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: C209 − 20

Standard Test Methods for

Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C209; 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 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 These test methods cover those insulation products in 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
specified Specification C208. The requirements for the prod- C165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of
ucts’ physical properties are specified in Specification C208. Thermal Insulations
The methods for the general insulation products’ physical C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
properties are given as follows: C177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
Section
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
Thickness 7 the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
Size of Finished Board 8 C208 Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board
Thermal Conductivity 9
Transverse Strength 10 C303 Test Method for Dimensions and Density of Pre-
Deflection at Specified Minimum Load 11 formed Block and Board–Type Thermal Insulation
Tensile Strength Parallel to Surface 12 C518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
Tensile Strength Perpendicular to Surface
Water Absorption
Linear Expansion
iTeh Standards
13
14
15
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
C870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma-

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
Water Vapor Transmission 16 terials
Flame Spread Index 17
Moisture Content and Density 18 C1045 Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Prop-
erties Under Steady-State Conditions
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Compressive Strength 19

1.2 Reference is provided to an established source for C1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
nomenclature and definitions. Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
C1616 Test Method for Determining the Moisture Content
1.3 Several of the test methods contained in this document
ASTM C209-20 of Organic and Inorganic Insulation Materials by Weight
are referenced by material specifications other than cellulosic C1763 Test Method for Water Absorption by Immersion of
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/0565b4aa-3e1a-4173-b840-988af868dacb/astm-c209-20
fiber insulating board. These include mineral fiber, perlite, Thermal Insulation Materials
polyisocyanurate, polystyrene and phenolic materials. D1037 Test Methods for Evaluating Properties of Wood-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D1554 Terminology Relating to Wood-Base Fiber and Par-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ticle Panel Materials
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Building Materials
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Materials
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3. Terminology
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.1 Definitions—The definitions of terms used in these
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. methods shall be in accordance with Definitions D1554 and
Terminology C168.
3.2 cellulosic fiber insulating board—a fibrous-felted, ho-
mogeneous panel made from ligno-cellulosic fibers (usually
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on
Thermal Insulation and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.32 on
2
Mechanical Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 15, 2020. Published March 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C209 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C0209-20. the ASTM website.

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

1
 C209 − 20
wood ) and having a density of less than 31 lb/ft3 (497 kg/m3) in. (13 mm) shall be used. Pressure on the contacting surfaces
but more than 10 lb/ft3 (160 kg/m3). shall not be greater than 1 psi (6.9 kPa) nor less than 0.25 psi
3.2.1 Discussion—Cellulosic fiber insulating board. It is (1.7 kPa), and the instrument shall read to an accuracy of 0.001
characterized by an integral bond that is produced by interfelt- in. (0.03 mm).
ing of the fibers, but which has not been consolidated under 7.2 Procedure—Measure the thickness at five points, near
heat and pressure as a separate stage in manufacture. Other each corner and near the center, to an accuracy of 60.001 in.
materials may be added during manufacture to improve certain (60.02 mm). Take care that the sample is not deformed when
properties. the thickness measurements are taken.
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 7.3 Calculation and Report—Report the average of the five
3.3.1 board—refers to the material as received. measurements as the average thickness of the sample. Report
3.3.2 sample—refers to the 36 by 48-in. (0.9 by 1.2-m) piece as the average thickness of the sample, the average thickness of
cut from a board. the lot, report thickness tolerance, as follows:
3.3.3 test specimen—refers to the test piece cut from a Thickness tolerance 5 ~ h 1 2 h 2 ! /h 1 (1)
sample unless otherwise specified in the test method.
where:
3.3.4 sorption—a general term in physical chemistry used to
describe the combined processes of: h1 = average thickness of lot, and
(1) absorption—refers to the taking up of matter in bulk by h2 = average thickness of sample.
other matter, for example, the penetration of substances into
the bulk of another solid or liquid. 8. Size of Finished Board
(2) adsorption—refers to surface retention or adhesion of 8.1 Procedure—Obtain the average width of the finished
an extremely thin layer of molecules to the surfaces of solids or board by measuring the width at each end and at the middle to
liquids with which they are in contact. an accuracy of 60.3 % or 1⁄16 in. (2 mm), whichever is smaller,
and averaging these readings. Obtain the average length of the
4. Significance and Use finished board in a similar manner.
iTeh Standards
4.1 The test methods contained in this document are in-
9. Thermal Conductivity
tended for cellulosic fiber insulating board as described in
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
Specification C208. These test methods examine mechanical,
9.1 Procedure—Determine thermal conductivity in accor-
physical and thermal properties, properties related to water
dance with Test Method C177, or in accordance with Test

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absorption and water vapor exposure, and flammability related
Methods C518, C1045 or C1114. Test two specimens from one
properties. sample from one board.
4.2 The results of these tests are suitable to describe the
performance of insulating board and are also suitable for use in 10. Transverse Strength
material specifications. ASTM C209-20 10.1 Apparatus:
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NOTE 1—Committee C-16 is in the process of splitting this document 10.1.1 Testing Machine—Any standard mechanical or hy-
into discrete test methods categorized by the nature of the test methods. draulic testing machine capable of applying and measuring the
required load within an accuracy of 62 % is suitable for use.
5. Sampling 10.1.2 Bearing Edges—The bearing edges shall be rounded
5.1 Selection of Boards—Refer to Specification C208, Sec- to a radius of 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) to prevent injury to the specimen.
tion 9 on Sampling. The bearing edges shall be straight and shall maintain full
contact with the specimen throughout the test.
5.2 Size of Sample—From each board a sample, 36 by 48 in.
(0.9 by 1.2 m) shall be cut. When possible, the larger 10.2 Test Specimen—The specimen shall be 3 by 15 in. (76
dimension of the sample shall be crosswise of the longer by 381 mm) and conditioned in accordance with 6.1. Three
dimension of the board as it is usually obtained. When the specimens from the long dimension of each sample from each
individual boards are less than 36 by 48 in. (0.9 by 1.2 m) in board and three at right angles shall be tested. If the sample has
size, enough material shall be taken to give the equivalent area. a dimension less than 15 in. (381 mm), test only in that
direction for which a 15 in. (381 mm) specimen can be
6. Test Conditions obtained.
6.1 Preconditioning—Tests shall be made under prevailing 10.3 Procedure—Determine the transverse load by placing
atmospheric conditions except in the case of dispute. Tests then the specimen on horizontal bearing edges 12 in. (305 mm)
shall be made on specimens conditioned until equilibrium is apart and applying the load at midspan on a bearing parallel to
obtained in accordance with Practice C870. the end supports, so that the head of the testing machines,
through which the load is applied, moves at a rate of 6 6 2
7. Thickness in./min (152 6 51 mm/min) until failure occurs.
7.1 Apparatus—An instrument such as a dial gage capable 10.4 Calculation and Report—Report as the transverse load
of measuring a 36 by 48 in. (0.9 by 12 m) sample, on which the for specimen, the maximum load reached during the test.
contacting surfaces are flat and have a minimum diameter of 1⁄2 Report as the average transverse load in pounds-force (or