ASTM C447-15(2022)

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: C447 − 15 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Practice for
Estimating the Maximum Use Temperature of Thermal
Insulations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C447; 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 C203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Proper-
ties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
1.1 This practice covers estimation of the maximum use
C302 Test Method for Density and Dimensions of Pre-
temperature of thermal insulation including loose fill, blanket,
formed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal Insulation
block, board, and preformed pipe insulation. It is based upon
C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
selected performance criteria, and characterization of product
formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
properties during and after use conditions.
C335/C335M Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Properties of Pipe Insulation
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
C411 Test Method for Hot-Surface Performance of High-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Temperature Thermal Insulation
and are not considered standard.
C421 Test Method for Tumbling Friability of Preformed
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the Block-Type and Preformed Pipe-Covering-Type Thermal
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Insulation
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. D1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Cellular Plastics
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- D1622/D1622M Test Method forApparent Density of Rigid
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Cellular Plastics
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3. Terminology
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1 Definitions contained in Terminology C168 shall be
used in this practice.
2. Referenced Documents
2 4. Summary of Practice
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of
4.1 Dimensions, weight and other pertinent properties of the
Thermal Insulations insulation are measured before, during, and after exposure to a
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or
hot surface.
Batt Thermal Insulations
4.2 Propertiesduringandafterexposure,and,insomecases,
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
the degree of change in properties are reported for use in
C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
establishing the maximum service temperature of the insula-
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
tion.
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice is intended for use as a guide in evaluating
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
the behavior of insulations at elevated temperatures, and in
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.31 on Chemical and
Physical Properties.
judging suitability for use under the conditions of an intended
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally
application. It is not intended for acceptance or certification
approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C447 – 15. DOI:
testing on a lot basis.
10.1520/C0447-15R22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.2 No single test for estimating maximum use temperature
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
can be used that will apply to all types of insulations, nor can
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. any single maximum use temperature be applied to any
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C447 − 15 (2022)
insulation that will be applicable under all possible conditions 5.9 Some properties of thermal insulations containing
of use. Maximum use temperature depends on thickness, trapped gases other than air change with time at different rates
temperature gradient, heating rate, and other factors. When the
depending on the age, thickness, facing and boundary condi-
various test methods listed herein are employed, the test results
tions. Elevated temperature exposure often accelerates these
serve as guides and, as such, shall be applied with good
changes. In many cases changes in properties continue over a
engineering judgment in arriving at an acceptable temperature
very long period of time. It is beyond the scope of this
limit for the products and applications being considered.
recommended practice to establish a minimum time period for
evaluation of long-term changes.
5.3 The criteria used to establish acceptable performance is
provided in the material specification or as agreed upon by the
6. Test Conditions
purchaser and seller.
6.1 If required, testing shall begin at the hot-face tempera-
5.4 In most cases, the properties covered by the applicable
material standards (for example, thermal transmission, tureofthedesiredapplicationorthemaximumusetemperature
strength, and so forth) are the properties important to the end that is claimed. When there has been significant deterioration
use of the product. Major changes in those properties resulting
of the properties tested during or after exposure at the
from in-service conditions often causes failure or substandard maximum hot-face temperature, additional specimens will be
performance of the installed system.
exposed at lower temperatures (third or quarter points of the
temperature range from ambient to maximum) to establish the
5.5 Unless removal and reuse of the insulation is an impor-
maximum hot-face temperature.Additional tests shall be made
tant consideration, properties that relate primarily to handling
until enough data have been obtained to establish acceptable
and installation shall be eliminated from the evaluation.
performance.
NOTE 1—Installation assemblies: some systems create conditions that
6.2 The criteria necessary to establish acceptable perfor-
affect the performance from the data obtained in the test procedures of this
practice.
mance by any of the methods described shall be as provided in
the material specification or as agreed upon between the
5.6 The listing of a test procedure in this practice does not
purchaser and seller. For example, the specification of a
imply that the performance of that particular procedure is
minimum compressive strength or a maximum percent dimen-
required. Only those tests which are relevant to the require-
sional change as criterion for estimating the maximum use
ments of the application involved, or which are agreed upon by
the purchaser and the seller are preformed. temperature.
5.7 Most of the changes that occur in the functionally 6.3 With anisotropic materials that are produced initially in
important characteristics of all types of thermal insulation
large cross-sections and mechanically fabricated in subsequent
during service result from changes in the matrix or binder
operations to produce boards or preformed pipe insulation, it is
system first, followed by changes in the bulk filler materials
advisable to examine properties of interest in all three axes.
where such fillers have been used.
6.4 Since soaking heat exposure seldom occurs under “as
5.7.1 In general, these changes are temperature-dependent
installed” conditions, and such exposure often produces mis-
and the major portion of the change takes place quickly once
leading results test specimens shall be conditioned using
the critical temperature has been reached.
hot-face-/cold-face methods. Limit soaking heat exposure to
5.7.2 Typically, organic thermo
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