ASTM_C_1574_-_04_2013.pdf

Designation:C157404(Reapproved 2013)Standard Guide forDetermining Blown Density of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulation1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1574;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide describes two alternate procedures for deter-mining blown density at a predetermined thickness or a rangeof thicknesses expected in field applications of mineral fiberloose-fill insulation.1.2 This guide involves blowing a sample of loose-fillinsulation into a test frame of known volume,measuring theweight of the insulation captured and calculating the blowndensity.1.3 This guide is intended for pneumatically-applied loose-fill mineral fiber insulation designed for use in horizontal openattic spaces.1.4 This guide is intended for product design and productauditing by manufacturers of loose-fill insulation.This guide isadaptable as a plant quality control procedure.1.5 This guide does not predict the aged density of themineral fiber loose-fill insulation.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all the safetyconcerns,if any,associated with its use.It is the responsibilityof the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety andhealth practices and to determine the applicability of regula-tory limitations prior to use.1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal InsulationC1374 Test Method for Determination of Installed Thick-ness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insu-lation3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsTerminology C168 is applicable to theterms used in this standard.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 Variable blown densitychange in density exhibitedby loose-fill insulation as a function of thickness.3.2.1.1 DiscussionSome loose-fill insulation materials ex-hibit an increase in blown density when thickness increases.Also,the original thickness may or may not decrease with timeresulting in the same or somewhat higher densities.Thisthickness vs density relationship should be considered whendeveloping coverage information for the bag label.4.Significance and Use4.1 Blown density is used to develop loose-fill coveragecharts.Data for blown density vs thickness is used in thedevelopment of a variable blown density presentation forloose-fill insulation.4.2 Thermal resistance(and conductivity)of loose-fill min-eral fiber insulation depends on density and thickness.Theresulting blown density data is useful in developing an expres-sion for apparent thermal conductivity as a function of density.This will in turn aid the manufacturer in developing coverageinformation for packages of loose-fill insulation.4.3 The blown density obtained in this method is for thethickness of the test only.The relationship of blown densitywith thickness can be determined by repeating the proceduresoutlined here using different thicknesses.4.4 These procedures are not the same as the test methoddescribed in Test Method C1374.Depending on the testconditions utilized,the blown density may,or may not,represent the installed density values obtained by using TestMethod C1374.4.5 This guide can be used to develop appropriate blowingmachine settings to achieve a target blown density at apredetermined thickness.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on ThermalInsulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on MechanicalProperties.Current edition approved March 1,2013.Published March 2013.Originallyapproved in 2004.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as C157404(2008)1.DOI:10.1520/C1574-04R13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.Summary of Guide5.1 A standardized test chamber of fixed volume is used tocollect the pneumatically-applied insulation.5.2 There are two types of test chambers that are in commonuse:5.2.1 Procedure A uses a moveable test box having aminimum volume of 20 cubic feet(0.56 m3).The blownmaterial is weighed while still in the test box and the density iscalculated.5.2.2 Procedure B uses a fixed frame assembly in a testroom or blowing shack to simulate an attic application.Theblown material is removed from the test frame and weighedseparately to calculate the density.5.3 After the insulation