ASTM C653-17

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: C653 − 17
Standard Guide for
Determination of the Thermal Resistance of Low-Density
Blanket-Type Mineral Fiber Insulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C653; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope C687Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of
Loose-Fill Building Insulation
1.1 This guide describes the calculation and interpolation of
C1045Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Prop-
a thermal resistance value for low-density blanket-type insula-
erties Under Steady-State Conditions
tion material at a particular density and thickness having been
C1114Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
selected as representative of the product. It requires measured
Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
values of this average density and thickness, as well as
apparentthermalconductivityvaluesdeterminedbyeitherTest
3. Terminology
Method C177, C518,or C1114.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions used in this guide, refer to
1.2 This guide applies to a density range for mineral-fiber
Terminology C168.
3 3
material of roughly 6.4 to 48 kg/m (0.4 to 3.0 lb/ft ). It is
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
primarily intended to apply to low-density, mineral-fiber mass
3.2.1 apparent thermal conductivity, λ—the ratio of the
insulation batts and blankets, exclusive of any membrane
specimen thickness to thermal resistance of the specimen. It is
facings.Apparent thermal conductivity data for these products
calculated as follows:
arecommonlyreportedatameantemperatureof23.9°C(75°F)
andahot-to-coldplatetemperaturedifferenceof27.8°C(50°F)
λ 5 L/R W/m·k or Btu·in./ft ·h·F (1)
~ ! ~ !
or 22.2°C (40°F).
3.2.1.1 Discussion—For this type of material an expression
for the apparent thermal conductivity as a function of density
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
is:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
λ 5 a1bD1c/D (2)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
where a, b, c = parameters characteristic of a product,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and related to the conductivity of the gas, the conductivity
of the solid and the conductivity due to radiation (1).
2. Referenced Documents
3.3 Symbols:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C167Test Methods forThickness and Density of Blanket or
2 2
R = thermal resistance, (m K/W) or (h·ft F/Btu)
Batt Thermal Insulations
λ = apparent thermal conductivity, (W/m·K) or (Btu·in/
C168Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
h·ft F)
C177Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure- 2 2
Q/A = heat flow per unit area, (W/m ) or (Btu/h·ft )
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of 3 3
D = bulk density of a specimen, (kg/m ) or (lb/ft )
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
L = measured specimen thickness, (m) or (in.)
C518Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
T = apparatus plate temperature, (K) or (F)
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
L' = specimen thickness if the sample from which the
specimen is selected does not recover to label
thickness, (m) or (in.)
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
s = estimate of the standard deviation for a set of data
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.30 on Thermal
points
Measurement.
∆ = apparatus systematic error
Current edition approved March 1, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as C653–97 (2012).
Ψ = overall uncertainty in a measured R-value
DOI: 10.1520/C0653-17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C653 − 17
3.3.1 Subscripts: density, D . Density is determined by using Test Method
av
C167; take care to avoid the use of damaged material.
= signifies average of a lot
av
5.2 In order to account for the variation in λ-value due to
= refers to hot surface
H
product density variability, measure a minimum of three “λ
= refers to cold surface
C
versus D” data points on three different samples. This repre-
= refers to test specimen
T
sentsninedatapointsforthe“λversus D”curve.Again,this“λ
= refers to nominal property for the product, as shown on
N
versus D” curve is developed to determine the λ-value at a
the product label
= refers to a set of data points particular representative density characteristic of a lot of
i
= refers to a particular specimen material.
s
5.3 The size of a lot of material to be characterized, the
4. Significance and Use
amount of material measured for the representative values of
4.1 This guide provides a method to determine the thermal
density and thickness, and the frequency of tests all depend on
performance of low-density blanket-type insulation. It may be
theuser’sneeds,whichcouldberelatedtoqualityassuranceby
used for the purposes of quality assurance, certification, or
a manufacturer, certification, or research.
research.
4.2 The thermal resistance of low-density insulation de- 6. Procedure
pends significantly on the density, the thickness, and thermal
6.1 This procedure uses nine {λ; D} data points all
i i
conductivity. Typical low-density, mineral-fiber insulation for
measured at the same hot and cold plate temperatures, to
buildings may vary in density from one specimen to the next.
establish an interpolation equation for the determination of the
4.3 Thermal tests are time-consuming in comparison with λ-value at the average density, D . That is, the subscript i
av
th
density and thickness measurements. Low-density insulation refers to the i test point. The D is the average density of the
I
material is produced in large quantities.Atypical lot would be specimen within the apparatus meter-area. The thermal resis-
a truckload or the amount necessary to insulate a house. tance at L and D is as follows:
av av
4.4 The relatively low unit cost of this product and the R 5 L /λ (3)
av av av
relatively high cost of thermal resistance testing makes it
6.2 Before the set of “apparent thermal conductivity versus
cost-effective to test only a small percentage of the product
test density (λ versus D)” data points can be measured on an
i i
area. It is recommended that there be a determination of the
apparatus, it is necessary to choose the test densities and
densitythatisrepresentativeofalotbythemeasurementofthe
thicknesses. Three procedures for this choice are described in
average density of a statistically representative sampling.
Annex A1.
4.5 Afewernumberofthermalmeasurementsarethenmade 6.2.1 Procedure A—Asingletestspecimeniscompressedto
obtain different densities (A1.2). This procedure offers the
to determine the apparent thermal conductivity at the previ-
ously determined representative density. The essential signifi- advantage of less test time to obtain three test points.
canceofthisguideisthatalargelotofvariablematerialisbest 6.2.2 Procedure B—A different specimen is used for each
characterized by: (a) determining the representative density, test point (A1.3). This method has the advantage of a better
statistical sampling with regard to material variability.
and by (b) determining the thermal property at this represen-
tative density with a small number of thermal measurements. 6.2.3 Procedure C—Testat D therebyeliminatingtheneed
av
for an interpolation (A1.4).
4.6 Building insulation products are commonly manufac-
turedinthicknessesrangingfrom19to330mm(0.75to13in.) 6.3 Obtain a test value for λ at each of the three densities.
inclusive. Experimental work has verified that there is a These three sets of test values result in three equations of the
dependence of λ on thickness for some low density materi- form of Eq 2 in 3.2.1. These are solved simultaneously to
app
als. determine the values of a , b , and c corresponding to
s s s
specimen s (see A2.1.2).
4.7 The upper limit of test thickness for specimens evalu-
atedusingTestMethodsC177,C518,and C1114isestablished
NOTE 1—Small errors in the measured values of λ will result in large
variations in the values of a, b, and c. Even so, the uncertainty of the
based upon the apparatus design, overall dimensions, expected
interpolated value of λ will be comparable to the measured error in λ.
thermal resistivity level and desired target accuracy. The
testing organization is responsible for applying these restric- 6.4 Whenever possible, calculate running averages for the
tions when evaluating a product to ensure that the results meet
specific product lot based on a number N equal to 20 or more
applicable product labels and any existing regulatory require- sets of product curve parameters (a;b;c ). Remember from
s s s
ments (2).
6.3 that each of these sets requires three test points (see
A2.1.3).
4.8 Extrapolation of the apparent thermal conductivity or
6.4.1 A larger number N results in more consistent values
the thermal resistance beyond the ranges of thickness or
for a, b,and c;asmaller Nrepresentsamorecurrentdatabase.
density of products tested is not valid.
6.5 In 6.3 a set of parameter values was calculated, and in
5. Sampling
6.4 a running average was calculated. This section describes
5.1 For low-density mineral-fiber insulation, a lot sample how to obtain an interpolation curve (or equivalently a set of
size of 75 to 150 ft is recommended to determine the average interpolation curve parameters) for the next sample, s, when it
C653 − 17
has been possible to previously obtain a running average set, 8.5 The material variability is partly taken into account by
¯ ¯
(a¯; b; c¯). The given values are the set {a¯; b; c¯} and the the λversus Dcurve.Whendifferentspecimensaretestedthere
measured values of λ at three densities, D. will be an amount of variation about the average λ versus D
i i
curve in addition to the apparatus precision. This additional
NOTE2—Parameter cisexpectedtoaccountformostofthevariationin
variation is here called the material variability and is desig-
the “λ versus D” curve from specimen to specimen. When the density is
3 3
nated by s .
less than 16 kg/m (1 lb/ft ), c is the dominant parameter causing the
m
variance of λ from specimen to specimen.Then the previously determined
8.6 The total “repeatability” uncertainty on a λ versus D
values, a¯, and b are used, along with a measurement of λ at a particular
graph will be the sum of the aforementioned uncertainties and
density, to calculate a value of c for a particular specimen, s. In order to
is designated by s .
have a better estimate of the mean, the value of c is thusly determined for
λ
three values of density resulting in the value c¯ . The interpolation to the λ
s 2 2 0.5
s 5 ~s 1s ! (6)
λ a m
value at the average density, D , is calculated as follows, using Eq 3.
av
8.7 In order to know what s is, it is necessary to plot a
λ
¯
λ 5 a¯ 1bD 1c¯ /D (4)
s av s av
number of λ versus D test points. Twenty or more points are
recommended.Itisthenpossibletodeterminebyagraphicalor
An example of this calculation is in A2.1.4
a mathematical method (see Annex A3) what is the 1s band
¯
6.6 Compute the average value of λ based on as many
av
within which 68% of the points lie or what is the 2s band
values of λ that have been determined. Remember from 6.3
s
within which 95% of the points lie.
and 6.5 that three test points are required to obtain a value for
¯
8.8 When more than one apparatus is used to develop the λ
λ . Common practice is to base an average λ on three values
av av
versus D curve, there will be a difference between the average
of λ .
s
values on the same set of specimens due to a systematic
6.7 Calculate the R-value, R , of the product at the average
av
difference among the apparatus.
density and thickness (see Section 5 and A1.1) as follows:
8.9 The measured data from an apparatus have associated
R 5 L /λ (5)
av T av
with it an estimate of the possible systematic error in λ of that
7. Report apparatus. It is designated by ∆ and is provided as input from
λ
Test Method C177, C518,or C1114.
7.1 The report shall contain the following information:
7.1.1 The values of the average thermal resistance, density 8.10 Forthepurposesofthisguidetheoverallaccuracy, Ψ ,
λ
of the reported λ-value is the sum of the overall repeatability
and thickness, the sample size, and the supporting data.
7.1.2 The test methods used and the information on the (1s for a 68% confidence band) and the apparatus systematic
error.
values and uncertainties of apparent thermal conductivity and
density that is required in Test Method C167, C177, C518,or
Ψ 5 s 1∆ (7)
λ λ λ
C1114.
8.11 The percent “precision and bias” uncertainties in the
7.1.3 The procedure used to obtain the λ versus D curve
reported R-value is calculated as follows, based on Eq 1:
along with the equation for the curve itself.
R 5 L /λ (8)
av T av
8. Precision and Bias
8.11.1 Theestimateoftheresidualstandarddeviationof L
av
8.1 There are a number of ways to combine the systematic
and λ is made by statistical methods (see Annex A3). The
av
and random uncertainties that contribute to an overall uncer-
percent residual standard deviation in the reported R-value is
tainty of a measured quantity. The following procedure is
then:
intended as a guideline.
2 2 0.5
s s s
R L λ
8.2 The term precision is used in this guide in the sense of
5 1 (9)
S D
2 2
R L λ
av T r
repeatability. The estimation of the standard deviation, s, for a
set of measurements with a normal distribution is the plus and 8.11.2 In order to calculate the percent bias uncertainty in
minus range about an average value or curve, within which R , it is necessary to obtain from Test Method C167 the
v
68% of the observations lie. The s is used to quantify the estimate of systematic uncertainty in the measurement of L .
av
precision. This is of the order of the resolution of the measurement
device, and it is designated here by ∆ . For the purpose of this
L
8.3 The term bias as used in this
...