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: C518 − 21

Standard Test Method for

Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C518; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope approaches to the measurement of the thermal transmission

properties (1-4).2 All users of this test method should be aware
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of steady state
of these concepts.
thermal transmission through flat slab specimens using a heat
flow meter apparatus. 1.6 This test method is applicable to the measurement of
thermal transmission through a wide range of specimen prop-
1.2 The heat flow meter apparatus is used widely because it erties and environmental conditions. The method has been used
is relatively simple in concept, rapid, and applicable to a wide at ambient conditions of 10 to 40°C with thicknesses up to
range of test specimens. The precision and bias of the heat flow approximately 250 mm, and with plate temperatures from
meter apparatus can be excellent provided calibration is carried –195°C to 540°C at 25-mm thickness (5, 6).
out within the range of heat flows expected. This means
calibration shall be carried out with similar types of materials, 1.7 This test method may be used to characterize material

iTeh Standards
of similar thermal conductances, at similar thicknesses, mean
temperatures, and temperature gradients, as expected for the
properties, which may or may not be representative of actual
conditions of use. Other test methods, such as Test Methods
C236 or C976 should be used if needed.
1.3 This a comparative, or(https://standards.iteh.ai)
test specimens.
secondary, method of measure- 1.8 To meet the requirements of this test method the thermal
resistance of the test specimen shall be greater than 0.10
Document
ties shall be used to calibrate the apparatus. Properties of the Preview
ment since specimens of known thermal transmission proper-

calibration specimens must be traceable to an absolute mea-

m ·K/W
shall be
in 2
the direction of the heat flow and edge heat losses
controlled, using edge insulation, or a guard heater, or
surement method. The calibration specimens should be ob- both.
tained from a recognized national standards laboratory. ASTM C518-211.9 It is not practical in a test method of this type to try to
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1.4 The heat flow meter apparatus establishes steady state
establish details of construction and procedures to cover all
contingencies that might offer difficulties to a person without
one-dimensional heat flux through a test specimen between two
pertinent technical knowledge. Thus users of this test method
parallel plates at constant but different temperatures. By
shall have sufficient knowledge to satisfactorily fulfill their
appropriate calibration of the heat flux transducer(s) with
needs. For example, knowledge of heat transfer principles, low
calibration standards and by measurement of the plate tempera-
level electrical measurements, and general test procedures is
tures and plate separation. Fourier’s law of heat conduction is
required.
used to calculate thermal conductivity, and thermal resistivity
or thermal resistance and thermal conductance. 1.10 The user of this method must be familiar with and
understand the Annex. The Annex is critically important in
1.5 This test method shall be used in conjunction with addressing equipment design and error analysis.
Practice C1045. Many advances have been made in thermal
technology, both in measurement techniques and in improved 1.11 Standardization of this test method is not intended to
understanding of the principles of heat flow through materials. restrict in any way the future development of improved or new
These advances have prompted revisions in the conceptual methods or procedures by research workers.
1.12 Since the design of a heat flow meter apparatus is not
a simple matter, a procedure for proving the performance of an
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Thermal apparatus is given in Appendix X3.
Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.30 on Thermal
Measurement.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally
2
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C518 – 17. DOI: The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
10.1520/C0518-21. this test method.

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

1
 C518 − 21
1.13 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3. Terminology
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms and symbols used
standard.
in this test method, refer to Terminology C168 and to the
1.14 This standard does not purport to address all of the following subsections.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 3.2.1 calibration, n—the process of establishing the calibra-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. tion factor for a particular apparatus using calibration speci-
1.15 This international standard was developed in accor- mens having known thermal transmission properties.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.2.2 calibration transfer specimen, n—(CTS) a thermal
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the calibration specimen that has been measured by a national
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- standards laboratory (7).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.2.3 cold surface assembly, n—the plate that provides as
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. isothermal boundary at the cold surface of the test specimen(s).
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.4 controlled environment, n—an environment some-
3 times employed in the apparatus to limit lateral heat flows.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or 3.2.5 edge insulation, n—auxiliary insulation used to limit
Batt Thermal Insulations lateral heat flows, these are sometimes permanently mounted in
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation the apparatus.
C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure- 3.2.6 guard, n—promotes one-dimensional heat flow. Pri-
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of mary guards are planar, additional coplanar guards can be used
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus and secondary or edge guards are axial.
C236 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Performance of
3.2.7 heat flow meter apparatus, n—the complete assem-
(Withdrawn 2001) 4
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Building Assemblies by Means of a Guarded Hot Box

C687 Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of

blage of the instrument, including hot and cold isothermal
surfaces, the heat flux transducer(s), and the controlled envi-
Loose-Fill Building Insulation (https://standards.iteh.ai)
C976 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building
ronment if used, and instrumentation to indicate hot and cold
surface temperatures, specimen thickness, and heat flux.

drawn 2002) 4 Document Preview

Assemblies by Means of a Calibrated Hot Box (With- 3.2.8 hot surface assembly, n—the plate that provides an
isothermal boundary at the hot surface of the test specimen(s).
C1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Prop- 3.2.9 heat flux transducer, n—a device containing a
erties Under Steady-State Conditions thermopile, or an equivalent, that produces an output which is
C1046 Practice for In-Situ Measurement of HeatASTM C518-21
Flux and a function of the heat flux passing through it. The metering area
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Temperature on Building Envelope Components usually consists of a number of differently connected tempera-
C1058 Practice for Selecting Temperatures for Evaluating ture sensors placed on each face of a core and surface sheets to
and Reporting Thermal Properties of Thermal Insulation protect the assembly. A properly designed transducer will have
C1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission a sensitivity that is essentially independent of the thermal
Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus properties of the specimen.
E230/E230M Specification for Temperature-Electromotive
Force (emf) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples 3.2.10 metering area, n—the area of the specimen(s) in
E178 Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations contact with the sensor area of the heat flux transducer.
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics 3.2.11 secondary transfer standard, n—a specimen, which
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to has been measured in a heat flow meter apparatus, which has
Determine the Precision of a Test Method been calibrated with primary standards, used to calibrate
2.2 ISO Standard: additional apparatuses.
ISO 8301:1991 Thermal Insulation—Determination of 3.2.12 sensitivity, n—the ratio of the heat flux passing
Steady-State Thermal Resistance and Related through the transducer to the electrical output of the heat flux
Properties—Heat Flow Meter Apparatus5 transducer.
3.2.13 standard reference material (SRM), n—a lot of ma-
terial that has been characterized by a national standards
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or laboratory (7).
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 3.2.14 thermal transmission properties, n—those properties
the ASTM website.
4
of a material or system that define the ability of the material or
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
system to transfer heat. Properties, such as thermal resistance,
www.astm.org.
5
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., thermal conductance, thermal conductivity, and thermal resis-
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. tivity would be included, as defined in Terminology C168.

2
 C518 − 21
3.3 Symbols and Units—The symbols used in this test anisotropies, rigidity, or especially high or low resistance to
method have the following significance: heat flow (see Practice C1045). The use of a heat flow meter
3.3.1 λ—thermal conductivity, W/(m·K). apparatus when there are thermal bridges present in the
3.3.2 C—thermal conductance, W/(m2·K) specimen may yield very unreliable results. If the thermal
3.3.3 R—thermal resistance, (m2·K)/W. bridge is present and parallel to the heat flow the results
3.3.4 q—heat flux (heat flow rate, Q, through area A), W/m2. obtained may well have no meaning. Special considerations
3.3.5 Q—heat flow rate in the metered area, W. also are necessary when the measurements are conducted at
3.3.6 A—metering area, m2. either high or low temperatures, in ambient pressures above or
3.3.7 L—separation between the hot and cold plate assem- below atmospheric pressure, or in special ambient gases that
blies during testing, m. are inert or hazardous.
3.3.8 Tm—mean temperature, (Th + Tc)/2, K. 4.5 The determination of the accuracy of the method for any
3.3.9 ∆T—temperature difference across the specimen, K. given test is a function of the apparatus design, of the related
3.3.10 ρ—(bulk) density of the material tested, kg/m3. instrumentation, and of the type of specimens under test (see
3.3.11 S—calibration factor of the heat flux transducer, Section 10), but this test method is capable of determining
(W/m2)/V. thermal transmission properties within 6 2 % of those deter-
3.3.12 E—heat flux transducer output, V. mined by Test Method C177 when the ambient temperature is
3.3.13 Th—temperature of the hot plate surface, K. near the mean temperature of the test (T (ambient) = T (mean)
3.3.14 Tc—temperature of the cold plate surface, K. 6 1°C), and in the range of 10 to 40°C. In all cases the
3.4 Subscripts: accuracy of the heat flow meter apparatus can never be better
3.4.1 h—hot. than the accuracy of the primary standards used to calibrate the
3.4.2 c—cold apparatus.
3.4.3 a, b—first and second specimen. 4.5.1 When this test method is to be used for certification
3.4.4 m—mean. testing of products, the apparatus shall have the capabilities
3.4.5 α—statistical term used to define significance level. required in A1.7 and one of the following procedures shall be

iTeh Standards
followed:
4. Significance and Use 4.5.1.1 The apparatus shall have its calibration checked
within 24 h before or after a certification test using either
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4.1 This test method provides a rapid means of determining
secondary transfer standards traceable to, or calibration stan-
the steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal
dards whose values have been established by, a recognized
insulations and other materials with a high level of accuracy
Document Preview
national standards laboratory not more than five years prior to
when the apparatus has been calibrated appropriately.
the certification date. The average of two calibrations shall be
4.2 Proper calibration of the heat flow meter apparatus used as the calibration factor and the specimen(s) certified with
requires that it be calibrated using specimen(s) having thermal this average value. When the change in calibration factor is
transmission properties determined previously by Test ASTM C518-21
Meth- greater than 1 %, the standard specimen shall be retested and a
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C177, or C1114. new average calculated. If the change in calibration factor is
NOTE 1—Calibration of the apparatus typically requires specimens that still greater than 1 % the apparatus shall be calibrated using the
are similar to the types of materials, thermal conductances, thicknesses, procedure in Section 6.
mean temperatures, and temperature gradients as expected for the test 4.5.1.2 Where both the short and long term stability of the
specimens. apparatus have been proven to be better than 1 % of the reading
4.3 The thermal transmission properties of specimens of a (see Section 10), the apparatus may be calibrated at less
given material or product may vary due to variability of the frequent intervals, not exceeding 30 days. The specimens so
composition of the material; be affected by moisture or other tested cannot be certified until after the calibration test follow-
conditions; change with time; change with mean temperature ing the test and then only if the change in calibration factor
and temperature difference; and depend upon the prior thermal from the previous calibration test is less than 1 %. When the
history. It must be recognized, therefore, that the selection of change in calibration is greater than 1 %, test results from this
typical values of thermal transmission properties representative interval shall be considered void and the tests repeated in
of a material in a particular application should be based on a accordance with 4.5.1.1.
consideration of these factors and will not apply necessarily 4.5.2 The precision (repeatability) of measurements made
without modification to all service conditions. by the heat flow meter apparatus calibrated as in Section 6.6
4.3.1 As an example, this test method provides that the normally are much better than 61 % of the mean value. This
thermal properties shall be obtained on specimens that do not precision is required to identify changes in calibration and is
contain any free moisture although in service such conditions desirable in quality control applications.
may not be realized. Even more basic is the dependence of the
thermal properties on variables, such as mean temperature and 5. Apparatus
temperature difference. These dependencies should be mea- 5.1 The construction guidelines given in this section should
sured or the test made at conditions typical of use. be understood by the user of this test method. While it is
4.4 Special care shall be taken in the measurement proce- mandatory that these details be followed carefully when
dure for specimens exhibiting appreciable inhomogeneities, constructing an apparatus, it behooves the user to verify that

3
 C518 − 21
the equipment is built as specified. Serious errors of measure-
ment may result from this oversight.
5.2 General:
5.2.1 The general features of a heat flow meter apparatus
with the specimen or the specimens installed are described in
Section 6 and shown in Figs. 1-3. A heat flow meter apparatus
consists of two isothermal plate assemblies, one or more heat
flux transducers and equipment to control the environmental
conditions when needed. Each configuration will yield equiva-
lent results if used within the limitations stated in this test
method. There are distinct advantages for each configuration in
practice and these are discussed in Appendix X2.
NOTE 2—Further information can be found in ISO 8301:1991, which is
the equivalent ISO standard for the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus.
5.2.2 Further design considerations such as plate surface
treatment, flatness and parallelism, temperature requirements
and measuring system requirements can be found in Annex A1.
FIG. 2 Apparatus with One Heat Flux Transducer and Two
6. Calibration Specimens
6.1 The calibration of a heat flow meter apparatus is a very
critical operation. Since lateral heat losses or gains of heat are
not controlled or eliminated automatically, but only lessened
by increasing the size of the guard area and edge insulation,
there is no guarantee that the heat losses or gains are negligible
iTeh Standards
under all testing conditions. To ensure that the equipment is
performing properly with specimens of different thermal

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FIG. 3 Apparatus with Two Heat Flux Transducers and One
resistances, the apparatus shall be calibrated with materials Specimen
having similar thermal characteristics and thicknesses as the
materials to be evaluated. The apparatus shall be calibrated
Document Preview
with the specimen in the same orientation and the heat flux in
the same direction under which the primary, CTS or SRM, or 6.4.1 Calibration standards may be good for many years if
secondary transfer standards were characterized, if known. The handled carefully but shall be checked periodically to confirm
ASTM
material selected for the calibration standard shall have C518-21
prop- lack of change.
erties that are not affected by convection over the range of
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calibration parameters (temperature difference, thickness,
6.4.2 It is recommended that the primary standards obtained
from a national standards laboratory should not be used on a
density, and so forth) of interest. The apparatus shall be daily basis, but secondary or working standards should be
calibrated as a unit, with the heat flux transducer(s) installed in produced. Create a record on the secondary standards with the
the apparatus. following information.
6.2 This procedure applies to the calibration of a heat flow 6.4.2.1 Name of national laboratory to which it is traceable.
meter apparatus over a wide range of heat flow rates and 6.4.2.2 Date the secondary standard is produced.
temperatures, which permits the testing of a wide variety of 6.4.2.3 Date the secondary standard is last tested.
insulation materials over an extended temperature range. 6.4.2.4 Direction of heat flux during calibration.
6.3 The following calibration procedure is used to compute 6.4.2.5 Thermal value of the secondary standard.
the calibration factor, S for a heat flow meter apparatus, and 6.4.2.6 Range of parameters for which it is valid.
must be used by anyone who desires to produce meaningful 6.4.2.7 Estimate of bias of the primary and secondary
heat flux measurements from a heat flow apparatus. standards.
6.4 Calibration Standards: 6.5 Calibration Procedure:
6.5.1 Calibrate the heat flow meter apparatus under the same
conditions of plate temperatures, temperature gradient, speci-
men thickness, heat flow direction, and apparatus orientation as
those for which data are available for the standard.
6.5.2 Single Temperature Point—If the calibration standard
is tested at a single mean temperature, conduct the calibration
and subsequent tests near the same mean temperature. Use
engineering judgment or an error analysis to determine how
FIG. 1 Apparatus with One Heat Flux Transducer and One closely the mean temperature must be maintained. As assess-
Specimen ment of the sensitivity of the calibration standard to test

4
 C518 − 21
conditions should be determined by the user of the transfer 6.6.3.2 Two Calibration Standards—Apparatus with one
standard to determine its limitations of use. heat flux transducer and two specimens (see Fig. 2).
6.5.3 Multiple Temperature Points—If the calibration stan- 6.6.3.3 Again, the standards need to be the same thickness
dard is tested at three or more mean temperatures, calibrate the and of similar material but not necessarily identical.
heat flow meter apparatus at the same temperatures using the C a 1C b
same temperature gradients (8). A smooth curve can be fitted to S5 (3)
the points such that a calibration factor can be interpolated for E·S 1
1
1
~ T ha 2 T ca! ~ T hb 2 T cb! D
any given mean temperature. It is not permissible to extrapo-
late above or below the mean temperature range of the 6.6.4 One Calibration Standard—Apparatus with two heat
calibration standard measurements. Changing the plate tem- flux transducers and one specimen (see Fig. 3).
perature of a heat flow meter apparatus has the potential of 6.6.4.1 Assuming the two transducers physically are iden-
changing apparatus calibration. When changing plate tical and have similar outputs, one can sum the outputs of the
temperatures, take steps to determine if the heat flux transducer two transducers and then calibrate as a single transducer
calibration factor has changed. apparatus. In this case, it is very important to keep the mean
6.5.4 Single Thickness Point—If the original calibration temperature and the plate temperatures equal to those used in
standard is tested at only one thickness, the heat flow meter testing the standard. It is essential that each of the transducers
apparatus can be calibrated for that thickness without an be at steady state.
exhaustive thickness study. If tests are to be conducted at C· ~ Th 2 Tc!
thicknesses other than the calibrated thickness, make a thor- S5 (4)
~ E11E2 !
ough study of the error of the heat flow meter apparatus at other
thicknesses. Several references on this subject are listed at the 6.6.4.2 In the case where multiple transducers are used, a
end of this test method (4, 7-10). similar calculation can be utilized to calculate the calibration
factor.
6.5.5 Multiple Thickness Points—If the original standard is
6.6.4.3 As an alternative, each heat flux transducer can be
tested at three or more thicknesses, the heat flow meter
calibrated as an independent apparatus as in 6.6.1.
apparatus can be calibrated over the same thickness range. A
iTeh Standards
smooth curve can be fitted to the points such that a calibration
7. Test Procedures
factor can be interpolated for any given thickness. If tests are

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7.1 Foreword on Testing Procedures—The relative simplic-
to be conducted at thicknesses above or below the calibrated
ity of this test method may lead one to overlook very important
thicknesses, make a thorough study of the error of the heat flow
factors, which may affect the results. To ensure accurate
meter apparatus at these thicknesses.
Document Preview
6.6 Calibration of Various Designs: measurement, the operator shall be instructed fully in the
operation of the equipment. Furthermore, the equipment shall
6.6.1 There are several configurations of heat flow meter
be calibrated properly with reference materials having similar
apparatuses that use one or two heat flux transducers and one
ASTM
or two specimens in the apparatus. While it is not practical toC518-21
heat transfer characteristics. Also it is necessary that the
specimen be prepared properly for evaluation.
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all of the possible combinations of apparatus and specimen
configurations, this section contains the equations for calculat- 7.2 Sampling and Preparation of Specimens:
ing the calibration factor of three common apparatuses. The 7.2.1 Test Specimens—One- or two-piece specimens may be
calibration and testing configuration should be identical. The used, depending on the configuration selected for the test.
calibration factor of a heat flow meter apparatus is determined Where two pieces are used, they shall be selected from the
by running the same standard specimens a number of times, not same material to be essentially identical in construction,
consecutively, but over a period of time with the standard thickness, and density. For loose fill materials, the method
removed each time. specified in the material specification or in Practice C687 shall
6.6.2 One Calibration Standard—Apparatus with one heat be used to produce a specimen or specimens of the desired
flux transducer and one standard (see Fig. 1). density.
7.2.2 Selection of Specimens—The specimen or specimens
S 5 C· ~ Th 2 Tc! /E (1)
shall be of such size as to cover the plate assembly surfaces and
6.6.3 Two Calibration Standards—Apparatus with one heat shall either be of the actual thickness to be applied in use or of
flux transducer and one specimen configuration (same as that sufficient thickness to give a true average representation of the
for 6.6.2). material to be tested. If sufficient material is not available, the
6.6.3.1 The two calibration standards need to be the same specimen shall at least cover the metering area, and the rest of
thickness and of similar material but need not be identical. the plate surfaces must be covered with a mask with a thermal
With the following equation, it is not necessary to know the conductivity as close to that of the specimen as possible.
thermal conductance of each calibration standard, but it is 7.3 Specimen Conditioning—Details of the specimen selec-
necessary to know the average thermal conductance of the two tion and conditioning preferably are given in the material
standards: specification. Where such specifications are not given, the
C a 1C b specimen preparation shall be conducted in accordance with
S5 (2)
S Ea
1
Eb
~ T ha 2 T ca! ~ T hb 2 T cb! D the requirement that materials shall not be exposed to tempera-
tures that will change the specimens in an irreversible manner.

5
 C518 − 21
Typically, the material specifications call for specimen condi- construction of the heat meter apparatus, and the properties of
tioning at 22°C and 50 % R.H. for a period of time until less the specimen. No suitable theoretical analysis is available to
than a 1 % mass change is observed over a 24-h period. For predict the maximum allowable thickness of specimens. It is
some materials, such as cellulose, considerably longer times possible to use the results of an analysis for a similarly sized
may be required for both conditioning and testing. guarded hot plate as a guide (11-14).
7.4 Specimen Preparation: 7.7 Procedure of Measurement:
7.4.1 Use the following guidelines when the material speci- 7.7.1 Temperature Difference—For any test, make the tem-
fication is unavailable. In general, the surfaces of the specimen perature difference across the specimen not less than 10 K. For
should be prepared to ensure that they are parallel with and specimens that are expected to have a large thermal resistance,
have uniform thermal contact with the hot and cold plates. a larger temperature difference in the specimen is recom-
7.4.2 Compressible Specimens—The surfaces of the uncom- mended (see Practice C1058 for the selection of the plate
pressed specimens may be comparatively uneven so long as temperatures). The actual temperature difference or gradient is
surface undulations are removed under test compression. It best specified in the material specifications or by agreement of
may be necessary to smooth the specimen surfaces to achieve the parties concerned.
better plate-to-specimen contact. If the apparent thermal con- 7.7.2 Edge Insulation—Enclose the edges of the specimens
ductivity of the contact void is greater than that of the with thermal insulation to reduce edge heat losses to an
specimen, compressible or otherwise, the measured heat flux acceptable level if this edge insulation is not built into the
will be greater than the heat flux that would be obtained if the apparatus (see A1.6).
voids were absent. This may often be the case at higher 7.7.3 Settling Time and Measurement Interval—Verify the
temperatures where radiant heat transfer predominates in the existence of thermal equilibrium by observing and recording,
void. For the measurement of compressible specimens, the the emf output of the heat flux transducer, the mean tempera-
temperature sensors are often mounted directly in the plate ture of the specimens, the temperature drop across the
surfaces. Also, plate spacers may be required for the measure- specimen, and a calculated λ value. Make observations at time
ment of compressible specimens. intervals of at least 10 min until five successive observations
yield values of thermal conductivity, which fall within 1⁄2 % of
iTeh Standards
7.4.3 Rigid and High Conductance Specimens—The mea-
surement of rigid specimens or high conductance specimens
requires careful surface preparation. First, the surfaces should
the mean value for these five readings. If the five readings
show a monotonically increasing or decreasing trend, equilib-
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be made flat and parallel to the same degree as the heat-flow-
meter. If the specimen has a thermal resistance that is suffi-
rium has not been attained. In this case, additional sets of
readings shall be taken. If experience has shown that a shorter

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ciently high compared to the specimen-to-plate interface time interval may be used, follow the same criteria for stability.
resistance, temperature sensors mounted in the plates may be For high density specimens (ρ > 40 kg/m3) or for low
adequate. conductance specimens (C < 0.05 W/K·m2) the time between
readings may have to be increased to 30 min or longer (15).
7.5 Measurements on Specimens: ASTM C518-21
7.5.1 Blanket and Batt-Type Materials—When specified, the
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test thickness of blankets and batt-type materials shall be
8. Calculation

determined before testing in accordance with Test Methods 8.1 Density and Change in Mass—When required, calculate
C167, provided that good contact is maintained between the the density of the dry specimen as tested, ρ, the mass change
specimen and the isothermal plates. Also, it is recommended due to conditioning of the material, and the mass change of the
highly that the thickness during the actual test be measured. At specimen during test.
the conclusion of the test, the density in the metering area 8.1.1 Density of Batt and Blanket Specimens—It has been
should be determined. found that it is important to measure the mass of the specimens
in contact with the metering area. The area of the specimen
7.5.2 Loose-fill Materials—These materials generally are
directly measured shall be cut out and its mass determined after
tested in open test frames as spelled out in Practice C687. The
testing, unless the specimen must be retained for further
requirement to measure the density in the metering area is
testing.
again critical.
8.2 Thermal Properties for One Specimen—When only one
7.6 Limitations on Specimen Thickness: specimen is used, calculate the thermal conductance of the
7.6.1 General—The combined thickness of the specimen or specimen as follows:
specimens, the heat flux transducer and any damping material,
which in total equals the distance between the cold and hot C 5 S·E/∆T (5)
plates, must be restricted in order to limit the effect of edge and where applicable, calculate the thermal conductivity, as
losses on the measurements. In addition edge losses are follows:
affected by the edge insulation and the ambient temperature, so
λ 5 S·E· ~ L/∆T ! (6)
the requirements on both of these parameters must be met.
7.6.2 Maximum Spacing Between Hot and Cold Plates— 8.3 Thermal Properties for Two Specimens—When two
The maximum allowable distance between the hot and cold specimens are used, calculate the total thermal conductance, C,
plates during a test, is related to the dimensions of the heat flux as follows:
transducer, the metering area, the size of the plate assembly, the C 5 S·E/ ~ ∆T a 1∆T b ! (7)

6
 C518 − 21
The λ factor, that is, the average thermal conductivity of the 9.2 In many cases a laboratory is requested to provide only
specimen is calculated as follows: the thermal conductivity at a specified mean temperature and a
λ ave 5 ~ S·E/2 ! · ~ L a 1L b ! / ~ ∆T a 1∆T b ! (8) few pertinent physical properties, such as density, and test
thickness. An abridged test report shall state “Abridged ASTM
where the subscripts refer to the two specimens. C518 Test Report” and shall include the thermal transmission
8.4 Other derived thermal properties may be calculated but property of interest, mean temperature, test thickness, and bulk
only under the provisions given in Practice C1045. density. It is mandated that an uncertainty statement shall be
transmitted with the thermal transmission property. Compli-
8.5 Thermal Properties for Two Transducers—All pertinent ance to Test Method C518 requires that the other test param-
equations of 8.2 and 8.3 apply to this configuration, provided eters specified in 9.1.1 – 9.4 to be recorded in the laboratory
S·E will be replaced by (S’·E’ + S”·E”)/2, where the super- records.
scripts ’ and ” refer to the first and second heat flux transducer,
respectively. 9.3 For certification testing only, the specimens used in
calibration shall be identified as to the type, thermal resistance,
9. Report date of specimen certification, source of certification, expira-
tion date of calibration, and the certification test number.
9.1 The report of the results of each test shall include the Where applicable include a statement of the laboratory accredi-
following information with all data to be reported in both SI tation of the test facility, including the date of the latest
and inch-pound units unless specified otherwise. inspection.
9.1.1 The report shall be identified with a unique numbering
system to allow traceability back to the individual measure- 9.4 Statement of compliance, or where circumstances or
ments taken during the test performed. requirements preclude complete compliance with the proce-
dures of the test, agreed exceptions. A suggested wording is
9.1.2 Name and any other pertinent identification of the
“This test conformed with all requirements of ASTM C518
material including a physical description.
with the exception of (a complete list of exceptions follows).”
9.1.3 Description of the specimen and its relationship to the
sample, including a brief history of the specimen, if known.
iTeh Standards
10. Precision and Bias
9.1.4 Thickness of the specimen as received and as tested.
10.1 This section on precision and bias for heat flow meter
9.1.5 Method and environment used for conditioning, if

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apparatus includes a discussion of; general statistical terms;
used.
statistical control; factors affecting test results; ruggedness
9.1.6 Density of the conditioned specimen as tested, kg/m3.
tests; interlaboratory comparisons conducted by ASTM Com-
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9.1.7 Mass loss of the specimen during conditioning and mittee C16; proficiency testing conducted under the auspices of
testing, in percentage of conditioned mass, if measured. the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NV-
9.1.8 Mass regain of the specimen during test, in percentage LAP); and error propagation formulae.
of conditioned mass, if measured.
9.1.9 Average temperature gradient in the specimen ASTM C518-21
during 10.2 The accuracy of a test result refers to the closeness of
agreement between the observed value and an accepted refer-
testhttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/fcd5f52a-9dd7-431d-a171-1e83f99aa51f/astm-c518-21
as computed from the temperatures of the hot and cold
surfaces, K/m. ence value. When applied to a set of observed values, the
9.1.10 Mean temperature of the test, K or °C. accuracy includes a random component (imprecision) and a
9.1.11 Heat flux amount and direction through the systematic component (bias). The variability associated with
specimen, W/m . 2 the set of observed values is an indication of the uncertainty of
2 the test result. Additional information on statistical terminol-
9.1.12 Thermal conductance, W/m · K.
ogy is available in Terminology .
9.1.13 Duration of the measurement portion of the test, min
or h. 10.3 The user of the heat-flow-meter apparatus shall dem-
9.1.14 For loose-fill materials, report the specimen prepara- onstrate that the apparatus is capable of performing in a
tion followed. consistent manner over time (16, 17). The use of control charts
9.1.15 Date of test, the date of the last heat meter (see Manual 7 (18)) to monitor the operation of the heat-flow-
calibration, and the type or types of materials used. meter is one recommended way to monitor the control stability
9.1.16 Estimated or calculated uncertainty in reported val- of the apparatus. When possible, it is recommended that a
ues. It is optional as to which of the error analysis methods reference material traceable to a national standards laboratory
given in Annex A2 is used by the laboratory. be used as the control specimen. Ideally, the long-term varia-
9.1.17 Orientation and position of the heat meter apparatus tion should be no greater than the short-term variability.
during test (vertical, horizontal, etc.), and whether the meter 10.4 A series of three round robins was conducted between
was against the hot or cold surface of the specimen and 1976 and 1983, as reported by Hust and Pelanne (19), and
whether the edges of the specimen(s) were sealed or open to employed low density fiberglass specimens from 2.54 to 10.2
the ambient. cm. thick with densities ranging from 10 to 33 kg/m2. A total
9.1.18 For direct reading apparatus, the results of the of twelve laboratories were involved in these studies. The
calibration of electronic circuitry and equipment or a statement interlaboratory imprecision, at the two standard deviation level
of compliance including date, and a statement of compliance when analyzed using Practice E691, was found to vary from
on linearity requirements. 1.92 to 3.54 % between 2.54 and 10.2 cm.