will retain more surface water than specimens with smooth surfaces,
and that surface treatment during specimen preparation will affect water intake and retention. Therefore, it is not advisable to
directly compare results for materials with different surface characteristics.
1.4 For most materials the size of the test specimens is small compared with the size of the products actually installed in the field.
If the surface-to-volume ratios for the test specimens and the corresponding products are different, it is possible that the test results
will be misleading.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to
inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.33 on Insulation Finishes
and Moisture.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2017March 1, 2023. Published November 2017March 2023. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20122017
ε1
as C1134 – 90 (2012)C1134 – 17 . DOI: 10.1520/C1134-17E01.10.1520/C1134-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C1134 − 23
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 applies to terms used in this test method.
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 WR —short-term water retention rating.
S
3.2.2 WR —long-term water retention rating.
L
...