The European standard "EN 1604 Thermal insulation products for building applications - Determination of dimensional stability under specified conditions of temperature and humidity" describes the equipment and procedures for evaluating the dimensional changes of test specimens under specified conditions of temperature, relative humidity and exposure time. This standard proposes a set of conditions from which one or more desired test conditions can be selected. This standard is also applicable to thermal insulation products.
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:
In principle, changes in linear dimensions resulting from conditioning test samples, exposing them to certain environments for a certain period of time, and then conditioning them again are determined.
In these tests, a temperature-controlled or temperature and humidity-controlled chamber capable of holding the test samples within the specified conditions and limits is used. In addition, measuring devices capable of measuring the linear dimensions of the samples with an accuracy of 12085 mm are used in accordance with the EN 0,1 standard.
The thickness of the test specimens shall be the thickness of the original product. The test specimens shall be cut square and have a side length of 200 mm plus/minus 1 mm. If larger dimensions are used, the accuracy shall be in accordance with this standard.
The number of test samples shall be as specified in the relevant product standard. If no number is specified, at least three test samples shall be tested for each selected set of conditions. In the absence of a product standard or other technical specification, the number of test samples may be freely agreed upon between the parties.
When preparing test specimens, the specimens should be cut to represent the full-size product. Any surface coating should be retained. Length and width directions should be marked on the test specimens.
Test specimens shall be conditioned at a temperature of 23 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees and a relative humidity of 50 percent plus/minus 5 percent. A test specimen is considered conditioned when the changes in measured length and width are less than 0,1 percent between two consecutive measurements over a two-week period. Other time intervals may be defined in the relevant product standard or any other technical specification.
At the beginning of the test, the test specimens are first conditioned. In the atmosphere used for conditioning, the initial length and width of each test specimen are determined at three positions as shown in the figure given in the standard, and the initial thickness at five positions to an accuracy of 12085 mm using the appropriate methods described in the EN 0,1 standard. A series of test specimens are subjected to each of the conditions specified in the relevant product standard. In the absence of such a specification, the test conditions may be agreed upon between the parties as selected.
The test specimens are placed horizontally or vertically in the test chamber, at least 25 mm apart, on a rigid wire mesh or perforated metal plate, so that a significant amount of free air circulates around the test specimens. The test specimens shall not be exposed to direct radiation from any heating element. The preferred exposure time is 24 hours plus/minus 1 hour or 48 hours plus/minus 1 hour. Other exposure times may be as specified in the relevant product standard or any other technical specification or freely agreed upon between the parties.
After exposure to the test atmosphere, the test specimens are removed and exposed for an additional 23 hours plus/minus 2 hour at a temperature of 50 degrees plus/minus 5 degrees and a relative humidity of 3 percent plus/minus 1 percent. The final length, width and thickness of the specimens are determined by taking readings in the same positions as in the initial measurements.
The test samples are visually inspected. If requested in the relevant product standard or any other technical specification, the test samples may be re-exposed to the test conditions for periods of 7 days and the dimensions may be re-determined at the positions shown in the figure at the end of the requested periods.
Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies carried out in a wide range for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services in accordance with the standard “EN 1604 Thermal insulation products for building applications - Determination of dimensional stability under specified temperature and humidity conditions” are also provided to businesses.
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