4.2 Because of increased activity in building computerized
materials databases and to maintain uniformity and ease of data
comparison and interchange, these formats provide for the
inclusion of specific elements of thermal transmission test data
in databases.
4.3 The key benefit of using this guide is the establishment
of a systematic approach to the management of thermal
transmission test data. Other advantages include: (1) an in-
crease in data accuracy because new test data are vetted in real
time; (2) increased efficiency in data retrieval and storage; and,
(3) improved data consistency. Over time, historical data can
show important trends in the test measurements.
4.4 This guide has no implication on data required for
materials production or purchase. Reporting of actual test
results shall be as described in the actual materials specification
or as agreed upon between the vendor and purchaser.
4.5 The suggested set of units for the recommended stan-
dard format given in this guide is SI. This guide, however, does
not preclude other sets of units, such as inch-pound (IP).
5. Recording of Test Data
5.1 Table 1 is a recommended standard format for the
computerization of thermal transmission data for thermal
insulation materials. The headings for each field are:
5.1.1 Field Number—A reference number assigned to an
individual data field that has no permanent value and does not
become part of the database.
5.1.2 Field Name and Description—The complete name of
the field, descriptive of the data element of information of
interest.
5.1.3 Data Type—Type of data to be included in the field,
such as the type of number, character text, logical values
(yes/no), and date.
5.1.4 Value Sets or Units—A listing of the types of infor-
mation which are included in the field or, in the case of
properties or the numeric fields, the SI units in which the
numbers are expressed.
5.2 The presentation of the recommended standard format
does not require that every element of information be included
in every database. There is, however, a minimum number of
fields considered essential to any database and these fields are
marked with an asterisk (*).
NOTE 1—Many databases are prepared for specific applications and,
therefore, some database builders will omit certain elements considered to
be of no value for that specific application. Conversely, in some individual
cases, additional data elements are needed and the database builder is
encouraged to include these elements along with the elements in the
recommended standard format. It is important to note that not all of the
elements considered essential will be available for every test. Further, not
all of the fields included in the recommended standard format are
appropriate for all tests.
5.3 The recommended standard format is divided into five
sections as illustrated in Fig. 1: material identification; micro-
structure; test method; specimen description; and test results
and analysis.
5.4 Fields that indicate the accuracy of each measurement
are beyond the scope of this guide. However, the entries in all
fields shall be given to the appropriate number of significant
figures.
6. Material Identification
6.1 The fields in this section identify the material tested.
NOTE 2—The numbers given in parentheses after the field name refer to
the field number in Table 1 and accompanying tables. Essential fields are
identified by an asterisk (*).
6.1.1 Material Reference Number (1*) —Unique database
identifier containing material and process information for the
specimens. A typical value set contains information from the
material lot code (see Field 9).
6.1.2 Material Class (2*)—A major material class, for
example ceramic, insulation, metal, polymer, rubber, etc.
6.1.3 Material Name (3*)—A (generic) name for the par-
ticular material. A value set of typical responses is given in
Table 2.
6.1.4 Material Description (4*)—Descriptive name of ma-
terial tested, for example, E-type fibrous glass with phenolic
binder.
6.1.5 Material Specification (5)—Specification and year of
issue for material name in field (3). A value set of typical
responses is given in Table 2.
6.1.6 Material Designation (6)—Trade name, trademark,
brand name, etc., of material.
6.1.7 Material Manufacturer (7)—Manufacturer of material.
6.1.8 Material Source (8)—Source of material, if different
from manufacturer.
6.1.9 Material Lot Code (9)—Manufacturer identification
(date, plant, etc.).
6.1.10 Date of Manufacture (10)—Date of manufacture.
6.1.11 Material Form (11)—Functional form of material. A
value set of typical responses is given in Table 2.
6.1.12 Material Classification (12) —ASTM Classification
for material, see particular material specification (include year
of issue).
7. Microstructure
7.1 The fields in this section pertain to the microstructure of
the material and provide information complementary to the test
results and analysis given in 10. The information requested is
basic to the characterization of the insulation and is not
intended, in this condensed form, for prediction of thermal
performance.
7.1.1 Microstructure Type (13*)—Composition (cellular,
fibrous, particle, etc.).
7.1.2 Cell Size (14)—Diameter of cells, if applicable.
7.1.3 Fiber Size (15)—Diameter of fibers, if applicable.
7.1.4 Particle Size (16)—Diameter of particles, if appli-
cable.
7.1.5 Blowing Agent (17)—Name of blowing agent, if ap-
plicable.
7.1.6 Closed-cell Content (18)—Percentage of closed cells,
if applicable.
7.1.7 Binder Content (19)—Binder content, if applicable.
7.1.8 Shot Content (20)—Shot content, if applicable.
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