NISTIR 88-3847

Room-Temperature Thermal

Conductivity of Fumed-Silica

Insulation for a Standard

Reference Material

Robert R. Zarr, Thomas A. Somers, Donn F. Ebberts

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

(Formerly National Bureau of Standards)

National Engineering Laboratory

Heat Transfer Group

Building Environment Division

Center for Building Technology

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

October 1988

Prepared for: U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Building Energy

Research and Development

Washington, DC 20585

Tt1)T*W

NISTIR 88-3847

Room-Temperature Thermal

Conductivity of Fumed-Silica

Insulation for a Standard

Reference Material

Robert R. Zarr, Thomas A. Somers, Donn F. Ebberts

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

(Formerly National Bureau of Standards)

National Engineering Laboratory

Heat Transfer Group

Building Environment Division

Center for Building Technology

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

October 1988

National Bureau of Standards became the

National Institute of Standards and Technology

on August 23, 1988, when the Omnibus Trade and

Competitiveness Act was signed. NIST retains

all NBS functions. Its new programs will encourage

improved use of technology by U.S. industry.

Prepared for: U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Building Energy

Research and Development

Washington, DC 20585

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

C. William Verity, Secretary

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS

AND TECHNOLOGY

Ernest Ambler, Director
Mmmm

mmmm
1 . INTRODUCTION

Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) are materials chosen for physical

properties which are stable and well characterized. For thermal

insulation measurements, SRMs of low thermal conductivity are available

having certified values of thermal conductivity over a range of

parameters, such as bulk density and mean temperature. SRMs of low

thermal conductivity provide a means for accurate inter- laboratory

comparison of conductivity measurements. SRMs are utilized by industry,

academic, and government laboratories for calibrating heat-flux-meter

apparatus, or checking the accuracy of guarded-hot-plate apparatus. New

thermal conductivity SRMs are sought to improve the accuracy of these

apparatus over a greater operating range.

In 1977, an advisory panel consisting of members from a working group

of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) C-16 Committee

developed a plan for selecting materials for SRMs of low thermal

conductivity [1]. An SRM was needed having a thermal conductivity of

approximately 0.023 W/m*K (0.16 Btu» in/h* f

2 • °F) , suitable for a temperature range of -175 to 900°C (-280 to 1700°F). The advisory panel

decided that microporous fumed-silica insulation was the most suitable

material for development of an SRM meeting these requirements.

Recently, four lots of fumed-silica insulation materials were

evaluated [2] at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in Gaithersburg,

Maryland. The materials were evaluated by the following criteria: (1)

variability of the thermal conductivity within a lot, (2) variability of

material physical properties, (3) relative ease of handling, (4)

stability under heat treatment, and (5) economic considerations. One

material was recommended as a candidate for further study as a possible

SRM.

NBS procured a second lot of candidate material from the manufacturer,

Wacker-Chemie GmbH1

, for further evaluation. Fifteen specimens from the

second lot were randomly selected and their thermal conductivity measured

using the NBS 1 -metre Guarded Hot Plate (GHP) at a mean temperature of

297 K and ambient air pressure of 101.3 kPa. Thermal conductivity was

measured after conditioning each specimen at 21 °C and 30% relative

humidity, and then remeasured after being oven-dried at 100°C and

uncontrolled humidity. From the 15 specimens, a smaller set of specimens

was measured over the temperature and pressure limits of the apparatus.

Results of the evaluation are presented in this report.

Product disclaimer

Because the product is a candidate SRM material, it is necessary to

identify the manufacturer so other laboratories may obtain similar

material. This in no way represents an endorsement of this material by

NBS.

1
2. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIMENS

The specimens of fumed- silica board were obtained in the form of

square panels having nominal dimensions of 600 by 600 by 25.4 mm (23.6 x

23.6 x 1 in.). The nominal bulk density for a 600 mm square board was

310 kg/m3 (19.4 lb/ft3 ). A total of 150 insulation boards was obtained,

all manufactured from one batch of raw material.

After inspecting the lot, 75 insulation boards were selected for

inclusion in the SRM lot. An additional 15 boards were selected for

measurements of thermal conductivity using the NBS 1 -metre Guarded Hot

Plate. Because of concerns raised about the durability of the material,

two boards with surface cracks were selected among the 15 specimens.

They were identified as samples B-01 and B-02.

2.1 Specimen Material and Manufacturing Process

Fumed-silica insulation board is a silica-aerogel composite comprised

primarily of submicron particles of synthetic, amorphous silica (Si02 ) bonded together in a cellular structure. Information specific to the

candidate lot of 150 specimens was obtained from the manufacturer [3].

The fumed-silica insulation material consists of: (1) amorphous silica,

60%; (2) ilmenite (FeTi03 ), 35%, as an opacifier; and (3) ceramic fiber,

5%, used to strengthen the material. The fumed-silica particles have a surface-area to mass ratio of 300 m

2 /g and a mean-diameter of

approximately 10" 8 m.

In the manufacturing process, the raw material is layered between two

plates, raked level, then pressed into panel form. The panel is removed

and heated at 900°C to burn out all carbonaceous material. The finished

product contains no organic compounds.

Previous work [2] showed a small decrease (1 to 2%) in apparent

thermal conductivity after heat- treatment at 550°C for eight hours. To

prepare the material for testing at high temperatures, the lot of 150

specimens was heat-treated at 650°C by the manufacturer for an additional

eight hours

.

2.2 Material Handling

Compared to fibrous glass board, (NBS SRM 1450b) , fumed-silica

insulation board is extremely fragile and requires extra care when

handling. The material may crack or break if lifted too quickly. At

NBS, the specimens were transported by first gently lifting one edge of

the specimen and then sliding a flat, smooth support board such as

plexiglas or bakelite under the insulation. The support board was then

used to transport the insulation. The size of the specimen handled was

600 mm square.

2
The fumed-silica insulation board is friable. Sliding the support

board under the insulation produced a thin layer of "dust" material on

the support board. A residual layer of dust material was also deposited

on the individual's hands. Gloves were worn when working with the

material. As a precaution, NBS personnel also wore dust masks while

working with the material. Further information concerning the health

issues of fumed-silica is available in ASTM STP 732, Health Effects of

Synthetic Silica Particulates [4]

3. PRESSURE CONTROL OF THE NBS 1-m GUARDED HOT PLATE

Due to the microporous nature of the material, the apparent thermal

conductivity depends not only on the type of gas within the pores of the

material, but also the gas pressure. Previous measurements by NBS [2] at

atmospheric pressure have shown a variation of 1.5 kPa (15 mbar; 0.44 in.

Hg) produced an approximate change of 0.7% in the specimen apparent

thermal conductivity. The pressure dependence is caused by the meanfree-path limitation of the gas molecules within the pores of the

material

The original design of the NBS 1-m GHP did not provide for pressure

control within the environmental chamber surrounding the apparatus.

Thermal measurements of fumed-silica insulation board by NBS [2] were

obtained only when the barometric pressure was steady within ±0.1 kPa (±1

mbar; ±0.03 in. Hg)

For this study, a major modification of the

apparatus was undertaken to control the ambient air pressure within the

environmental chamber.

3.1 Description of the Environmental Chamber

The temperature-controlled plates of the apparatus are housed within a large, six-sided rectangular environmental chamber, 1.4 by 1.4 by 1.6 m

high (4.6 x 4.6 x 5.3 ft). The walls of the chamber consist of 150 mm (3

in.) thick panels of polyurethane insulation encased in a structural

shell of aluminum sheet reinforced with aluminum cross-members. Two sets

of double-doors, both front and back, allow access to the apparatus

plates. Air is conditioned and circulated within the chamber by a small

heat exchanger consisting of a chilled-water coil, an electric-resistance

heater and a blower. Detailed descriptions of the NBS 1-m GHP have

appeared previously [5,6]. The apparatus is shown in Figure 1.

3,2 Modifications for Pressure Control

The modifications for controlling air pressure within the

environmental chamber required sealing the structure of the chamber as

air-tight as possible and installing a controlled air supply and

evacuation system. As a starting point, a previous structural analysis

3
of the environmental chamber by Dr. William Stone [6] was examined to

determine the pressure limits the chamber could sustain. The analysis

indicated the chamber could withstand an internal pressure of 87.6 to 290

kPa (876 to 2900 mbar; 12.7 to 42 psia) before structural failure could

be expected. Initial design considerations were to control the chamber

pressure within ±0.2 kPa (±2 mbar; ±0.06 in. Hg) with a range of ±1.5 kPa

(±15 mbar; ±0.44 in. Hg) around barometric conditions, well within the

limits specified in the structural analysis.

In order to locate leaks in the environmental chamber, the doors were

removed and replaced with polyethylene sheet taped to the structure

walls. The chamber was pressurized slightly and a trace quantity of

gaseous refrigerant was injected into the chamber. An electronic leak

detector was used to locate escaping refrigerant through the structure.

The openings were sealed with silicone room- temperature-vulcanizing

rubber

.

Several items of hardware on the apparatus were modified to reduce air

leakage. Electrical sensor wires and plumbing lines for the cold plates

of the apparatus were re-routed through separate openings located in

opposing walls of the chamber. Openings around electrical sensor wires

were sealed with plastic putty or expanding foam. The plumbing lines

were replaced with hard-drawn copper pipe, threaded fasteners and quick

disconnects to provide an air-tight seal at the wall interface. The

original gasket between the chamber and double-doors was removed and

replaced with a miter-cut gasket of natural rubber. Two one-piece

aluminum doors were fabricated and replaced the original four doubledoors. The new doors were secured to the chamber using four steel

brackets clamped at each corner of the door.

Despite these efforts, the chamber was not made completely air-tight.

Small leaks persisted around the openings used for electrical sensor

wires and between the gasket and doors. These leaks required the air

supply and evacuation control system, described below, to be operated

continuously during thermal measurement of the specimens.

3.3 Air Supply and Evacuation Control System

The air supply and evacuation control system for the environmental

chamber is illustrated in Figure 2. A supply air pressure line and an

evacuation line provided mass flow (m: ) to/from the environmental

chamber, compensating for changes in the barometric pressure. Air flow

to/from the chamber (m: ) was regulated by controlling exhaust/make-up air

(m2 ) with a 3-way motorized valve. A small desk-top microcomputer

controlled the valve. A digital pressure transducer produced a feedback

signal for the closed- loop control of the 3-way motorized valve.

The supply air system was capable of raising the chamber air pressure

5.5 kPa (55 mbar; 1.6 in. Hg) above ambient atmospheric pressure; the

evacuation system, 3.0 kPa (30 mbar; 0.89 in. Hg) below atmospheric

pressure. For thermal measurements, however, the systems were limited to

4
approximately one-half these values. The barometric pressure at the site

averaged about 100.0 kPa (1000 mbar) during a five-month test period and

ranged between extremes of 98.15 to 102.40 kPa (981.5 to 1024.0 mbar).

The majority of the tests were conducted with the environmental chamber

pressurized at 101.3 kPa (1 atmosphere at STP) . Pressure control within

the environmental chamber was measured to be ±0.2 kPa (±2 mbar; ±0.06 in.

Hg).

As mentioned, the small leaks in the structure required operating the

air supply and evacuation control system continuously during thermal

testing. When supply air was introduced to the chamber, the relative

humidity (rh) of the air in the chamber was found to range between 5 and

15%. The evacuation system, when used, caused laboratory air to

infiltrate into the chamber. The laboratory air was controlled at 40% rh

±2% rh.

3,4 Uncertainties in the Chamber Pressure Measurement

During thermal testing, the digital pressure transducer measured the

chamber air pressure and the corresponding output signal was recorded by

the data acquisition system. A precision aneroid barometer and

barometric stripchart recorder were used to monitor the barometric

pressure. The aneroid barometer was calibrated using the NBS TripleScale Aneroid which is reported to be uncertain by ±10 Pa (±0.10 mbar;

±0.003 in. Hg) . The output and display of the pressure transducer were

checked with the precision aneroid barometer. The uncertainty of the

output of the pressure transducer was estimated to be ±0.15 kPa (±1.5

mbar; ±0.044 in. Hg) . The stripchart recorder was calibrated to within

±0.05 kPa (±0.5 mbar; ±0.01 in. Hg)

4. VARIATION OF SPECIMEN PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Prior to the measurement of thermal conductivity, the fumed-silica

insulation boards were conditioned in laboratory air at 21 °C ±1°C, 30% rh

±10% rh. Specimens were room-conditioned a minimum of 7 days. Prior to

the second set of thermal measurements, the specimens were conditioned

for a minimum of 24 hours in an hot-air oven at 100°C, uncontrolled

humidity

After room conditioning, the thickness of each specimen was measured

using a caliper capable of 0.1 mm resolution. The specimen thickness was

measured at nine equal-area locations over the 600 mm square specimen and

nine measurements were averaged. No significant change was noted in the

dimensions of the specimen after conditioning at 100°C.

The bulk density for the 600 mm square area was determined after

conditioning at 21 °C, 30% rh and again after conditioning at 100°C. The

specimen mass was measured with a digital laboratory balance with an

5
uncertainty of ±0.1%. Also after conditioning at 100°C, the moisture

content of the room-conditioned specimens was determined.

The average specimen thickness and bulk density for the 15 specimens

(samples, B-01 to B-15) are presented in Table 1. The moisture content

(by mass) for the room-conditioned specimens is also presented in Table

1 . Averages for the three parameters are tabulated and a variation of

one standard deviation (lcr) is included with the average.

The average thickness for the 15 specimens was 25.7 mm ±0.1 mm. The

average bulk density for the 15 specimens was 320.4 kg/m3 ±7.1 kg/m3 after conditioning at 21 °C, 30% rh, and was 315.2 kg/m3 ±6.5 kg/m3 after

conditioning at 100°C. The average moisture content for the 15 roomconditioned specimens was 1.6%.

5. THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY MEASUREMENTS

For brevity, the term, thermal conductivity (A), will be used to

denote apparent thermal conductivity in this report. The thermal

conductivity of the fumed- silica insulation specimens was measured using

the NBS 1-metre Guarded Hot Plate. The measurements examined the effect

of bulk density (p) , moisture content (MC) , mean temperature (Tm ), and

barometric pressure (P) , on the thermal conductivity.

Tests were performed in accordance with procedures described in ASTM

test method C-177 and practice C-1044 [7,8]. For all tests, the guarded

hot plate was operated in a one-sided mode of operation. The backflow

specimen was aged, extruded polystyrene, 150 mm (6 in.) thick. In

general, steady-state test conditions were achieved within 24 hours.

The thermal conductivity of the specimen was determined by the

following equation;

A = L/R (1)

where L is the average specimen thickness, (m) , and R is the thermal

resistance of the specimen, (K»m2 /W) , defined as the ratio of temperature

difference (AT) to time-rate heat flux (Q/A) . The average specimen

thickness (L) was described above. An uncertainty of ±0.8% was estimated

for the thickness measurement. The uncertainty in the thermal resistance

measurement was estimated to be ±0.5% [9]. Assuming the two

uncertainties to be equally probable in both directions, an overall

uncertainty of ±0.9% was estimated for the thermal conductivity

measurement

.

A low-density fibrous-glass batt having a nominal thickness of 90 mm

(3.5 in.) was used as the mask material. The thermal conductivity of the

fibrous-glass batt compressed to 25.48 mm (1.003 in.) was found to be

0.0339 W/m»K. The effect on the specimen heat transfer was checked by

6
stacking and measuring two oven-dried specimens, samples B-07 and B-ll.

The thermal resistance of the two stacked specimens was within 0.3% of

the sum of the individual resistances (at 297 K, 101.3 kPa)

6. ANALYSIS OF DATA

6.1 Dependence on Bulk Density

Thermal conductivity measurements for the 15 specimens conditioned at

21 °C, 30% rh are summarized in Table 2. Measurements were conducted at a mean specimen temperature of 297 K and chamber air pressure of 101.3 kPa.

The initial and final moisture contents (MC) by mass for each specimen

are also summarized. All specimens experienced a loss of mass during the

thermal conductivity measurement as shown in Table 2. The mass loss was

attributed to migration of water vapor from the specimen during the test

period

Thermal conductivity measurements for the 15 specimens conditioned 24

hours at 100°C and uncontrolled humidity are summarized in Table 3.

Measurements were conducted at a mean specimen temperature of 297 K and

chamber air pressure of 101.3 kPa. The final moisture content for each

specimen indicates all specimens experienced a small increase in moisture

content during the test period.

Thermal conductivity measurements as a function of bulk density are

illustrated in Figure 3 for the data from Tables 2 and 3. Measurements

for each specimen are shown as individual data points. The circular data

points are for specimens room-conditioned and the square points are for

specimens oven-dried prior to thermal measurement. A linear leastsquares fit for each set of data was obtained using the NBS statistical

program Dataplot [10]. The best-fit equation is of the following form;

A = A0 + • p (2)

where, A0 and A1 are regression coefficients and p is the specimen bulk

density (kg/m3 ). Regression coefficients are presented below for the two

sets of data.

Curve A (room-conditioned): A = 0.01323 + 2. 592x10" 5

• p

Curve B (oven-dried): A = 0.01462 + 1.992xl0" 5

• p

A moisture content of 1.6% (by mass) increased the specimen thermal

conductivity of the fumed-silica insulation by approximately 2.4% at 297

K, 101.3 kPa

Calculated residuals (in percent) for the Curve "B". equation are

illustrated in Figure 4. For 99% confidence limits (±3a) , the departure

from the fit is within ±1.1%. For the room-conditioned data, the

departure from Curve "A" is within ±1.7% at 99% confidence limits.

7
6.2

Reproducibility of the Thermal Conductivity Measurement

Two thermal conductivity measurements for two roOm-conditioned

specimens, samples B-08 and B-15, are summarized in Table 2. The two

measurements for samples B-08 and B-15 were within 3.3% and 0.3%,

respectively, of each other. Different specimen moisture contents at the

time of measurement were responsible for the large variation of

conductivity for sample B-08.

Three different thermal conductivity measurements for sample B-09 are

summarized in Table 3. For each measurement, the specimen was oven-dried

at 100 °C a minimum of 24 hours prior to measurement. The thermal

conductivity measurements at test conditions of 297 K, 101.3 kPa were

reproducible to within ±0.4%.

6.3

Temperature Dependence

Thermal conductivity measurements for sample B-08 at three mean

temperatures and an average chamber air pressure of 101.2 kPa are

summarized in Table 4. Measurements were conducted at mean temperatures

of 283.11, 297.00 and 311.02 K and chamber air pressures of 101.08,

101.39, 101.26 kPa, respectively.

Thermal conductivity measurements as a function of mean specimen

temperature are illustrated in Figure 5 for the data from Table 4. A

linear equation was fit to the data. The final form of the best-fit

equation is presented below;

A = 0.01650 + 1 .612x10" 5 • Tm where Tm is the mean specimen temperature in K.

6.4

Pressure Dependence

Thermal conductivity measurements for several specimens at different

chamber air pressures and Tm at 297 K are summarized in Tables 5 and 6.

Measurements in Table 5 are for room-conditioned specimens. Measurements

in Table 6 are for specimens conditioned at 100°C.

Thermal conductivity measurements as a function of chamber air

pressure for specimens with three or more data points are illustrated in

Figure 6. Measurements are shown as individual data points. Samples fi- ll and B-15 were room-conditioned. Samples B-01, B-06, B-09, B-13, B-14

and B-ll again, were conditioned at 100°C. A linear least-squares fit

(solid line) was obtained for the data for each specimen.

Regression pressur-e coefficients are summarized in Table 7. ,.^While the

intercept term (A0 ) varies for each specimen due to different bulk

density and moisture contents, the slope term (Ax ) for each specimen is

similar. The average slope for all specimens is 7. 540x10" 5 (W/m*K*kPa)

with a variation of one standard deviation (la) ±0.455xl0" 5 (W/m»K*kPa)

.

8
7. DISCUSSION

7.1 Thermal Characterization

The thermal conductivity of specimens from the candidate lot of fumedsilica insulation board is characterized for the ranges of bulk density,

mean temperature and barometric pressure shown in Table 8, below.

Table 8. Range of parameters for thermal characterization of the

fumed-silica insulation board.

Parameter Range Units

Bulk Density - Dry 304.5 < p < 325.4 (kg/m3

) Mean Temperature 283.11 < Tm < 311.02 (K)

Barometric Pressure 97.51 < P < 103.43 (kPa)

Thermal conductivity measurements on some representative specimens from

these lots at lower pressures as well as high temperatures are in process

at NBS-Boulder, Colorado (USA) [11].

7.2 Results of Thermal Measurements

The low variation, ±1.1% at 99% confidence limits, for the oven-dried

specimen thermal conductivity as a function of bulk density is considered

excellent. Measurement reproducibility for the oven-dried specimens is

also considered excellent.

The variation for thermal conductivity measurements of roomconditioned specimens is also excellent, ±1.7% (99% confidence limits).

However, the measurements of room-conditioned specimens were not always

reproducible. Observe the difference between thermal conductivity

measurements of sample B-08 in Table 2. Different moisture contents at

the time of measurement were responsible for the large variation of

conductivity for sample B-08. In fact, the moisture content of all the

room-conditioned specimens varied (see Table 2), even though the

conditioning time was about the same, one to two weeks. For this reason,

NBS recommends the SRM material be measured at room- temperature only

after receiving adequate drying, such as heat- treatment at 100°C for 24

hours prior to measurement.

A change of 27.9 K in mean temperature produced a change of 2.1% in

the specimen thermal conductivity (see Table 4)

A -change of 3,-6 4tP-a in the -chamber air pressure around ambient

atmospheric pressure caused a change of 1.3% in the specimen thermal

conductivity (see Table 5, sample B-15). The effect of ambient pressure

on the thermal conductivity of other NBS SRMs (fibrous-glass board and

9
blanket, SRMs 1450b and 1451, respectively) is only observed at much

lower ambient pressure, below 10 kPa (100 mbar) [12]. For thermal

conductivity apparatus without pressure control, measurement of this

fumed- silica SRM will require recording the barometric pressure.

Fortunately, the barometric pressure can. remain stable (within ±0.1 kPa)

for several hours

.

7.3 Variation of Atmospheric Pressure with Altitude

The change in atmospheric pressure due to altitude is examined using

the NACA standard atmosphere relationships [13]. For altitudes below

10,769 m (below the isothermal layer), the following relationship is

appropriate

;

P

(aR)' 1

'V a

1 - ( —)Z

T0 J

(3)

where

,

P0 = Standard pressure at sea level = 101.325 kPa = 760 mm Hg

a = Standard temperature lapse rate = 0.0065 K*m_1

T0 = Standard absolute temperature at sea level = 288 K

Z = Altitude (m)

R = Standard gas constant for dry air = 29.2745 m*K_1

The low ambient pressure limit achieved for the NBS 1-m GHP was 97.51 kPa

(975.1 mbar; 28.88 in. Hg) . For P = 97.51 kPa, Equation 3 yields an

upper elevation limit of 322.4 m (1058 ft). For reference only, an

expanded listing of values for the NACA standard atmosphere is provided

in the Appendix, Table A1

.

7.4 Durability

The fumed-silica insulation is a relatively fragile material for use

as an SRM. Surface cracks will eventually develop on a specimen and

propagate with repeated usage. To ascertain the effect of surface cracks

on the thermal conductivity, two specimens, samples B-01 and B-02, were

specifically selected with cracks on the specimen. The crack in sample

B-01 ran the entire length of the specimen, passing through the area

corresponding to the metered-area of the 1-m GHP. No discernable

difference in specimen thermal conductivity was noted for either of these

specimens (see Tables 2 and 3). However, to avoid mechanical damage and

extend the lifetime of the SRM, NBS recommends using a smooth support

board when transporting the material,

10
7.5 Moisture and Liquid Penetration Concerns

The microporous fumed- silica insulation is hygroscopic and should be

stored in an area with a relative humidity of 50% or less. Direct contact

with liquids should be avoided. Contact with liquids causes irreparable

damage to the material in the area of contact. The affected area

experiences permanent shrinkage.

8 . CONCLUSIONS

Thermal conductivity measurements were completed on 15 specimens from a

second lot of fumed-silica insulation using the NBS 1-metre Guarded Hot

Plate. The measurements examined the effect of bulk density, mean

temperature, barometric pressure, and moisture content on the specimen

thermal conductivity. The material is characterized for the following

ranges of these parameters: bulk density, 304.5 to 325.4 kg/m3

; mean

temperature, 283.1 to 311.0 K; and barometric pressure, 97.51 to 103.43

kPa . The effect of moisture content on room- temperature measurement can be

minimized by conditioning the specimen at 100°C for 24 hours prior to

measurement. This material is sufficiently characterized at roomtemperature to be offered as a Standard Reference Material of low thermal

conductivity. Seventy-five samples (600 by 600 by 25.4 mm) of the fumedsilica insulation were transferred to the Office of Standard Reference

Materials in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA.

9 . REFERENCES

1. ASTM Subcommittee C16.30, "Reference Materials for Insulation

Measurement Comparisons", Thermal Transmission Measurements of

Insulation. ASTM STP 660 . R.P. Tye , Ed., Philadelphia: American

Society for Testing and Materials, 1978, pp.7-29.

2. Rennex, B.G., Somers, T.A., Faison, T.K.

and Zarr, R.R.

"Evaluation

Of Fumed-Silica Insulation For A Thermal Conductivity Standard

Reference Material" , Insulation Materials. Testing and Applications.

ASTM STP 922 . Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and

Materials, 1988.

3. John J. Collins, Wacker Chemie GmbH, Werk Kempten, West Germany

(Private Communication)

4. ASTM Committee E-34, Health Effects of Synthetic Silica Particulates.

ASTM STP 732 . D . D . -Dunnom , Ed., Philadelphia; American Society for

Testing and Materials, 1979.

11
5. Powell, F.J. and Rennex, B.G., "The NBS Line -Heat- Source Guarded Hot

Plate For Thick Materials", Proceedings of the ASHRAE/DOE Conference

on the Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings-II , Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, December 1982.

6. Rennex, B.G., "An Assessment of the NBS 1-m Guarded-Hot-Plate

Limits", NBSIR 85-3221 . National Bureau of Standards,

Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, August 1985.

7. ASTM 1986, "Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux

Measurements And Thermal Transmission Properties By Means Of The

Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus", 1986 Annual Book Of ASTM Standards . Vol 04.06, ASTM C-177-85, Philadelphia: American Society for

Testing and Materials, 1986, pp . 21-36.

8. ASTM 1986, "Standard Practice for Using The Guarded-Hot-Plate

Apparatus In The One-Sided Mode To Measure Steady-State Heat Flux

And Thermal Transmission Properties", 1986 Annual Book Of ASTM

Standards . Vol 04.06 ASTM C-1044-85, Philadelphia: American

Society for Testing and Materials, 1986, pp. 685-688.

9. Rennex, B.G, "Error Analysis for the NBS 1016 mm Guarded Hot

Plate", NBSIR 83-2674 . National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg,

Maryland, USA, February 1983.

10. Filliben, J.J., "Dataplot, Introduction And Overview", NBS

Special Publication 667, National Bureau of Standards, Washington

D . C .

,

June 1984

.

11. Hust, J.G., Filla, B.J., Hurley, J.A., and Smith, D.R., "An

Automated High-Temperature Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus for

Measuring Apparent Thermal Conductivity of Insulations Between

300 and 750 K" , Insulation Materials. Testing and Applications.

ASTM STP 922 . Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and

Materials, 1988.

12. Smith D.R. and Hust J.G., "Effective Thermal Conductivity Of GlassFiber Board And Blanket Standard Reference Materials", Proceedings of

the Seventeenth International Thermal Conductivity Conference . J.G.

Hust, Ed., National Bureau of Standards, June 1981, pp. 483-496.

13. List, R.J., Smithsonian Meteorological Tables . Sixth Revised

Edition, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 1966, pp. 265-

267.

10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors express appreciation to the Department of Energy whose

sponsorship made this SRM possible. Program and technical coordination

12
was provided by Dr. David L. McElroy of the Oak Ridge National

Laboratory. Additional guidance and input was also provided by an

Advisory Panel consisting of members of the American Society of Testing

and Materials 016 Committee. The technical support involved in the

preparation, certification, and issuance of this SRM were coordinated

through the Office of Standard Reference Materials by Dr. Raymond L.

McKenzie. The authors thank Dr. A. Hunter Fanney for his support through

this project and for developing the computer algorithm used for pressure

control of the 1-m Guarded Hot Plate. The authors recognize the efforts

of Mr. John J. Collins of Wacker Chemie GmbH.

APPENDIX

TABLE Al

NACA Standard Atmosphere, Lower Atmosphere (Expanded Listing)

Elevation Pressure

(m) (ft) (kPa) (mbar

(mm Hg) (in Hg) ( atm)

-100 - 3.28 102.533 1025.33 769.06 30.28 1.012

0 0 101.325 1013.25 760.00 29.92 1.000

100 328 100.129 1001.29 751.03 29.57 0.988

200 656 98.944 989.44 742.14 29.22 0.977

300 984 97.771 977.71 733.34 28.87 0.965

400 1312 96.609 966.09 724.63 28.53 0.953

500 1640 95.458 954.58 716.00 28.19 0.942

600 1969 94.319 943.19 707.45 27.85 0.931

700 2297 93.190 931.90 698. 98 _ 27.52 0.920

800 2625 92.073 920.73 690.60 27.19 0.909

900 2953 90.966 909.66 682.30 26.86 0.898

1000 3281 89.870 898.70 674.08 26.54 0.887

1100 3609 88.785 887.85 665.94 26.22 0.876

1200 3937 87.710 877.10 657.88 25.90 0.866

1300 4265 86.646 866.46 649.90 25.59 0.855

1400 4593 85.593 855.93 642.00 25.28 0.845

1500 4921 84.550 845.50 634.17 24.97 0.834

1600 5249 83.517 835.17 626.43 24.66 0.824

1700 5577 82.494 824.94 618.76 24.36 0.814

1800 5906 81.482 814.82 611.16 24.06 0.804

1900 6234 80.479 804.79 603.65 23.77 0.794

2000 6562 79.487 794.87 596.20 23.47 0.784

13
TABLE 1

Physical properties of the fumed- silica specimens.

Specimens conditioned at 21 °C, 30% rh and then oven-dried at 100°C.

Moisture content is for specimens conditioned at 21 °C, 30% rh.

Sample

Number

Average

Specimen

Thickness

(mm)

Bulk Dens i tv

Room Oven

Conditioned Dried

(kg/m3

) (kg/m3)

Moisture

Content

by mass

(%)

B-01 25.8 328.4 322.5 1.8

B-02 25.7 317.2 310.6 2.1

B-03 25.7 327.3 322.2 1.6

B-04 25.8 325.3 319.3 1.9

B-05 25.6 314.2 309.9 1.4

B-06 25.7 310.5 306.1 1.5

B-07 25.5 318.9 313.5 1.7

B-08 25.5 333.1 325.4 2.4

B-09 25.6 313.8 309.4 1.4

B- 10 25.6 308.5 304.5 1.3

B-ll 25.7 318.1 313.6 1.4

B- 12 25.7 319.9 315.1 1.5

B- 13 25.7 318.6 312.8 1.9

B- 14 25.5 328.1 323.2 1.5

B- 15 25.7 324.1 319.8 1.3

Average 25.7 320.4 315.2 1.6

Standard Deviation ±0.1 ±7.1 ±6.5 ±0.3

14
TABLE 2

Thermal conductivity measurements at Tm = 297 K, P = 101.3 kPa.

Specimens conditioned at 21 °C, 30% rh.

MC = moisture content.

mple

mber

Average

Specimen

Thickness

(mm)

Bulk

Density

(kg/m3

)

Plate Temperatures

Hot Cold

(K) (K)

Measured

Thermal

Conductivity

(W/m»K)

Initial

MC

(%)

Final

MC

(%)

Mass

Change

(g)

-01 25.8 328.4 310.90 283.13 0.02161 1.8 1.7 -4.5

-02 25.7 317.2 310.93 283.10 0.02167 2.1 1.9 -7.8

-03 25.7 327.3 310.95 283.07 0.02155 1.6 1.5 -3.8

-04 25.8 325.3 310.95 283.10 0.02188 1.9 1.7 -5.0

-05 25.6 314.2 310.97 283.11 0.02144 1.4 1.3 -2.7

-06 25.7 310.5 310.92 283.09 0.02123 1.5 1.4 -1.0

-07 25.5 318.9 310.96 283.12 0.02154 1.7 1.7 -2.0

-08 25.5 333.1 310.96 283.11 0.02202 2.4 2.1 -7.5

-08* 25.5 330.3 310.92 283.07 0.02131 1.2 1.1 -5.2

-09 25.6 313.8 310.97 283.10 0.02141 1.4 1.3 -4.4

-10 25.6 308.5 310.94 283.11 0.02121 1.3 1.0 -7.8

-11 25.7 318.1 310.93 283.12 C. 02136 1.4 1.3 -3.2

-12 25.7 319.9 310.94 283.11 0.02143 1.5 1.4 -3.4

-13 25.7 318.6 310.93 283.12 0.02139 1.9 1.6 -6.7

- 14 25.5 328.1 310.93 283.10 0.02169 1.5 1.4 -3.4

.-15 25.7 324.1 310.96 283.10 0.02159 1.3 1.2 -4.2

-15* 25.7 324.2 310.95 283.11 0.02152 1.4 1.1 -7.3

Specimen remeasured

15
TABLE 3

Thermal conductivity measurements at Tm = 297 K, P = 101.3 kPa.

Specimens conditioned at 100°C, uncontrolled humidity (24 hr minimum).

MC = moisture content.

Sample

Number

Average

Specimen

Thickness

(mm)

Bulk

Density

(kg/m3

)

Plate TemDeratures

Hot Cold

(K) (K)

Measured

Thermal

Conductivity

(W/m»K)

Initial

MC

(%)

Final

MC

(%)

i Mass

Chang

(g)

B-01 25.8 322.5 310.95 283.11 0.02106 0 0.3 +10.

C

B-02 25.7 310.6 310.97 283.12 0.02084 0 0.3 + 8.8

B-03 25.7 322.2 310.97 283.12 0.02103 0 0.3 + 9.4

B-04 25.8 319.3 310.94 283.11 0.02116 0 0.3 + 9.6

B-05 25.6 309.9 310.96 283.12 0.02090 0 0.3 + 9.1

B-06 25.7 306.1 310.95 283.15 0.02073 0 0.4 +10.9

B-07 25.5 313.5 310.96 283.11 0.02082 0 0.3 + 8.4

B-08 25.5 325.4 310.97 283.13 0.02097 0 0.3 +10.2

B-09 25.6 309.4 310.96 283.11 0.02070 0 0.4 +12.2

6-09* 25.6 309.4 310.95 283.12 0.02084 0 0.4 +10.9

B-09* 25.6 309.3 310.95 283.10 0.02080 0 0.4 +10.4

B- 10 25.6 304.5 310.94 283.11 0.02070 0 0.3 + 7.9

B-U 25.7 313.6 310.96 283.11 0.02078 0 0.3 + 9.3

B-12 25.7 315.1 310.94 283.09 0.02089 0 0.4 + 10.2

B-13 25.7 312.8 310.95 283.11 0.02079 0 0.4 + 12.7

B- 14 25.5 323.2 310.95 283.13 0.02113 0 0.3 + 9.4

B- 15 25.7 319.8 310.98 283.12 0.02102 0 0.3 + 9.4

Specimen remeasured
TABLE 4

Thermal conductivity measurements at P = 101.2 kPa, Tm varies.

Specimen conditioned at 21 °C, 30% rh.

Average Measured Chamber

Sample Specimen Bulk Plate Temperatures Thermal Air

dumber Thickness

(mm)

Density

(kg/m3

) Hot

(K)

Cold

(K)

Mean

(K)

Conductivity

(W/m-K)

Pressure

(kPa)

B-08 25.5 330.3 297.12 269.11 283.11 0.02106 101.08

B-08 25.5 330.3 310.92 283.07 297.00 0.02131 101.39

B-08 25.5 330.3 325.10 296.94 311.02 0.02151 101.26

17
TABLE 5

Thermal conductivity measurements at Tm = 297 K, P varies.

Specimens conditioned at 21 °C, 30% rh.

Sample

Number

Average

Specimen

Thickness

(mm)

Bulk

Density

(kg/m3

)

Measured

Plate Temoeratures Thermal

Hot Cold Conductivity

(K) (K) (W/m-K)

Chamber

Air

Pressure

(kPa)

B-ll 25.7 318.1 310.94 283.12 0.02116 98.55

B-ll 25.7 318.1 310.94 283.12 0.02117 98.83

B-ll 25.7 318.1 310.93 283.12 0.02136 101.40

B-ll 25.7 318.1 310.93 283.12 0.02125 99.97

B-ll 25.7 318.1 310.95 283.12 0.02137 101.03

B- 15 25.7 324.1 310.89 283.10 0.02156 100.48

B- 15 25.7 324.1 310.96 283.10 0.02159 101.25

B- 15 25.7 324.1 310.96 283.10 0.02145 99.36

B-15 25.7 324.1 310.96 283.11 0.02165 101.89

B-15 25.7 324.1 310.97 283.10 0.02147 99.69

B-15 * 25.7 324.2 310.95 283.11 0.02152 101.24

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.96 283.11 0.02142 99.86

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.95 283.11 0.02160 102.02

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.95 283.12 0.02169 103.40

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.95 283.11 0.02170 103.43

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.95 283.11 0.02154 101.48

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.96 283.12 0.02146 100.39

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.96 283.12 0.02145 100.30

B-15 * 25.7 324.2 310.96 283.12 0.02135 99.34

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.96 283.12 0.02128 98.43

B-15 25.7 324.2 310.96 283.12 0.02140 100.03

Specimen remeasured

18
TABLE 6

Thermal conductivity measurements at Tm = 297 K, P varies.

Specimens conditioned at 100°C, uncontrolled humidity, 24 hr minimum.

Sample

Number

Average

Specimen

Thickness

(mm)

Bulk

Density

(kg/m3

)

Measured

Plate Tenroeratures Thermal

Hot Cold Conductivity

(K) (K) (W/m-K)

Chamber

Air

Pressure

(kPa)

B-01 25.8 322.5 310.96 283.11 0.02095 99.77

B-01 25.8 322.5 310.96 283.11 0.02089 98.96

B-01 25.8 322.5 310.95 283.11 0.02106 101.29

B-01 25.8 322.5 310.96 283.11 0.02096 99.99

B-01 25.8 322.5 310.96 283.11 0.02095 99.85

B-02 25.7 310.6 310.98 283.12 0.02078 100.33

B-02 25.7 310.6 310.97 283.12 0.02084 101.26

B-03 25.7 322.2 310.97 283.12 0.02094 99.97

B-03 25.7 322.2 310.97 283.12 0.02103 101.26

B-05 25.6 309.9 310.92 283.11 0.02080 99.96

B-05 25.6 309.9 310.96 283.12 0.02090 101.34

B-06 25.7 306.1 310.96 283.14 0.02067 100.57

B-06 25.7 306.1 310.95 283.15 0.02073 101.25

B-06 25.7 306.1 310.97 283.15 0.02044 97.82

B-06 25.7 306.1 310.97 283.15 0.02041 97.51

B-08 25.5 325.4 310.97 283.13 0.02097 101.25

B-08 25.5 325.4 310.97 283.12 0.02090 100.45

B-09 25.6 309.4 310.97 283.12 0.02048 98.12

B-09 25.6 309.4 310.96 283.11 0.02061 99.87

B-09 25.6 309.4 310.96 283.11 _ 0.02070 101.26

B-09 * 25.6 309.4 310.96 283.11 0.02070 98.98

B-09 25.6 309.4 310.96 283.11 0.02068 98.71

B-09 25.6 309.4 310.95 283.12 0.02084 101.16

B- 11 25.7 313.6 310.96 283.11 0.02073 100.59

B-ll 25.7 313.6 310.96 283.11 0.02078 101.24

B-ll 25.7 313.6 310.96 283.11 0.02065 99.52

B-13 25.7 312.8 310.95 283.11 0.02077 100.99

B- 13 25.7 312.8 310.95 283.10 0.02080 101.32

B-13 25.7 312.8 310.95 283.10 0.02082 101.59

B-13 25.7 312.8 310.95 283.11 0.02081 101.45

B-13 25.7 312.8 310.95 283.11 0.02079 101.13

B- 14 25.5 323.2 310.96 283.11 0.02107 100.51

B- 14 25.5 323.2 310.95 283.13 0.02113 101.25

B-14 25.5 323.2 310.96 283.12 0.02098 99.33

Specimen remeasured

19
TABLE 7-

Pressure regression coefficients for room L conditioned

and oven-dried specimens.

Sample

Number

Ao (W/m-K)

Ai (W/m*K«kPa)

Room- conditioned

B- 11 0.01341 7. 852x10” 5 B- 15 0.01380 7 . 697x10” 5 B- 15

* 0.01350 7. 932x10” 5 B- 15

* 0.01408 7. 320x10” 5

Oven-dried

B-01 0.01340 7. 566x10” 5 B-06 0.01226 8 . 362x10" 5 B-09 0.01356 7 . 055x10” 5 B-09 * 0.01407 6 . 701x10" 5 B-ll 0.01319 7 . 492x10” 5 B- 13 0.01347 7 . 233x10’ 5 B- 14 0.01330 7 . 727x10” 5

Average 7. 540x10” 5 Standard Deviation ±0.455x10” 5

Specimen remeasured

20
Figure 1. Diagram illustrating the National Bureau of Standards

1 -metre Guarded Hot Plate.

21
Barometric Pressure

±2.0 kPa

(40% rh)

for the NBS 1-m Guarded Hot Plate

Pressure System Control System

A1,A2 - Hand valves

B - Pressure gauge

C - 3-way motorized

valve

D - Pressure tap

E - Micro-computer

F - Data acquisition/

control unit

G - Digital pressure

transducer (absolute)

Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the air supply and evacuation

control system for the NBS 1 -metre Guarded Hot

Plate

.

22
APPARENT

THERMAL

CONDUCTIVITY

(W/m-K)

BULK DENSITY (kg/m 8 )

Figure 3. Thermal conductivity at Tm = 297 K and P = 101.3 kPa

as a function of specimen bulk density for fumed-silica

insulation. Curve "A" is the best fit for specimens

conditioned at 21 °C, 30% rh (average specimen moisture

content 1.6%). Curve n B" is for specimens ovendried at 100°C.

23
DEVIATION

{%)

FOR

CURVE

1.5

oo 1.0-

0.5

0.0

- 0.5 -

- 1.0 -

- 1.5

+ 3 c

-3(7

300 305 310 315 320 325

BULK DENSITY (kg/m 3

)

330

Figure 4. Calculated residuals (in percent) for the best-fit curve

for the oven-dried specimens (Curve "B"). All residuals

are within 99% confidence limits (±3o).

24
APPARENT

THERMAL

CONDUCTIVITY

(ff/m-K)

Figure 5. Thermal conductivity at P = 101.3 kPa as a function of

mean specimen temperature for fumed- silica insulation.

25
APPARENT

THERMAL

CONDUCTIVITY

(W/mFigure 6. Thermal conductivity at T0 = 297 K as a function of

chamber air pressure for fumed-silica insulation.

26
• 1 1 4 A iHtv. c-ov, U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET (See instructions)

1. PUBLICATION OR

REPORT NO.

NISTIR 88-3847

2. Performing Organ. Report No. 3. Publication uate

October 1988

« title and subtitle

som- Temperature Thermal Conductivity of Fumed-Silica Insulation for A Standard

gference Material

c^ert^? Zarr, Thomas A. Somers, Donn F. Ebberts

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint or other than N BS. see instructions)

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899

7. Contract/Grant No.

80 Type of Report & Period Covered

f.S. Department of Energy

iffice of Building Energy Research and Development

Fashington, D.C. 20585

I. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

ri Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FlPS Software Summary, is attached.

1. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here)

! Thermal conductivity of fumed-silica insulation board was measured using the National

Bureau of Standards 1-metre Guarded Hot Plate. Measurements were conducted for the

following range of parameters: bulk density, 304.5 to 325.4 kg/m3

; mean temperature,

283 1 to 311.0 K; and barometric pressure, 97.51 to 103.40 kPa. The effect o

. moisture content on room- temperature measurements was minimized by prior conditioning

of the specimen at 100°C for 24 hours. Seventy-five samples (600 by 600 by 25.4 mm)

were transferred to the Office of Standard Reference Materials in Gaithersburg,

Maryland, USA. The material is offered as a Standard Reference Material having a low

thermal conductivity at room- temperature

.

12. KEY WORDS (Six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key nords by semicolons)

apparent thermal conductivity; fumed-silica insulation; guarded-hot-plate apparatus;

Standard Reference Material

13. AVAILABILITY

[X~] Uni i mi ted

|—

;

For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

rn Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

' 20402.

"XT Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Springfield, VA. 22161

14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

30

USCOMM-DC 6043-P80
.