Designation: C 447 – 85 (Reapproved 2001)e1

Standard Practice for

Estimating the Maximum Use Temperature of Thermal
Insulations1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 447; 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.

e1 NOTE—Section 8.2.4 was corrected in August 2001.

1. Scope C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-

1.1 This practice covers estimation of the maximum use ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
temperature of thermal insulation including loose fill, blanket, the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus2
block, board, and preformed pipe insulation. It is based upon C 569 Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Preformed
selected performance criteria, and characterization of product Thermal Insulations3
properties during and after use conditions. D 1621 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the Cellular Plastics4
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D 1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Plastics4
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3. Terminology
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 Definitions C 168 shall apply to the terms used in this
2. Referenced Documents practice.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4. Summary of Practice
C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
of Thermal Insulations2 4.1 Dimensions, weight and other pertinent properties of the
C 167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket insulation are measured before, during, and after exposure to a
or Batt Thermal Insulations2 hot surface.
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation2 4.2 Properties during and after exposure, and, in some cases,
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure- the degree of change in properties are reported for use in
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of establishing the maximum service temperature of the insulation
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus2 material.
C 203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Prop- 5. Significance and Use
erties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation2
C 302 Test Method for Density of Preformed Pipe- 5.1 This practice is intended for use as a guide in evaluating
Covering-Type Thermal Insulation2 the behavior of insulations at elevated temperatures, and in
C 303 Test Method for Density of Preformed Block-Type judging suitability for use under the conditions of an intended
Thermal Insulation2 application. It is not intended for acceptance or certification
C 335 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Proper- testing on a lot basis.
ties of Horizontal Pipe Insulation2 5.2 No single test for estimating maximum use temperature
C 411 Test Method for Hot-Surface Performance of High- can be used that will apply to all types of insulations, nor can
Temperature Thermal Insulation2 any single maximum use temperature be applied to any
C 421 Test Method for Tumbling Friability of Preformed insulation that will be applicable under all possible conditions
Block-Type Thermal Insulation2 of use. Maximum use temperature may depend on thickness,
C 446 Test Method for Breaking Load and Calculated temperature gradient, heating rate, and other factors. When the
Modulus of Rupture of Preformed Insulation for Pipes2 various test methods listed herein are employed, the test results
serve as guides and, as such, must be applied with good
engineering judgment in arriving at an acceptable temperature
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal limit for the products and applications being considered.
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.31 on Chemical and
Physical Properties.
Current edition approved March 29, 1985. Published May 1985. Originally
3
published as C447 – 59 T. Last previous edition C447 – 76 (1982). Discontinued—See 1988 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 447
5.3 The criteria used to establish acceptable performance 6. Test Conditions
should be as provided in the material specification or as agreed 6.1 It is recommended that testing begin at the hot face
upon between the purchaser and seller. temperature of the desired application or that claimed as the
5.4 In most cases, the properties covered by the applicable maximum use temperature. If there has been significant dete-
material standards (for example, thermal transmission, rioration of the properties tested during or after exposure at the
strength, etc.) are the properties important to the end use of the maximum hot face temperature, additional specimens may be
product. Major changes in those properties resulting from exposed at lower temperatures (third or quarter points of the
in-service conditions can cause failure or substandard perfor- temperature range from ambient to maximum) to establish the
mance of the installed system. critical temperature. Additional tests should be made until
5.5 Unless removal and reuse of the insulation is an impor- enough data have been obtained to establish acceptable perfor-
tant consideration, properties that relate primarily to handling mance.
and installation should be eliminated from the evaluation. 6.2 The criteria necessary to establish acceptable perfor-
mance by any of the methods described should be as provided
NOTE 1—Installation assemblies: some systems may create conditions
in the material specification or as agreed upon between the
that will affect the performance from the data obtained in the test
procedures of this practice. purchaser and seller. For example, a minimum value of
compressive strength or a maximum percent dimensional
5.6 The listing of a test procedure in this practice does not change might be specified as the criterion for estimating the
imply that the performance of that particular procedure is maximum use temperature.
required. Only those tests should be performed which are 6.3 With anisotropic materials that are produced initially in
relevant to the requirements of the application involved, or large cross-sections and mechanically fabricated in subsequent
which are agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller. operations to produce boards or preformed pipe insulation, it is
5.7 Most of the changes that occur in the functionally advisable to examine properties of interest in all three axes.
important characteristics of all types of thermal insulation 6.4 Since soaking heat exposure seldom occurs under “as
during service result from changes in the matrix or binder installed” conditions, and such exposure will produce maxi-
system first, followed by changes in the bulk filler materials mum change results that may be misleading, it is recommended
where such fillers have been used. that samples be conditioned using hotface-coldface methods
5.7.1 In general, these changes are temperature-dependent rather than soaking heat. Soaking heat exposure should be
and the major portion of the change takes place fairly quickly limited to preliminary evaluation and quality control testing.
once the critical temperature has been reached. 6.5 The elevated temperature exposure time required to
5.7.2 Typically, organic thermoplastic materials or binders effect major change may vary with the generic type of product
will change in the 140 to 240°F (60 to 116°C) temperature being tested; however, such change will usually be essentially
range. Thermosetting organic materials or binders will start to complete within 96 h after reaching temperature equilibrium.
deteriorate above 350°F (177°C). Hydrated inorganic binders Preliminary trials should be made to establish the minimum hot
such as clays, portland and lumnite cements, gypsum, sodium surface exposure time required for a particular insulation
silicates, oxysulfates, and oxychlorides will lose varying material. The minimum exposure time has been reached when
amounts of water of crystallization at temperatures from 250 to the property of interest shows no more than expected random
900°F (121 to 482°C) dependent on the compound involved. variations in three consecutive readings taken at three hour
Glass fibers and glass foams may start to sinter around 1000°F intervals.
(538°C). Rock or slag wools, perlites and refractory fibers may 7. Test Specimens
show change at temperatures in excess of 1300°F (704°C)
7.1 The test specimens shall be selected to be representative
dependent on specific composition.
of the material under evaluation. Original surfaces shall be
5.8 If, after testing samples exposed to the maximum retained at least on the hot face of the specimens.
service temperature, additional tests are made of samples 7.2 Other specimen dimensions shall conform to the re-
exposed to intermediate temperatures (third or quarter points in quirements of Test Method C 411. Where further fabrication of
the full service temperature range), the results of such tests, the specimen after exposure is not practical, additional speci-
when plotted with proper curve fit techniques, may give some mens, precut to the required size, may be exposed separately.
indication of changes in product characteristics throughout the
service range. These results may also be used to bracket the 8. Procedure
temperature range within which a change has occurred (sig- 8.1 Hot Surface Performance—Test and report the hot
nificant change in slope of curve). surface performance of the insulation in accordance with Test
5.9 Some properties of thermal insulations containing Method C 411 with the following exceptions and additions.
trapped gases other than air change with time, and at different 8.1.1 The thickness of the test specimens shall be the
rates, depending upon the age, thickness, facing and boundary intended thickness of the application or the manufacturer’s
conditions. Elevated temperature exposure accelerates these recommended minimum and maximum thickness for the test
changes. Changes in properties of these materials may continue temperature. The number of layers of insulation exposed and
over a very long period of time, however, and it is beyond the tested shall be representative of the intended application or the
scope of this recommended practice to establish a minimum manufacturer’s recommendation at the test thickness.
time period for evaluation of these long-term changes. 8.1.2 Unless a specific heat-up period is dictated by the

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 C 447
intended application, included in the material specification or on the test apparatus at the test temperature for the minimum
recommended by the manufacturer, the apparatus shall be period determined in 6.5. Separate hot surface exposure is not
preheated to the test temperature using a blank specimen of required.
similar thermal transmission properties. Once the test tempera-
NOTE 2—Where cyclic operating conditions are anticipated, it may be
ture has been reached, the blank specimen shall be removed prudent to confirm thermal transmission properties at lower temperatures
and the test specimen(s) quickly applied to the hot surface. following exposure to the maximum hot face temperature.
8.1.3 The hot face temperature shall be the service tempera-
ture being evaluated; − 0, + 5 %. 8.3 Other Properties—Test and report the other pertinent
8.1.4 Where specific fastening methods are dictated by the properties of the insulation following hot surface exposure.
material specification, the insulation shall be held against the 8.3.1 Specimens shall be obtained from material exposed in
hot surface by means representing these fastening methods, for accordance with 7.1. Where further fabrication after exposure
example, screws, exterior frames, etc. The attachment method is not possible, additional specimens precut to the required size
should be included in the report. may be exposed separately maintaining the thickness and other
8.1.5 Measure and report the dimensions and weight of the exposure parameters of 7.1.
specimens before and after exposure. Suitable measuring 8.3.2 The full thickness of the exposed specimen shall be
instruments and procedures can be found in Test Methods tested. Where it is impractical to test the specimens at full
C 167, C 303 or D 1622, and C 302 for blankets or felt, block thickness, they may be carefully slit to two or more layers. The
or board, and preformed pipe insulation respectively. Dimen- results of tests on each layer shall be reported separately and
sions, and changes in dimensions, of the hot and cold faces identified as to the original location through the thickness from
shall be measured and reported separately. hot to cold face.
8.1.6 Record the temperature rise during heat-up at 1-in. 8.3.3 Where it is useful to compare the properties of the
(25-mm) increments through the thickness of the specimen as insulation material before and after exposure, the specimens
an indication of endothermic or exothermic reactions within used for“ before exposure” tests shall be of the same size and
the insulation. Temperature shall be recorded continuously, or selected from similar material as those used for the “after
at a maximum interval of 5 min, until equilibrium is reached. exposure” test.
Suitable temperature sensors with a maximum response time of 8.3.4 The following properties may be useful in estimating
1 min and an accuracy of + /− 1 % shall be used. The sensors the suitability of the insulation following exposure to the test
shall be located at the top center of the specimen for preformed service temperature. Additional pertinent properties may also
pipe covering. be found in the applicable material specification or the manu-
8.2 Thermal Transmission Properties—Test and report the facturer’s literature. The provisions of Section 5 should be
thermal transmission properties of the insulation in accordance considered in selecting properties for test.
with Test Methods C 177 and C 518 for blanket, felt, block or 8.3.4.1 Compression Properties—Test Method C 165 or
board insulation or Test Method C 335 for preformed pipe Test Method D 1621.
insulation. 8.3.4.2 Indentation Hardness—Test Method C 569.
8.2.1 The test thickness shall be 11⁄2 6 1⁄2in. (38 6 13 mm) 8.3.4.3 Flexural Strength—Test Methods C 203, Test
for Test Methods C 177 and C 518. For Test Method C 335 the Method C 446.
test thickness may be adjusted as required to achieve the proper 8.3.4.4 Water/Moisture Absorption/Repellency/
cold face temperature. Wickability—Refer to the appropriate material specification.
8.2.2 The hot face temperature shall be the service tempera- 8.3.4.5 Tumbling Friability—Test Method C 421.
ture being evaluated; − 0, + 5 %.
8.2.3 The cold face temperature shall be representative of 9. Keywords
the intended application or a maximum of 200°F (93°C). 9.1 hot surface performance; maximum use temperature;
8.2.4 Prior to measurement the specimens shall be exposed thermal insulation

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