ASTM C1936-23

Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness of Mineral-Fiber or Cellulosic-Fiber Insulation by Comparison to Control

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The fiber composition and the type of binder used in the manufacture of mineral fiber insulation can sometimes create a potential for corrosion on certain metals in the presence of water or water vapor.  
5.2 The fiber composition and type of fire retardant used in the manufacture of cellulosic fiber insulation can sometimes create a potential for corrosion on certain metals in the presence of water or water vapor.  
5.3 This method is used to determine the relative corrosion potential of mineral or cellulosic fiber insulation on specific metals under elevated temperature and high humidity conditions only.
SCOPE
1.1 This method provides a qualitative measure of the corrosiveness of mineral-fiber or cellulose fiber insulation by comparison to a control.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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: 31-Aug-2023
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.31 - Chemical and Physical Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C168-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM A109/A109M-24 - Standard Specification for Steel, Strip, Carbon (0.25 Maximum Percent), Cold-Rolled
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM C168-22 - Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2022
• Refers: ASTM A109/A109M-16(2018) - Standard Specification for Steel, Strip, Carbon (0.25 Maximum Percent), Cold-Rolled
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018

Overview

ASTM C1936-23: Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness of Mineral-Fiber or Cellulosic-Fiber Insulation by Comparison to Control provides a qualitative method for assessing the corrosiveness of mineral-fiber or cellulosic-fiber thermal insulation materials. The standard focuses on evaluating whether these insulation products, in the presence of water or water vapor, might accelerate corrosion on common metals, especially under elevated temperature and high humidity conditions.

This test ensures that insulation materials used in construction and manufacturing do not adversely affect steel, aluminum, or copper surfaces. ASTM C1936-23 aligns with internationally recognized principles established by the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, supporting global conformity in thermal insulation quality and safety.

Key Topics

• Corrosion Potential: The method is specifically designed to determine the relative corrosion potential of both mineral-fiber and cellulosic-fiber insulations against metals like steel, copper, and aluminum.
• Insulation Composition: The corrosive risk may depend on the fiber makeup, binder type (for mineral fiber), or fire retardant (for cellulosic fiber) present in the insulation.
• Test Conditions: Metal plates are exposed to insulation samples under controlled humidity (95 ± 3%) and temperature (120 ± 3°F / 49 ± 2°C) for specified periods, accurately simulating real-world exposure.
• Non-Quantitative Assessment: The result is a qualitative comparison between plates exposed to insulation versus plates exposed to sterile cotton controls, utilizing experienced judges for severity ranking.
• Reporting Requirements: Documentation includes material identification, metal types, treatment and coatings, and comparative results as per Section 11 of the standard.

Applications

ASTM C1936-23 is valuable in a variety of practical scenarios:

• Building and Construction: Verifies that insulation used in homes, light-frame buildings, and manufactured housing will not cause premature degradation of structural metal components.
• Manufacturing and Assembly: Helps insulation manufacturers demonstrate product safety and suitability for use where metal surfaces may be exposed to moisture or elevated temperatures.
• Quality Control: Enables engineers, contractors, and inspectors to select or verify insulation products based on corrosion potential, ensuring longer service life for building envelopes and mechanical systems.
• Product Development: Assists R&D teams in assessing and improving the formulation of insulation materials to minimize corrosion risk.

By adhering to this ASTM test method, stakeholders can reduce maintenance costs, ensure compliance with safety standards, and ensure the longevity of installations where thermal insulation is in direct contact with metal components.

Related Standards

A number of other ASTM and industry standards are relevant to the context and application of ASTM C1936-23, including:

• ASTM A109/A109M: Specification for Steel, Strip, Carbon (0.25 Maximum Percent), Cold-Rolled
• ASTM B152/B152M: Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate, and Rolled Bar
• ASTM B209/B209M: Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
• ASTM C168: Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
• ASTM G1: Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens

By referencing and applying ASTM C1936-23 along with these supporting standards, organizations can ensure robust, internationally recognized strategies for evaluating the corrosiveness of insulation materials and making informed product selections in construction and industry.

Keywords: ASTM C1936-23, insulation corrosiveness, mineral fiber insulation, cellulosic fiber insulation, corrosion test, construction materials, thermal insulation standard, building envelope, metal corrosion, insulation selection, quality assurance, product safety, standard test method.

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: C1936 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Corrosiveness of Mineral-Fiber or Cellulosic-Fiber Insulation
by Comparison to Control
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1936; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Individually assemble five each of specially cleaned
1.1 This method provides a qualitative measure of the
steel, copper, and aluminum test plates between pieces of
corrosiveness of mineral-fiber or cellulose fiber insulation by
insulation. Insulation is held uniformly against each side of the
comparison to a control.
test plate with wire screens and rubber bands.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 Assemble an equal number of cleaned metal test plates
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
between pieces of washed sterile cotton in an identical manner.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.3 Vertically suspend the samples in a humidity test cham-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ber at 95 6 3 % relative humidity and temperature of 120 6
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
3°F (49 6 2°C) for time periods determined by the type of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
metal being tested. Steel is tested for 96 6 2 h. Copper and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
aluminum are tested for 720 6 5 h.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.4 After the appropriate test period, compare the test plates
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
exposed to the insulation to the control plates exposed to sterile
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cotton for severity of corrosion. The insulation is considered to
have passed this test if the corrosion attributed to the insulation
2. Referenced Documents
is not significantly worse than that of the washed sterile cotton
2.1 ASTM Standards: controls.
A109/A109M Specification for Steel, Strip, Carbon (0.25
Maximum Percent), Cold-Rolled 5. Significance and Use
B152/B152M Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate,
5.1 The fiber composition and the type of binder used in the
and Rolled Bar
manufacture of mineral fiber insulation can sometimes create a
B209/B209M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-
potential for corrosion on certain metals in the presence of
Alloy Sheet and Plate
water or water vapor.
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
5.2 The fiber composition and type of fire retardant used in
G1 Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corro-
the manufacture of cellulosic fiber insulation can sometimes
sion Test Specimens
create a potential for corrosion on certain metals in the
presence of water or water vapor.
3. Terminology
5.3 This method is used to determine the relative corrosion
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C168 shall be considered as
potential of mineral or cellulosic fiber insulation on specific
applicable to the terms used in these test methods.
metals under elevated temperature and high humidity condi-
tions only.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
6. Apparatus
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.31 on Chemical and
Physical Properties.
1 1 1 1
6.1 Woven Wire Screen, 1 ⁄2 6 ⁄4 by 4 ⁄2 6 ⁄4 in. (38 6 6.3
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. DOI: 10.1520/
by 114 6 6.3 mm), made of Type 304 stainless steel, 0.063 6
F1936-23.
7 1
0.005-in. (1.60 6 0.13-mm) wire, ⁄16 6 ⁄16-in. (11 6 1.6-mm)
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
open square grid.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 6.2 Rubber Bands, No. 12.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1936 − 23
6.3 Humidity Test Chamber, clean, well maintained, and outer cotton surface against the metal coupons in the same
capable of controlling temperature at 120 6 3°F (49 6 2°C), manner as the insulation specimen. Then compress and secure
and humidity at 95 6 3 % relative humidity. these specimens in exactly the same manner as the insulation
test specimens using wire screens and No. 12 rubber bands or
7. Reagents and Materials
other suitable means to maintain sample thickness.
7.1 Metal Test Plates—Meeting the following composition
10.3 Vertically suspend the five test specimens and the five
requirements, the dimensions of all metal test plates shall be 1
control specimens in an atmosphere free of contaminants,
by 4 6 ⁄4 in. (25 by 100 6 6.3 mm):
having a relative humidity of 95 6 3 %, and a temperature of
7.1.1 Steel Plates shall be 0.02 6 0.005 in. (0.5 mm 6 0.13
120 6 3°F (49 6 2°C) for the specified test period (96 6 2 h
mm) thick, in accordance with Specification A109/A109M,
for steel, and 720 6 5 h for copper and aluminum). Keep the
bright No. 2 finish, cold-rolled low-carbon strip steel, quarter
humidity chamber for the entire test period. If the chamber
hard, temper No. 3.
must be opened, take care to ensure that the relative humidity
7.1.2 Aluminum Plates shall be 0.025 6 0.005-in. (0.6 6
does not rise sufficiently high to cause condensation within the
0.13 mm) thick, in accordance with Specification B209/
chamber. At the conclusion of the test period, remove the
B209M, Type 3003-0.
specimens from the chamber, disassemble and mark them to
7.1.3 Copper Plates shall be 0.032 6 0.005-in. (0.8 6 0.13
distinguish individual plates from each other.
mm) thick, in accordance with Specification B152/B152M
10.4 Closely examine the surfaces of each of the test and
Type ETP, No. 110 soft copper.
control plate for the following characteristics:
8. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
10.4.1 Steel—The presence and relative severity of red rust
and pitting.
8.1 Test Specimens—Two pieces of the material to be tested
10.4.2 Aluminum—The presence and relative severity of
shall comprise one specimen
...