ISO 1663:2023
(Main)Rigid cellular plastics — Determination of water vapour transmission properties
Rigid cellular plastics — Determination of water vapour transmission properties
This document specifies a method of determining the water vapour transmission rate, water vapour permeance, water vapour permeability and water vapour diffusion resistance index for rigid cellular plastics. This method is applicable for the testing of rigid cellular materials that have thicknesses from 10 mm upwards and can, as an integral part of the material, contain natural skins or adhered facings of some different material. Three different sets of temperature and humidity conditions are provided, as follows: a) 38 °C and a relative-humidity gradient across the test specimen of 0 % to 88 % b) 23 °C and a relative-humidity gradient across the test specimen of 0 % to 85 % c) 23 °C and a relative-humidity gradient across the test specimen of 0 % to of 50 % The results obtained by this method are suitable for design purposes and production control, and for inclusion in product specifications. The method is suitable for materials which have water vapour transmission rates in the range 3 µg/(m2⋅s) to 1 400 µg/(m2⋅s).
Plastiques alvéolaires rigides — Détermination des propriétés de transmission de la vapeur d'eau
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 1663
Fourth edition
2023-08
Rigid cellular plastics —
Determination of water vapour
transmission properties
Plastiques alvéolaires rigides — Détermination des propriétés de
transmission de la vapeur d'eau
Reference number
ISO 1663:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
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ISO 1663:2023(E)
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ISO 1663:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Apparatus and materials .2
6 Sample . 3
7 Test specimens . 4
7.1 Dimensions . 4
7.1.1 Shape and fit . 4
7.1.2 Thickness . 4
7.1.3 Exposed area. 5
7.2 Number . 5
7.3 Conditioning. 5
8 Procedure .5
9 Expression of results . 7
9.1 Calculation of constant rate of change of mass . 7
9.2 Calculation of water vapour transmission rate. 7
9.3 Uncorrected calculation of water vapour transmission rate . 7
10 Precision . 9
11 Test report . 9
Annex A (normative) Preparation of test assemblies .11
Annex B (informative) Derivation of the formula for calculating the water vapour diffusion
resistance index . .13
Bibliography .16
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ISO 1663:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
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database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all
such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
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www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 10, Cellular
plastics.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 1663:2007), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— in the Scope (Clause 1):
— the unit ng has been changed to µg;
2 2
— the upper limit has been changed from 200 µg/(m ⋅s) to 1 400 µg/(m ⋅s);
— Clause 9 has been modified as follows:
— 9.2, "Blank specimen" has been added;
— 9.3.2 "Corrections" has been added;
— in 9.5, Formula (8) has been modified;
— in Clause 11, a new item (k) has been added;
— Formula (B.8) has been modified.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1663:2023(E)
Rigid cellular plastics — Determination of water vapour
transmission properties
1 Scope
This document specifies a method of determining the water vapour transmission rate, water vapour
permeance, water vapour permeability and water vapour diffusion resistance index for rigid cellular
plastics.
This method is applicable for the testing of rigid cellular materials that have thicknesses from 10 mm
upwards and can, as an integral part of the material, contain natural skins or adhered facings of some
different material.
Three different sets of temperature and humidity conditions are provided, as follows:
a) 38 °C and a relative-humidity gradient across the test specimen of 0 % to 88 %
b) 23 °C and a relative-humidity gradient across the test specimen of 0 % to 85 %
c) 23 °C and a relative-humidity gradient across the test specimen of 0 % to of 50 %
The results obtained by this method are suitable for design purposes and production control, and for
inclusion in product specifications.
The method is suitable for materials which have water vapour transmission rates in the range 3 µg/
2 2
(m ⋅s) to 1 400 µg/(m ⋅s).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 291, Plastics — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
ISO 1923, Cellular plastics and rubbers — Determination of linear dimensions
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
water vapour transmission rate
quantity of water vapour transmitted through unit area of a test specimen in unit time under specified
conditions of temperature, humidity, and thickness
−2 −1
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in micrograms per square metre per second (µg⋅m ⋅s ).
Note 2 to entry: The values obtained for the water vapour transmission rate are specific to the thickness of the
test specimen.
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ISO 1663:2023(E)
3.2
water vapour permeance
ratio of the water vapour transmission rate (3.1) for a test specimen to the vapour pressure difference
between the two specimen faces during the test
−2 −1 −1
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in nanograms per square metre per second per pascal (ng⋅m ⋅s ⋅Pa ).
Note 2 to entry: Water vapour permeance values are specific to the thickness at which the specimen was tested.
3.3
water vapour permeability
numerical value of the product of permeance and thickness
Note 1 to entry: It is the quantity of water vapour transmitted per unit time through a given area of the material
per unit vapour pressure difference between its faces for a unit thickness.
−1 −1 −1
Note 2 to entry: It is expressed in nanograms per metre per second per pascal (ng⋅m ⋅s ⋅Pa ).
Note 3 to entry: For homogeneous materials, values obtained for water vapour permeability are a property of the
material.
3.4
water vapour diffusion resistance index
ratio of the water vapour permeability (3.4) of air to that of the material concerned
Note 1 to entry: It indicates how much less permeable the material is than an equally thick layer of stationary air
at the same temperature.
Note 2 to entry: It is dimensionless.
Note 3 to entry: For homogeneous materials, values obtained for water vapour diffusion resistance index are a
property of the material.
4 Principle
A test specimen is sealed to the open mouth of a test dish containing a desiccant. The assembly is then
placed in an atmosphere whose temperature and humidity are controlled. Periodic weighing of the
assembly is made to determine the rate of water vapour transmission through the specimen into the
desiccant.
5 Apparatus and materials
5.1 Shallow circular open containers, made of a material impermeable to water vapour, such as
glass or metal, of 65 mm minimum diameter and with tops slightly belled out to admit a wax seal. See
Annex A for typical assemblies and 5.3 for assemblies requiring a template.
5.2 Measuring instruments, capable of determining linear dimensions in accordance with the
requirements of ISO 1923.
5.3 Circular template (with edge tapered to facilitate removal after use), to duplicate the exposed
2
area of the specimen to the nearest 0,1 cm . The template shall have an area that is at least 90 % of the
exposed surface of the specimen to reduce the edge effect due to a non-linear vapour seal.
5.4 Pot or dish, for melting the sealant wax (5.8).
5.5 Analytical balance, capable of weighing the test assembly to an accuracy of 0,1 mg.
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ISO 1663:2023(E)
5.6 Constant-temperature, constant-humidity chamber, capable of being maintained within ±5 %
of the required relative humidity and within ±1 °C of the required temperature, and with a provision
for continuous monitoring of the temperature and humidity during the test period. The chamber may
be a room. Alternatively, if the chamber corresponds to that shown in Figure 1, then the air circulation
shall be capable of being switched off to permit accurate weighing.
NOTE If a conditioned room is used for the test, then it is not necessary to use the chamber shown in Figure 1.
5.7 The following solutions can be used with non-injection-type humidity cabinets:
5.7.1 For testing at 38 °C and a relative humidity of 88 %: saturated potassium nitrate solution
containing a large excess of the undissolved salt at 38 °C.
5.7.2 For testing at 23 °C and a relative humidity of 85 %: saturated chloride solution containing a
large excess of the undissolved salt at 23 °C.
NOTE For testing at 23 °C and a relative humidity of 50 %, there is no suitable salt which meets the tolerance
required by 8.1.
5.8 Sealant wax, unaffected by the test conditions. The following are examples of suitable sealants:
5.8.1 A mixture of 90 % microcrystalline wax and 10 % of a plasticizer (for example low-molecular-
mass polyisobutylene).
5.8.2 A mixture of 60 % microcrystalline wax and 40 % refined crystalline paraffin.
5.9 Anydrous calcium chloride desiccant, with particles about 5 mm in diameter, free from fines,
which would pass a No. 30 (600 µm) sieve.
5.10 Limiting ring, for use with thin specimens (see Figure A.1).
6 Sample
The sample shall be representative of the material. It may contain the natural skin or facings adhered to
it which constitute part of the material.
Some cellular plastics have skins of a density significantly different from that of the core material. If
it is intended to determine the permeability of the material, the specimen shall be homogeneous and
tested without the skin and facing.
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ISO 1663:2023(E)
Key
1 controlled-environment test chamber with “glove box” type access door
2 balance
3 suspended weighing platform
4 test assembly during weighing
Figure 1 — Recommended specimen exposure and measurement when operator cannot enter
controlled environment
7 Test specimens
7.1 Dimensions
7.1.1 Shape and fit
Specimens shall be cut to fit the dimensions of the test assembly used (see Annex A).
7.1.2 Thickness
The thickness of specimens shall not be less than 10 mm, except for materials produced thinner
than 10 mm which shall be tested at the manufactured thickness. A specimen thickness of 25 mm is
preferred.
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ISO 1663:2023(
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