ASTM C1484-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: C 1484 – 00
Standard Specification for
Vacuum Insulation Panels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1484; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification covers the general requirements for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP). These panels have been used C 165 Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties
wherever high thermal resistance is desired in confined space of Thermal Insulations
applications, such as transportation, equipment, and appli- C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulating Materi-
ances. als
1.2 Vacuum panels typically exhibit an edge effect due to C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
differences between core and barrier thermal properties. This ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
specification applies to composite panels whose center-of- the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
panel apparent thermal resistivities (sec. 3.2.4) typically range C 203 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Flexural Prop-
from 87 to 870 m·K/W (12.5 to 125 hr·ft ·°F/Btu·in) at 24°C erties of Block-Type Thermal Insulation
(75°F) mean, and whose intended service temperature bound- C 480 Test Method for Flexure Creep of Sandwich Con-
aries range from –70 to 480°C (–94 to 900°F). structions
1.3 The specification applies to panels encompassing evacu- C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
ated space with: some means of preventing panel collapse due ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
to atmospheric pressure, some means of reducing radiation the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
heat transfer, and some means of reducing the mean free path C 740 Practice for Use of Evacuated Reflective Insulation
of the remaining gas molecules. in Cryogenic Service
1.4 Limitations C 1045 Practice for the Calculation of Thermal Transmis-
1.4.1 The specification is intended for evacuated planar sion Properties from Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
composites; it does not apply to non-planar evacuated self- ments
supporting structures, such as containers or bottles with evacu- C 1055 Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that
ated walls. The complexity of describing the performance of Produce Contact Burn Injuries
the planar products is considered sufficiently challenging for C 1058 Practice for Selecting Temperatures for Reporting
this initial specification, although other shapes will be consid- and Evaluating Thermal Properties of Thermal Insulations
ered at a future time. C 1114 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission
1.4.2 The specification describes the thermal performance Properties by Means of the Thin-Heater Apparatus
considerations in the use of these insulations. Because this C 1136 Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor
market is still developing, discrete classes of products have not Retarders for Thermal Insulation
yet been defined and standard performance values are not yet C 1363 Test Method for the Thermal Performance of Build-
available. ing Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the D 999 Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Contain-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information ers
only. D 1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D 2221 Test Method for Creep Properties of Package Cush-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ioning Materials
priate safety and health specifications and determine the D 2126 Test Method for Response of Rigid Cellular Plastics
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific to Thermal and Humid Aging
safety considerations see Annex A1. D 3103 Test Method for Thermal Insulation Quality of
Packages
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.22 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.03.
Organic and Nonhomogeneous Inorganic Thermal Insulations. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
Current edition approved Dec 10, 2000. Published March 2001. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C 1484
D 3763 Test Method for High Speed Puncture Properties of 3.2.4 center-of-panel apparent thermal resistivity—the ther-
Plastics Using Load and Displacement Sensors
mal performance of vacuum panels includes an edge effect due
D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con- to some heat flow through the barrier material and this shunting
tainers and Systems
of heat around the panel becomes more prevalent with greater
E 493 Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer
barrier thermal conductivity, as shown in Fig. 1. For panels
Leak Detector in the Inside-Out Testing Mode
larger than a minimum size (as described in 11.4.1 and
F 88 Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier
Appendix X1), the center-of-panel apparent thermal resistivity
Materials
is the intrinsic core thermal resistivity of the VIP. This
2.2 Other Standards:
center-of-panel measurement is used for quality control, com-
ISO 8318 Packaging - Complete, Filled Transport Packages
pliance verification, and to calculate the effective thermal
- Vibration Tests Using a Sinusoidal Variable Frequency
performance of a panel. The effective thermal performance of
IEC68-2-6, Part 2, Test F, Vibration, Basic Environmental
a panel will vary with the size and shape of the panel.
Testing Procedures
3.2.4.1 Discussion—Thermal resistivity, the inverse of ther-
TAPPI T803 Puncture Test of Containerboard
mal conductivity, is used when discussing the center-of-panel
thermal behavior and this value is independent of the panel
3. Terminology
thickness.
3.1 Definitions—Terminology C 168 applies to terms used
3.2.5 core—the material placed within the evacuated vol-
in this specification.
ume. This material may perform any or all of the following
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
functions: prevent panel collapse due to atmospheric pressure,
3.2.1 adsorbent—a component of some VIP designs, com-
reduce radiation heat transfer, and reduce the mean free path of
prising a chemical or physical scavenger for gas molecules.
the remaining gas molecules. The thermal conductivity of the
3.2.2 barrier—the material used to separate the evacuated
core, or l , is defined as the thermal conductivity of the core
core
volume from the environment.
material under the same vacuum that would occur within a
3.2.3 center-of-panel—a small area located at the center of
panel, but without the barrier material. This is the thermal
the largest planar surface of the panel, equidistant from each
conductivity that would be measured in the center of an
pair of opposite edges of that surface.
infinitely large panel.
3.2.6 effective thermal resistance (Effective R-value)—this
value reflects the total panel resistance to heat flow, consider-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
ing heat flow through the evacuated region and through the
International Organization for Standardization, Case Postale 56, Geneva
CH-1211, Switzerland.
barrier material. Depending on the thermal conductivity of the
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3 Rue De Varembe; PO Box 131,
barrier material and the size of the panel, the effective thermal
Geneva CH-1211, Switzerland.
9 resistance may be significantly less than the product of the
TAPPI, 15 Technology Parkway S., Norcross, GA 30092.
FIG. 1 Side View of a Vacuum Insulation Panel Showing Edge Heat Flow and the Center-of-Panel Region
C 1484
center-of-panel apparent thermal resistivity and the panel 3.3.8 M = molecular weight, kg/mole.
thickness. The effective thermal resistance is based on the
3.3.9 P = pressure, Pa.
edge-to-edge area covered by the VIP, that is, the entire VIP. 3.3.10 p = gas permeance, m/h·Pa.
Note that the effective thermal resistance will also vary with
3.3.11 q = heat flux, W/m .
the panel mean temperature. 3.3.12 Q = heat flow, W.
3.2.6.1 Discussion—Thermal resistance, the inverse of ther-
3.3.13 R = ideal gas constant, 8.315 J/g-mole · K.
mal conductance, is used when discussing the effective thermal 3.3.14 T = temperature, K.
performance of the panel. This value includes the effect of the
3.3.15 V = internal VIP free volume, m .
actual panel dimensions, including the panel thickness.
3.3.16 Z = ratio of simplified heat flow through barrier
edge
3.2.7 effective thermal resistance after puncture—this value
material to simplified heat flow through VIP core.
represents the effective thermal resistance of the panel in the
3.3.17 a = outgassing exponent of filler.
event of a total barrier failure (complete loss of vacuum). The
3.3.18 b = outgassing exponent of barrier.
edge effect is still present after a puncture.
3.3.19 l = thermal conductivity.
3.2.8 evacuated or vacuum insulations—insulation systems
3.3.20 t = time, h.
whose gas phase thermal conductivity portion of the overall
3.3.21 Subscripts:
apparent thermal conductivity has been significantly reduced
3.3.21.1 a = ambient.
by reduction of the internal gas pressure. The level of vacuum
3.3.21.2 e = environmental.
will depend on properties of the composite panel materials, and
3.3.21.3 f = flange.
the desired effective thermal conductivity.
3.3.21.4 i = refers to a specific gas, that is, P is the partial
i
th
3.2.9 seal—any joint between two pieces of barrier mate-
pressure of the i gas.
rial.
3.3.21.5 init = initial.
3.2.10 service life—the thermal resistance of a VIP may
3.3.21.6 s = surface.
degrade with time due to residual outgassing of VIP materials
and gas diffusion through the barrier and seals. Both of these
4. Ordering Information
processes are affected by the VIP’s service environment, most
4.1 Orders shall include the following information:
importantly by the service temperature and humidity in the
4.1.1 Title, designation, and year of issue of this specifica-
surrounding air. The service life is the period of time over
tion,
which the center-of-panel thermal conductivity meets the
4.1.2 Product name,
definition of a superinsulator. A standard-condition service life
4.1.3 Panel size and effective R-value required,
is defined as that period of time over which the center-of-panel
4.1.4 Service environmental parameters: maximum tem-
thermal conductivity meets the definition of a superinsulator
perature, average temperature, maximum relative humidity,
under standard conditions of 24°C (75°F) and 50 % relative
average relative humidity,
humidity. This standard-condition service life must be reported
4.1.5 Required service life,
by the manufacturer, along with their basis for determining this
4.1.6 Tolerance if other than specified,
value. The basis may be either actual, based on measured panel
4.1.7 Quantity of material,
performance, or a combination of measured performance data
4.1.8 Special requirements for inspection or testing, or both,
and a predictive calculation model as described in Appendix
4.1.9 If packaging is other than specified,
X2. The user must recognise that the service life in hotter or
4.1.10 If marking is other than specified,
more humid conditions may be shorter; conversely drier or
4.1.11 Special installation instructions if applicable,
colder environmental conditions can extend the life of the
4.1.12 Required compressive resistance,
panel.
4.1.13 Required effective thermal resistance after puncture,
3.2.11 superinsulation—insulation systems whose center-
4.1.14 Any required fire characteristics,
of-panel thermal resistivity exceeds 87 m · K/W (12.5 h·ft ·°F/
4.1.15 Required creep characteristics,
BTU · in.) measured at 24°C (75°F) mean.
4.1.16 Required seal strength, and
3.3 Symbols and Units—The symbols used in this test
4.1.17 Required dimensional stability at service environ-
method have the following significance:
mental conditions.
3.3.1 A = area, m .
3.3.2 B = outgassing coefficient of panel barrier, Pa·l/
5. Materials and Manufacture
(1–b)
(h ).
(1–a)
5.1 Panel Composite Design—The panel shall consist of a
3.3.3 C = outgassing coefficient of panel filler, Pa·l/(h ).
gas barrier layer(s), as described in 5.2, and an evacuated core
3.3.4 d = density of the gas at standard temperature and
o
material or system as described in 5.3. See Fig. 1. An
pressure, kg/m .
engineered quantity of gas adsorbent may be included. It is not
3.3.5 g = outgassing rate, Pa·l/h.
necessary that the panel design be symmetrical, depending
3.3.6 G = adsorbent capacity, Pa·m .
upon end-use requirements.
3.3.7 k = gas permeation rate, m /h.
5.2 Panel Barrier Composition—The barrier may consist of
one or more layers of materials whose primary functions are to
10 control gas diffusion to the core, and to provide mechanical
For further discussion on heat flow mechanisms in evacuated insulations, see
Practice C 740 on Evacuated Reflective Insulation in Cryogenic Service. protection. The barrier may be metallic, organic, inorganic or a
C 1484
combination thereof depending on the level of vacuum re- affect its thermal performance. The required creep properties
quired, the desired service life, and the intended service should be specified by the purchaser according to the applica-
temperature regimes. Barrier materials are selected to prevent tion.
outgassing, or at least to give off only those gases or vapors 6.6 Barrier Permeance—The barrier permeance is required
which can be conveniently adsorbed. for the VIP Service Life calculations. Note that the barrier
5.3 Panel Core Composition—The core shall comprise a permeance must be measured and reported for individual gases
system of cells, microspheres, powders, fibers, aerogels, or of interest. Note that the barrier permeance may also be
laminates, whose chemical composition may be organic, inor- affected by the service environment.
ganic, metallic, or both. The reticular nature of the core may 6.7 Dimensional Stability at Service Conditions—The
include subsystems such as honeycomb or integral wall sys- maximum allowable change in panel dimensions caused by the
tems. The function of the
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