ASTM C578-00

Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties, and dimensions of cellular polystyrene intended for use as thermal insulation for temperatures from -65 to +165°F (-53.9 to +73.9°C). This specification does not cover cryogenic applications. Consult the manufacturer for specific recommendations and properties in cryogenic conditions.
1.2 The use of thermal insulation materials covered by this specification may be regulated by building codes that address fire performance. For some end uses, specifiers should also address the effect of moisture. Guidelines regarding these end use considerations are included in Appendix X1.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.4 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-Nov-2001
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• ICS: 91.100.60 - Thermal and sound insulating materials
• Technical Committee: C16 - Thermal Insulation
• Drafting Committee: C16.22 - Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C578-95 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM C578-01 - Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D6817/D6817M-17(2021) - Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1774-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1696-20 - Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1558-19 - Standard Guide for Development of Standard Data Records for Computerization of Thermal Transmission Test Data for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D5635/D5635M-18(2022) - Standard Test Method for Dynamic Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1063-23 - Standard Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring to Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based Plaster
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D7793-21 - Standard Specification for Insulated Vinyl Siding
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C898/C898M-09(2017) - Standard Guide for Use of High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane with Separate Wearing Course
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2634-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D7446-09(2017) - Standard Specification for Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Adhesives for Laminating Oriented Strand Board (OSB) to Rigid Cellular Polystryene Thermal Insulation Core Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2568-17a - Standard Specification for PB Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C926-23 - Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM C1303/C1303M-22 - Standard Test Method for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Resistance of Closed-Cell Foam Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001

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 578 – 00
Standard Specification for
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Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 578; 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.
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1. Scope for Structural Sandwich Constructions
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C 303 Test Method for Density of Preformed Block-Type
1.1 This specification covers the types, physical properties,
3
Thermal Insulation
and dimensions of cellular polystyrene intended for use as
C 390 Criteria for Sampling and Acceptance of Preformed
thermal insulation for temperatures from − 65 to + 165°F
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Thermal Insulation Lots
(−53.9 to + 73.9°C). This specification does not cover cryo-
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
genic applications. Consult the manufacturer for specific rec-
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
ommendations and properties in cryogenic conditions.
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the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
1.2 The use of thermal insulation materials covered by this
C 550 Test Method for Measuring Trueness and Squareness
specification may be regulated by building codes that address
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of Rigid Block and Board Thermal Insulation
fire performance. For some end uses, specifiers should also
C 870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma-
address the effect of moisture. Guidelines regarding these end
3
terials
use considerations are included in Appendix X1.
C 1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3
Properties from Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
C 1058 Practice for Selecting Temperatures for Reporting
for information only.
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and Evaluating Thermal Properties of Thermal Insulation
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
C 1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3
Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
C 1363 Test Method for the Thermal Performance of Build-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3
ing Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
D 1600 Terminology Relating to Abbreviated Terms Relat-
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2. Referenced Documents
ing to Plastics
D 1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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Cellular Plastics
C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
3
D 1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
of Thermal Insulations
5
Plastics
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulating Materi-
3
D 2126 Test Method for Response of Rigid Cellular Plastics
als
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to Thermal and Humid Aging
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
D 2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
3
Concentration to Support Candle-like Combustion of Plas-
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
6
tics (Oxygen Index)
C 203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural
3
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Properties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
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Building Materials
C 272 Test Method for Water Absorption of Core Materials
E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
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rials
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E 176 Terminology Related to Fire Standards
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C 16.22 on
3. Terminology
Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations.
3.1 Definitions:
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published February 2001. Originally
published as C 578 – 65T. Last previous edition C 578 – 95.
2
This specification is similar to ISO 4898-1984, “Cellular Plastics—
Specification for Rigid Cellular Materials Used in the Thermal Insulation of
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Buildings,” in title only. The scope and technical content are significantly different. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.03.
5
ISO standards are available from ANSI, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th Floor, New York, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
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NY 10036. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
3 7
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.
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C 578
3.1.1 Terms used in this specification are defined in Termi- 5.1.9 Tapered Insulation—
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