Designation: C 303 – 02

Standard Test Method for

Dimensions and Density of Preformed Block and
Board–Type Thermal Insulation1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 303; 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.

1. Scope NOTE 1—Some materials may contain volatiles such as moisture when
manufactured or shipped, or both.
1.1 This test method covers determination of the dimensions
and density of block and board insulation as defined in 5. Significance and Use
Terminology C 168.
5.1 Dimensional measurements of the product thermal in-
1.2 The values stated in the SI system are to be regarded as
sulation are essential in determining compliance of a product
the standard.
with specification limits. Dimensional measurements of vari-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ous test specimens are also required by the specific test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
method.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.2 Density measurements of the product insulation are
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
useful in determining compliance of a product with specifica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion limits, and in providing a relative gage of product weights.
2. Referenced Documents For any one kind of insulation, some important physical and
mechanical properties, such as thermal conductivity, heat
2.1 ASTM Standards:
capacity, strength, etc., bear a specific relationship with its
C 167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket
density; however, on a density basis, these properties may not
or Batt Thermal Insulations2
be directly comparable with those for other kinds of material.
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation2
In order to design for equipment supports it may be desirable
C 390 Criteria for Sampling and Acceptance of Preformed
to check the material for the “as received density” where the
Thermal Insulation Lots2
moisture content of the product as received and then installed
C 870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma-
may consequential.
terials2
6. Apparatus
3. Terminology
6.1 Steel measure, (ruler or tape), graduated in millimetres
3.1 General—Terminology C 168 shall be considered as
or better, suitable for measuring dimensions to 6 1.0 % (see
applicable to the terms used in this test method.
Note 2).
4. Summary of Test Method 6.2 Instrument, such as caliper, dial gage, or micrometer
graduated in millimetres or better, with a minimum plate
4.1 The material may either be tested in the “dry” condition
diameter of 6 mm, and a maximum plate of 25 by 25 mm. This
or in the “as manufactured and received” condition (see Note
instrument shall be suitable for measuring the dimensions to
1) but the procedure must be consistent with that as given in the
61.0 %. This instrument shall not cause deformation of the
material specification. If the material is to be tested in the “dry”
product when measuring it. The pressure exerted by this
condition it shall be dried to constant mass. If the material
measuring plate should not exceed 0.245 kN/mm2.
specification does not give conditioning instructions, a condi-
6.3 Pin probe depth gage per Test Methods C 167.
tioning environment of 23°C 6 2°C and 50 6 5 % relative
6.4 Scales, accurate to within 5 g or within 1 % of the
humidity per Practice C 870 shall be used. From the measured
specimen mass (whichever is less). If the material specification
mass and measured dimensions, the density of the product is
calls for a greater accuracy, this would take precedence. If the
calculated.
samples are to be conditioned per Practice C 870 the accuracy
1
shall be within 0.1 %.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C 16.32 on Mechanical
6.5 Drying Oven.
Properties. NOTE 2—Generally a rule or instrument is used for dimensions less
Current edition approved March 10, 2002. Published April 2002. Originally
than a metre and a tape used for longer dimensions.
published as C 303 – 52T. Last previous edition C 303 – 98.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 303
7. Test Specimen 9.4 Measure and record the mass.
7.1 The test specimens shall be of commercial size when- 10. Calculation
ever practicable, but shall not be less than 100 mm wide by 200
10.1 Calculate the volume of the specimen from the average
mm long, except if required by a specific test method. The
width, length, and thickness as follows:
sample size shall be determined in accordance with the
material specification. If not specified there, then in accordance Volume, m3 5 length, mm 3 width, mm 3 thickness, mm 3 10 29
with Criteria C 390 test at least five specimens. (1)
7.2 When less than full commercial size pieces are tested 10.2 Calculate the density of the specimen from the mass
ends and sides shall be trimmed by cutting or fabricating to and calculated volume as follows:
give a block with parallel sides and ends with only top and mass, kg
bottom surfaces original. Density, kg/m3 5 (2)
volume, m3
8. Conditioning
8.1 If the specimens are to be conditioned, condition the density, lb/ft3 5 density, kg/m3 3 0.06243 (3)
specimens to constant mass in accordance with Practice C 870. 11. Report
Consult the materials specification for any specific condition-
11.1 Report the average density of the sample in kilograms
ing requirements.
per cubic metre or pounds per cubic foot. Report density to
8.2 If the specimens are not to be conditioned, test as soon
three significant figures.
as possible.
11.2 Report the dimensions. Report dimensions to the near-
9. Procedure est millimeter, or as requested.
11.3 Material identification including manufacturers type/
9.1 After conditioning, measure the width and length of the
grade designation and lot number or date of manufacture.
specimen to the nearest 1 mm unless different tolerances are
11.4 Date testing was performed.
given in the material specification, or there are different
11.5 Specimen conditioning used or “tested as received.”
measurement tolerances within a specific test method to be
applied. 12. Precision and Bias 3
9.2 If the pin probe depth gage is used the measurements 12.1 Precision of the density test method was determined by
shall be per 8.2 of Test Methods C 167. a round robin with six participating laboratories. The product
9.3 The thickness shall be measured along the edges in at tested was mineral fiber board insulation at a density of
least four different locations, generally near the four corners 2.98 lb/ft3(47.74 kg/m3).
approximately 25-75 mm from the corner, as shown in Fig. 1 12.2 Precision results:
for locations A,B,C, and D. The length and width should be 95% Repeatability Limit (2.8Sr) = 1.7%
measured in at least two locations. At approximately along the 95% Reproducibility Limit (2.8Sr= 3.3%
A-B and C-D lines for the width and the A-D and B-C lines for 12.3 Bias-No information can be presented on the bias of
the length. For specimens larger than 1 m2 in area, there should the procedure in this test method because no material having an
be an additional two thickness measurements for each addi- accepted reference value is available.
tional square meter in size. These would be in the central
section of the specimen as shown by locations E and F. There 13. Keywords
should also be an additional length or width measurement for 13.1 block; board; density; dimensions; thermal insulation;
each additional meter increase in length or width over 1 m thermal insulating materials–block and board
long. These measurement positions should be spaced approxi-
mately equally within the original measurement area defined 3
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM Headquarters. Request Research
by A,B,C,D. Report RR: C16–1025.

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 C 303

FIG. 1 Specimen Measurement

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 C 303
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