ASTM's thermal insulation standards are instrumental in specifying and evaluating the materials and methods used to reduce the rate of heat transfer. The flow of heat can be delayed by understanding the conductive, convective, and/or radiative behavior of the material in consideration. Such materials include cements, fiber boards, glass blocks, coatings, and blankets, to name a few. These thermal insulation standards help laboratories, device and equipment manufacturers, construction companies, and industrial firms, and other groups of people that deal with thermal insulating materials and procedures in examining these respective materials for efficiency.

Thermal Insulation Standards

ASTM's thermal insulation standards are instrumental in specifying and evaluating the materials and methods used to reduce the rate of heat transfer. The flow of heat can be delayed by understanding the conductive, convective, and/or radiative behavior of the material in consideration. Such materials include cements, fiber boards, glass blocks, coatings, and blankets, to name a few. These thermal insulation standards help laboratories, device and equipment manufacturers, construction companies, and industrial firms, and other groups of people that deal with thermal insulating materials and procedures in examining these respective materials for efficiency.

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Chemical and Physical Properties

C405-82(1997) Standard Practice for Estimating Consistency of Wet-Mixed Thermal Insulating Cement (Withdrawn 2006)

C870-11(2017) Standard Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Materials

C411-19 Standard Test Method for Hot-Surface Performance of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation

C1485-19 Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using an Electric Radiant Heat Energy Source

C1617-19 Standard Practice for Quantitative Accelerated Laboratory Evaluation of Extraction Solutions Containing Ions Leached from Thermal Insulation on Aqueous Corrosion of Metals

C390-08(2019) Standard Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal Insulation Lots

C1488-04e1 Standard Practice for Simulated Aging of Cellulosic Loose-Fill Insulation (Withdrawn 2013)

C356-22 Standard Test Method for Linear Shrinkage of Preformed High-Temperature Thermal Insulation Subjected to Soaking Heat

C447-15(2022) Standard Practice for Estimating the Maximum Use Temperature of Thermal Insulations

C1338-19(2022) Standard Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of Insulation Materials and Facings

C163-05(2023) Standard Practice for Mixing Thermal Insulating Cement Samples

C166-05(2023) Standard Test Method for Covering Capacity and Volume Change Upon Drying of Thermal Insulating Cement

C692-13(2023) Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Influence of Thermal Insulations on External Stress Corrosion Cracking Tendency of Austenitic Stainless Steel

C871-18(2023) Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Thermal Insulation Materials for Leachable Chloride, Fluoride, Silicate, and Sodium Ions

C1304-23 Standard Test Method for Assessing the Odor Emission of Thermal Insulation Materials

C1936-23 Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness of Mineral-Fiber or Cellulosic-Fiber Insulation by Comparison to Control

Homogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations

C726-17 Standard Specification for Mineral Wool Roof Insulation Board

C450-18 Standard Practice for Fabrication of Thermal Insulating Fitting Covers for NPS Piping, and Vessel Lagging

C449-07(2019) Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Hydraulic-Setting Thermal Insulating and Finishing Cement

C195-07(2019) Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulating Cement

C196-00(2019) Standard Specification for Expanded or Exfoliated Vermiculite Thermal Insulating Cement

C612-14(2019) Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation

C929-14(2019) Standard Practice for Handling, Transporting, Shipping, Storage, Receiving, and Application of Thermal Insulation Materials For Use in Contact with Austenitic Stainless Steel

C1393-19 Standard Specification for Perpendicularly Oriented Mineral Fiber Roll and Sheet Thermal Insulation for Pipes and Tanks

C552-22 Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Thermal Insulation

C585-22 Standard Practice for Inner and Outer Diameters of Thermal Insulation for Nominal Sizes of Pipe and Tubing

C1902-22a Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Insulation Used in Building and Roof Applications

C547-22a Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Pipe Insulation

C533-17(2023) Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation

C610-17(2023) Standard Specification for Molded Expanded Perlite Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation

C656-17(2023) Standard Specification for Structural Insulating Board, Calcium Silicate

C795-08(2023) Standard Specification for Thermal Insulation for Use in Contact with Austenitic Stainless Steel

C1676/C1676M-23 Standard Specification for Microporous Thermal Insulation

Insulation Finishes and Moisture

C1104/C1104M-19 Standard Test Method for Determining the Water Vapor Sorption of Unfaced Mineral Fiber Insulation

C1794-19 Standard Test Methods for Determination of the Water Absorption Coefficient by Partial Immersion

C921-10(2015) Standard Practice for Determining the Properties of Jacketing Materials for Thermal Insulation (Withdrawn 2021)

C1785-17 Standard Test Method for Concentration of Pinhole Detections in Moisture Barriers on Metal Jacketing

C1616-07(2018) Standard Test Method for Determining the Moisture Content of Organic and Inorganic Insulation Materials by Weight

C647-19 Standard Guide to Properties and Tests of Mastics and Coating Finishes for Thermal Insulation

C1878-19 Standard Test Method for Surface Water Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation

C755-20 Standard Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation

C916-20 Standard Specification for Adhesives for Duct Thermal Insulation

C419-20 Standard Practice for Making and Curing Test Specimens of Mastic Thermal Insulation Coatings

C1258-21a Standard Test Method for Elevated Temperature and Humidity Resistance of Vapor Retarders for Insulation

C1511-15(2021) Standard Test Method for Determining the Water Retention (Repellency) Characteristics of Fibrous Glass Insulation (Aircraft Type)

C1559-15(2021) Standard Test Method for Determining Wicking of Fibrous Glass Blanket Insulation (Aircraft Type)

C1763-20 Standard Test Method for Water Absorption by Immersion of Thermal Insulation Materials

C1512-10(2020) Standard Test Method for Characterizing the Effect of Exposure to Environmental Cycling on Thermal Performance of Insulation Products

C1263-95(2021) Standard Test Method for Thermal Integrity of Flexible Water Vapor Retarders

C1918-21 Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulation Materials after Immersion and Exposure to Drying Conditions

C1136-23 Standard Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation

C1134-23 Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Rigid Thermal Insulations Following Partial Immersion

C1498-04a(2023) Standard Test Method for Hygroscopic Sorption Isotherms of Building Materials

C1699-09(2023) Standard Test Method for Moisture Retention Curves of Porous Building Materials Using Pressure Plates

C461-23 Standard Test Methods for Mastics and Coatings Used With Thermal Insulation

C488-16(2023) Standard Test Method for Conducting Exterior Exposure Tests of Finishes for Thermal Insulation

E96/E96M-23 Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials

Insulation Systems

C1822-21 Standard Specification for Insulating Covers on Accessible Lavatory Piping

C1423-21 Standard Guide for Selecting Jacketing Materials for Thermal Insulation

C1847-21 Standard Specification for Direct Buried Pre-Insulated and Jacketed Polyurethane Bonded Low Temperature Hot Water Piping Systems

C1729M-21 Standard Specification for Aluminum Jacketing for Insulation

C1767-21 Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Jacketing for Insulation

C1729-21 Standard Specification for Aluminum Jacketing for Insulation

C1767M-21 Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Jacketing for Insulation

C1409-12(2018) Standard Guide for Measuring and Estimating Quantities of Insulated Piping and Components

C1146-09(2018) Standard Guide for Prefabricated Panel and H-bar Insulation Systems for Vessels, Ducts and Equipment Operating at Temperatures Above Ambient Air

C930-19 Standard Classification of Potential Health and Safety Concerns Associated With Thermal Insulation Materials and Accessories

C1639-19 Standard Specification for Fabrication Of Cellular Glass Pipe And Tubing Insulation

C740/C740M-13(2019) Standard Guide for Evacuated Reflective Insulation In Cryogenic Service

C1809-20 Standard Practice for Preparation of Specimens and Reporting of Results for Permeance Testing of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Sealed Joints in Insulation Vapor Retarders

C1696-20 Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems

C1916-21 Standard Specification for Flexible Protective Jackets Made of Modified Asphalt/Butyl Rubber for Use over Thermal Insulation

C1094-01(2006) Standard Guide for Flexible Removable Insulation Covers (Withdrawn 2010)

C846-16(2021) Standard Practice for Application of Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board for Wall Sheathing

C1775-22 Standard Specification for Laminate Protective Jacket and Tape for Use over Thermal Insulation for Outdoor Applications

C1710-22 Standard Guide for Installation of Flexible Closed Cell Preformed Insulation in Tube and Sheet Form

C667-17(2022) Standard Specification for Prefabricated Reflective Insulation Systems for Equipment and Pipe Operating at Temperatures above Ambient Air

C1695-22 Standard Specification for Fabrication of Flexible Removable and Reusable Blanket Insulation for Hot Service

C945-05(2023) Standard Practice for Design Considerations and Spray Application of a Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Insulation System on Outdoor Service Vessels

C950/C950M-08(2023) Standard Practice for Repair of a Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Insulation System on Outdoor Service Vessels

C1848-17a(2023) Standard Practice for Installation of High-Pressure Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation for the Building Enclosure

C1879-23 Standard Practice for Installation of Aluminum and Stainless Steel Jacketing over Thermal Insulation on Pipe and Rigid Tubing

C1917-23 Standard Specification for Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Jacketing for Insulation

Mechanical Properties

C303-21 Standard Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation

C240-21 Standard Test Methods for Testing Cellular Glass Insulation Block

C1574-04(2018) Standard Guide for Determining Blown Density of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulation

C421-08(2020) Standard Test Method for Tumbling Friability of Preformed Block-Type and Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation

C209-20 Standard Test Methods for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board

C520-15(2020) Standard Test Methods for Density of Granular Loose Fill Insulations

C550-15(2020) Standard Test Method for Measuring Trueness and Squareness of Rigid Block and Board Thermal Insulation

C302-13(2022) Standard Test Method for Density and Dimensions of Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation

C203-22 Standard Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Properties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation

C354-97 Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Thermal Insulating or Finishing Cement (Withdrawn 2002)

C383-97 Standard Test Method for Wet Adhesion of Thermal Insulating Cements to Metal (Withdrawn 2002)

C446-88(1993)e1 Standard Test Method for Breaking Load and Calculated Modulus of Rupture of Preformed Insulation for Pipes (Withdrawn 2002)

C353-97 Standard Test Method for Adhesion of Dried Thermal Insulating or Finishing Cement (Withdrawn 2002)

C167-22 Standard Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or Batt Thermal Insulations

C165-23 Standard Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations

C686-17(2023) Standard Test Method for Parting Strength of Mineral Fiber Batt- and Blanket-Type Insulation

C1374-18(2023) Standard Test Method for Determination of Installed Thickness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insulation

C1335-23 Standard Test Method for Measuring Non-Fibrous Content of Man-Made Rock and Slag Mineral Fiber Insulation

C1101/C1101M-23 Standard Test Methods for Classifying the Flexibility or Rigidity of Mineral Fiber Blanket and Board Insulation

Reflective Insulation

C1744-19 Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Commercial/Industrial Building Construction

C1743-19 Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Residential Building Construction

C1313/C1313M-13(2019) Standard Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building Construction Applications

C727-19 Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Reflective Insulation in Building Constructions

C1321-15(2020) Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems (IRCCS) in Building Construction

C1340/C1340M-10(2021) Standard Practice for Estimation of Heat Gain or Loss Through Ceilings Under Attics Containing Radiant Barriers by Use of a Computer Program

C1668-20 Standard Specification for Externally Applied Reflective Insulation Systems on Rigid Duct in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems

C1158-05 Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Building Construction

C1483/C1483M-17(2022) Standard Specification for Exterior Solar Radiation Control Coatings on Buildings

C1224-22 Standard Specification for Reflective Insulation for Building Applications

C1841-23 Standard Specification for Interior Radiation Control Coating (IRCC) for Building Applications

Terminology

C168-22 Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation

Thermal Measurement

C236-89(1993)e1 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Performance of Building Assemblies by Means of a Guarded Hot Box (Withdrawn 2001)

C1363-19 Standard Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus

C745-92(1999) Standard Test Method for Heat Flux Through Evacuated Insulations Using a Guarded Flat Plate Boiloff Calorimeter (Withdrawn 2008)

C653-17 Standard Guide for Determination of the Thermal Resistance of Low-Density Blanket-Type Mineral Fiber Insulation

C1129-17 Standard Practice for Estimation of Heat Savings by Adding Thermal Insulation to Bare Valves and Flanges

C687-18 Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Loose-Fill Building Insulation

C1558-19 Standard Guide for Development of Standard Data Records for Computerization of Thermal Transmission Test Data for Thermal Insulation

C1043-19 Standard Practice for Guarded-Hot-Plate Design Using Circular Line-Heat Sources

C1114-06(2019) Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus

C1045-19 Standard Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Properties Under Steady-State Conditions

C1774-13(2019) Standard Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Cryogenic Insulation Systems

C835-06(2020) Standard Test Method for Total Hemispherical Emittance of Surfaces up to 1400°C

C518-21 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus

C1055-20 Standard Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries

C1130-21 Standard Practice for Calibration of Thin Heat Flux Transducers

C1784-20 Standard Test Method for Using a Heat Flow Meter Apparatus for Measuring Thermal Storage Properties of Phase Change Materials and Products

C1046-95(2021) Standard Practice for In-Situ Measurement of Heat Flux and Temperature on Building Envelope Components

C1155-95(2021) Standard Practice for Determining Thermal Resistance of Building Envelope Components from the In-Situ Data

C1033-85(2000) Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Properties of Pipe Insulation Installed Vertically (Withdrawn 2003)

C1041-10 Standard Practice for In-Situ Measurements of Heat Flux in Industrial Thermal Insulation Using Heat Flux Transducers (Withdrawn 2019)

C351-92b(1999)e1 Standard Test Method for Mean Specific Heat of Thermal Insulation (Withdrawn 2008)

C1044-16(2020) Standard Practice for Using a Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus or Thin-Heater Apparatus in the Single-Sided Mode

C1199-22 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Steady-State Thermal Transmittance of Fenestration Systems Using Hot Box Methods

C1057-22 Standard Practice for Determination of Skin Contact Temperature from Heated Surfaces Using a Mathematical Model and Thermesthesiometer

C1371-15(2022) Standard Test Method for Determination of Emittance of Materials Near Room Temperature Using Portable Emissometers

C1549-16(2022) Standard Test Method for Determination of Solar Reflectance Near Ambient Temperature Using a Portable Solar Reflectometer

C1864-17(2022) Standard Test Method for Determination of Solar Reflectance of Directionally Reflective Material Using Portable Solar Reflectometer

C976-90(1996)e1 Standard Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Assemblies by Means of a Calibrated Hot Box (Withdrawn 2002)

C1132-95 Standard Practice for Calibration of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus (Withdrawn 2002)

C1919-22 Standard Practice for Measurement of the Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties of Small Specimens Using the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus

C177-19e1 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus

C1060-23 Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings

C1058/C1058M-10(2023) Standard Practice for Selecting Temperatures for Evaluating and Reporting Thermal Properties of Thermal Insulation

C335/C335M-23 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Properties of Pipe Insulation

C1859-23 Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Pneumatically Installed Loose-Fill Building Insulation (Behind Netting) for Enclosed Applications of the Building Thermal Envelope

C1373/C1373M-23 Standard Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of Attic Insulation Systems Under Simulated Winter Conditions

C1153-23 Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging

C1303/C1303M-23 Standard Test Method for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Resistance of Closed-Cell Foam Insulation

C680-23a Standard Practice for Estimate of the Heat Gain or Loss and the Surface Temperatures of Insulated Flat, Cylindrical, and Spherical Systems by Use of Computer Programs

C1667-15(2023) Standard Test Method for Using Heat Flow Meter Apparatus to Measure the Center-of-Panel Thermal Transmission Properties of Vacuum Insulation Panels