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1.1 This test method covers the determination of the steady-state thermal transmission properties of flat-slab specimens of thermal insulation using a thin heater of uniform power density having low lateral heat flow. A thin heater with low lateral thermal conductance can reduce unwanted lateral heat flow and avoid the need for active-edge guarding.

1.2 This primary test method of thermal-transmission measurement describes a principle, rather than a particular apparatus. The principle involves determination of the thermal flux across a specimen of known thickness and the temperatures of the hot and cold faces of the specimen.

1.3 Considerable latitude is given to the designer of the apparatus in this test method; since a variety of designs is possible, a procedure for qualifying an apparatus is given in 5.3.

1.4 The specimens must meet the following conditions if thermal resistance or thermal conductance of the specimen is to be determined by this test method2:

1.5 The specimens shall meet one of the following requirements, in addition to those of 1.4.

1.6 Two versions of thin-heater apparatus using the same principle of the standard are described in Annex A1 and Annex A2. They are similar in concept but differ in size and construction, and hence warrant separate descriptions for each design. This test method in no way limits the size of the thin-heater element. One of the units described uses a thin metal foil, while the other uses a metal screen as the heat source. The smaller, foil apparatus is designed to make rapid measurements of heat transmission through specimens as thin as 0.5 cm and as thick as 2 cm; however, an apparatus using a foil heater could be designed to measure much thicker materials, if desired. The larger, screen apparatus is designed to measure specimens with thicknesses between 3 and 15 cm, where the exact limits depend on the thermal resistance of the specimens. Both apparatuses use thermocouples for measuring temperature, but other temperature-sensing systems can be used.

1.7 This test method covers the theory and principles of the measurement technique. It does not provide details of construction other than those required to illustrate two devices which meet the prescribed requirements. Detailed information is available in References (1-23)3 and the Adjunct.

1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.10 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.

5.1 Factors that may influence the thermal-transmission properties of a specimen of material are described in Practice C1045 and the Precision and Bias section of Test Method C177.

5.2 Because of the required test conditions prescribed by this test method, it shall be recognized that the thermal properties obtained will not necessarily apply without modification to all conditions of service. As an example, this test method normally provides that the thermal properties shall be obtained on specimens that do not contain moisture, although in service such conditions may not be realized. Even more basic is the dependence of the thermal properties on variables such as mean temperature and temperature difference.

5.3 When a new or modified design of apparatus is evolved, tests shall be made on at least two sets of differing material of known long-term thermal stability. Tests shall be made for each material at a minimum of two different mean temperatures within the operating range of each. Any differences in results should be carefully studied to determine the cause and then be removed by appropriate action. Only after a successful verification study on materials having known thermal properties traceable to a recognized national standards laboratory shall test results obtained with this apparatus be considered to conform with this test method. Periodic checks of apparatus performance are recommended.

5.4 The thermal transmission properties of many materials depend upon the prior thermal history. Care must be exercised when testing such specimens at a number of conditions so that tests are performed in a sequence that limits such effects on the results.

5.5 Typical uses for the thin-heater apparatus include the following: