Designation: C 764 – 07

Standard Specification for

Mineral Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 764; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope C 1104/C 1104M Test Method for Determining the Water

1.1 This specification covers the composition and physical Vapor Sorption of Unfaced Mineral Fiber Insulation
properties of nodulated mineral fiber thermal insulation for use C 1304 Test Method for Assessing the Odor Emission of
in attics or enclosed spaces in housing and other framed Thermal Insulation Materials
buildings. C 1338 Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded Insulation Materials and Facings
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical C 1363 Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot
and are not considered standard. Box Apparatus
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the C 1374 Test Method for Determination of Installed Thick-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the ness of Pneumatically Applied Loose-Fill Building Insula-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- tion
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- C 1574 Guide for Determining Blown Density of Pneumati-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. cally Applied Loose-Fill Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulation
E 136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical
2. Referenced Documents Tube Furnace at 750°C
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 E 970 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed
B 152/B 152M Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate, Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
and Rolled Bar G 1 Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Cor-
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation rosion Test Specimens
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measure-
3. Terminology
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this speci-
C 390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Thermal fication, refer to Terminology C 168.
Insulation Lots 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission 3.2.1 settled density—The mass per unit volume of a
Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus loose-fill insulation after which time or forces, or both, have
C 687 Practice for Determination of Thermal Resistance of exerted their effect upon thickness.
Loose-Fill Building Insulation 3.2.1.1 Discussion—The settled density is determined using
C 870 Practice for Conditioning of Thermal Insulating Ma- long term aging studies in attics.
terials
4. Classification
4.1 The nodulated mineral fiber thermal insulation shall be
1
of the following types and classes:
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on 4.1.1 Type I—Pneumatic application.
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.23 on
Blanket and Loose Fill Insulation. 4.1.2 Type II—Poured application.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2007. Published November 2007. Originally
approved 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C 764 – 06a. 5. Ordering Information
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 Both types of nodulated mineral fiber thermal insulation
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on are intended for use as thermal insulation in open spaces, such
the ASTM website. as attics and enclosed spaces, such as walls, in housing and

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 C 764 – 07
buildings at ambient temperatures. Type I is used for pneumatic temperature at the beginning of the test, and there shall be no
application (blown or conveyed by an air stream through a hose flaming of the specimen.
and discharged over the area to be insulated). Type II is used 7.4 Water Vapor Sorption—The water vapor sorption of the
for application by pouring in place. insulation shall not be more than 5 % by weight when tested in
accordance with 12.5.
6. Materials and Manufacture 7.5 Odor Emission—A detectable odor of a strong objec-
6.1 Basic Material—The basic material shall be fibers made tionable nature recorded by more than two of the five panel
from mineral substances such as rock, slag, or glass processed members shall constitute rejection of the material when tested
from the molten state into an incombustible fibrous form. in accordance with 12.6.
6.2 Manufacture—The fibers shall be mechanically pro- 7.6 Corrosiveness—When tested in accordance with 12.7,
cessed into nodules, and are permitted to be treated to provide the metal plates that are in contact with the insulation shall
improved processing and handling characteristics suitable for show no corrosion greater than the comparative plates that are
installation by pouring or pneumatic applications. in contact with sterile cotton that has been tested in the same
manner.
7. Physical Properties 7.7 Fungi Resistance—When tested in accordance with
7.1 Thermal Characteristics—The standard thermal resis- 12.8, the insulation shall have growth no greater than that
tance values normally recommended for open application are observed on the white birch tongue depressor comparative
expressed in °F·h·ft2/Btu (K·m 2/W). Typical values are shown material.
in Table 1. R values others than those listed in Table 1 shall be
as agreed upon between the supplier and the purchaser. The 8. Other Requirements
thermal resistance R for the average of any (four) randomly 8.1 Qualification Requirements—The following require-
selected samples shall not be more than 5 % below the ments are generally emphasized for purposes of initial material
mutually agreed upon R value when tested in accordance with product requirements:
12.2, nor shall any single specimen be more than 10 % below 8.1.1 Thermal resistance,
the mutually agreed upon R value. 8.1.2 Critical radiant flux,
7.2 Critical Radiant Flux—Mineral fiber loose fill when 8.1.3 Combustion characteristics,
tested in accordance with 12.3 shall have a critical radiant 8.1.4 Water vapor sorption,
flux-flame propagation resistance $0.12 W/cm 2 (.11 Btu/ft2· 8.1.5 Odor emission,
s). 8.1.6 Corrosiveness, and
7.3 Combustion Characteristics—Mineral fiber loose fill 8.1.7 Fungi Resistance.
when tested in accordance with 12.4 shall not have a recorded 8.2 Inspection Requirements—The following requirements
temperature rise of more than 54°F (30°C); shall have no are generally emphasized for purposes of acceptance sampling
flaming after the first 30 s; and, if the specimen weight loss of lots of qualified thermal insulation:
exceeds 50 % during the test, the recorded temperature of the 8.2.1 Minimum bag weight, and
specimen during the test shall not rise above the furnace air 8.2.2 Workmanship.

TABLE 1 Coverage Chart

NOTE 1—Chart is occasionally given in metric units.
R Value at 75°F Mean
Maximum Net Coverage Minimum Thickness Minimum Weight per ft2
Temperature
To obtain an insulation Minimum bags per 1000 ft2 Maximum ft2 coverage Installed insulation Settled thickness The weight per ft2
resistance (R) of: of net area (bags/MSF) per bag (ft2) to be not less than: not to be less than: of installed insulation to
h·ft2·°F (in.) (in.) be not less than:
Btu (lbs/ft2)
Attic:
11
13
15
19
22
26
30
33
38
44
49
60
SidewallsA: R−
A
Optional information for products intended for sidewall application.

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 C 764 – 07
9. Workmanship 12.7.2.3 Vertically suspend the samples in a humidity test
9.1 Mineral fiber nodulated insulation shall be free of chamber at 95 6 3 % relative humidity and temperature of 120
foreign materials and shall be clean and dry. The insulation 6 3°F (49 6 2°C) for time periods determined by the type of
shall not have visible defects that will adversely affect the metal being tested. Steel is tested for 96 6 2 h. Copper and
service quality. aluminum are tested for 720 6 5 h.
12.7.2.4 After the appropriate test period, compare the test
10. Significance and Use plates exposed to the insulation to the control plates exposed to
10.1 This specification covers products that are used in sterile cotton for severity of corrosion. The insulation is
buildings. While products that comply with this specification considered to have passed this test if the corrosion attributed to
are used in various constructions, they are adaptable primarily, the insulation is not significantly worse than that of the washed
but not exclusively, to wood frame constructions. sterile cotton controls. The criterion for acceptance is prede-
termined through the use of non-parametric statistics and a
11. Sampling and Conditioning 90 % confidence level (a = 0.10).
11.1 Sampling of the insulation shall be in accordance with 12.7.3 Significance and Use:
Practice C 390. Specific provisions for sampling shall be 12.7.3.1 The fiber composition and the type of binder used
agreed upon between the purchaser and supplier. in the manufacture of mineral fiber insulation sometimes create
11.2 Condition the test samples in accordance with Practice a potential for corrosion on certain metals in the presence of
C 870. liquid water or water vapor.
12.7.3.2 This test method is used to determine the relative
12. Test Methods corrosion potential of mineral fiber insulation on specific
12.1 Blown Density—Determine the blown density in ac- metals under high humidity conditions.
cordance with Guide C 1574. 12.7.4 Materials:
12.2 Thermal Resistance—Using samples prepared in ac- 12.7.4.1 Metal Test Plates, with dimensions of 1 by 4 6 1⁄4
cordance with 12.1 and adjusted to the settled density, the in. (25 by 100 mm). Steel plates shall be 0.02 6 0.005 in. (0.5
thermal conductivity or thermal conductance shall be deter- mm) thick, bright No. 2 finish, cold-rolled low-carbon strip
mined in accordance with Test Method C 518, Test Method steel, quarter hard, temper No. 3. The aluminum plates shall be
C 177, or derived from measurements made by Test Method 0.025 6 0.005 in. (0.6 mm) thick, type 3003-0. Copper plates
C 1363. The mean temperature shall be 75°F (23.9°C) and the shall be 0.032 6 0.005 in. (0.8 mm) thick, in accordance with
temperature difference shall be a minimum of 40°F (22°C). Specification B 152/B 152M type ETP, No. 110 soft copper.
The thermal resistance shall then be calculated from the 12.7.4.2 Woven Wire Screen, 11⁄2 6 1⁄4 by 41⁄2 6 1⁄4 in. (114
thermal conductance values using Practice C 687. See Note 1. by 38 mm), made of Type 304 stainless steel, 0.063 6 0.005 in.
NOTE 1—The thermal resistance is a function of mean temperature. As
(1.60 mm) wire, 7⁄16 6 1⁄16 in. (11 mm) open-square grid.
an option, determine the thermal resistance at additional mean tempera- 12.7.4.3 Rubber Bands, No. 12.
tures as agreed upon by the purchaser and the manufacturer. 12.7.4.4 Humidity Test Chamber clean, well maintained,
12.3 Critical Radiant Flux—The critical radiant flux of the and capable of controlling temperature at 120 6 3°F (49 6
insulation shall be determined in accordance with Test Method 2°C) and humidity at 95 6 3 % relative humidity.
E 970. 12.7.4.5 Cheesecloth or Cotton Gauze, cut into 6 by 10-in.
12.4 Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at (152 by 254-mm) pieces.
1382°F (750°C)—The behavior of mineral fiber loose-fill 12.7.4.6 Sample Preparation Fixture, having a rectangular
insulation in a vertical tube furnace at 1382°F (750°C) shall be compartment or well with interior dimensions of 41⁄2 by 11⁄2 by
determined in accordance with Test Method E 136. 11⁄2 in. (114 by 38 by 38 mm) with one 41⁄2 by 11⁄2 in. (114 by
12.5 Water Vapor Sorption—The water vapor sorption of 38 mm) opening.
the test specimen shall be determined in accordance with Test 12.7.5 Test Specimen—A test specimen shall consist of a
Method C 1104/C 1104M. layer of loose-fill insulation held in place on each side of the
12.6 Odor Emission—Determine the odor emission in ac- metal test plate by a cheesecloth wrap. The loose-fill insulation
cordance with Test Method C 1304. is compressed uniformly against each side of the metal test
12.7 Corrosiveness: plate using woven wire screening and a No. 12 rubber band at
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12.7.1 Scope—This test method provides a qualitative mea- each end so that there is approximately a 41⁄2 by 11⁄2 by 1⁄2-in.
sure of the corrosiveness of mineral fiber insulation by com- (114- by 38- by 13-mm) thick layer of insulation on each side
parison to a control. of the metal test plate.
12.7.2 Summary of Test Method: 12.7.6 Test Method:
12.7.2.1 Individually sandwich five each of specially 12.7.6.1 Clean the metal test plates until the surface is free
cleaned steel, copper, and aluminum test plates between pieces of water breaks. Clean the steel test plates first by 5 min of
of insulation. Hold the insulation uniformly against each side vapor degreasing (using 1-1-1 trichlorethane or chloroprene).
of the test plate with wire screens and rubber bands. After degreasing, wipe residue from both sides of the coupons
12.7.2.2 Sandwich an equal number of cleaned metal test using paper laboratory wipes. Then immerse for 15 min in a hot
plates between pieces of washed sterile cotton in an identical caustic solution (15 % KOH by volume), rinse thoroughly in
manner. distilled water, and immediately dry using paper laboratory

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 C 764 – 07
wipes. Degrease the copper plates in the same manner and then (1) Steel—The presence and relative severity of red rust
further clean in a hot acidic solution (10 % nitric acid by and pitting. Surface blush shall not be weighed strongly.
volume) for 15 min. Rinse the copper plates and dry immedi- (2) Aluminum—The presence and relative severity of
ately using paper laboratory wipes. Clean the aluminum plates pitting, scaling, or other evidence of attack. The generation of
with a 5 % solution all-purpose laboratory detergent and water, oxide is a protective mechanism of aluminum and shall be
then rinse in distilled water and dry with laboratory wipes. disregarded. Remove the oxide by scrubbing with a non-
Care shall be taken to avoid excessive handling of the surfaces abrasive rubber implement under running water or immersion
of the metal plates. They shall not be touched after the final in a 70 % solution of nitric acid.
cleaning step. Plastic surgical gloves or their equivalent are
(3) Copper—Presence and relative severity of scaling,
recommended for handling of plates. Also clean the wire
pitting, deposits, or encrustation, severe discolorations, or
screens before use in the same manner as the aluminum plates
general uniform attack. Surface blush and slight discolorations
(that is, wash in detergent, rinse in distilled water, and dry).
shall be ignored and removed by scrubbing with a non-abrasive
12.7.6.2 Build up the five test specimens as follows: place
rubber implement under running water or immersing into a
one woven wire screen in the compartment bottom, center and
10 % solution of sulfuric acid.
drop the cheesecloth over the compartment. Place a quantity of
loose-fill insulation into the compartment and tamp the insu- NOTE 2—Additional guidance for evaluating the plates can be found in
lation to form a uniform pack 41⁄2 by 11⁄2 by 1⁄2 in. (114 by 38 Practice G 1.
by 13 mm) thick. Place a metal test plate over the insulation,
12.7.7 Interpretation of Results:
adding more insulation over the metal test plate and tamp to
achieve a uniform top layer 41⁄2 by 11⁄2 by 1⁄2 in. (114 by 38 by 12.7.7.1 Because of the subjectivity inherent in the judging
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13 mm) thick. Fold the cheesecloth around this configuration. of these plates, nonparametric statistical methods are employed
Place a woven wire screen on top of the assembly and secure to identify those materials which are conclusively more corro-
the assembly at each end with a No. 12 rubber band. sive than sterile cotton.
12.7.6.3 Make five test specimens, each one consisting of 12.7.7.2 The ten metal plates (five test, five control), shall
one piece of metal placed between two pieces of insulation. be examined by at least four judges with experience in
Compress this assembly between two pieces of woven wire corrosion evaluation. Each judge shall independently rank all
screen and secured near each end with a No. 12 rubber band. ten plates in order from least severe corrosion to most severe
The compressed thickness of this assembly shall measure 1 6 corrosion. The judges shall receive no indication as to which
1⁄8 in. (25 6 3 mm). plates are control and which are test specimens. The judges’
12.7.6.4 Assemble five control specimens, each consisting rankings shall be based on their own best estimate of the
of one piece of metal placed between two 11⁄2 by 41⁄2 by 1⁄2 in. severity of the corrosion visible on each plate.
(38 by 114 by 13 mm) pieces of sterile cotton. Identify the 12.7.7.3 Upon completion of the judges’ ratings, the arith-
outer surface of the cotton as rolled. After cleaning, the sterile metic sum of all of the rankings for each plate shall be
cotton surface shall be the surface placed against the metal calculated. These sums shall then be ranked from 1 (lowest
coupons in the same manner as the insulation specimen. The total) to 10 (highest total) with any ties being assigned the
sterile cotton shall have previously been solvent extracted in arithmetic mean of the rankings involved (for example, two
reagent grade acetone3 for 48 h, and then vacuum dried at low plates tied for third = (3 + 4)/2 = 3.5; three plates tied for
heat. Compress these specimens and secure in exactly the fourth = (4 + 5 + 6)/3 = 5). The new rankings thus established
manner described in 12.7.6.2. shall then be totaled for the control plates only; if this sum is
12.7.6.5 Suspend the five test specimens and five control less than 21, then the control plates are judged to be signifi-
specimens vertically in an atmosphere free of contaminants, cantly better than the test plates and the insulation tested is
having a relative humidity of 95 6 3 %, and a temperature of considered to have failed the test. Any sum of the rankings for
120 6 3°F (49 6 2°C) for the specified test period (96 6 2 h the five control plates greater than or equal to 21 indicates that
for steel, 720 6 5 h for copper and aluminum). The humidity there is no statistical difference between the control and test
chamber shall remain closed for the entire test period. If the plates and the insulation passes.
chamber must be opened, care shall be taken to ensure that no 12.7.8 Precision and Bias—Assuming that there is no bias
condensation is within the chamber. At the conclusion of the involved in the judges’ rankings, this test method will identify
test period, remove the specimens from the chamber, disas- those materials which are significantly worse than sterile cotton
semble, and mark to distinguish individual plates. with a statistical confidence of a = 0.10. This means that a
12.7.6.6 Closely examine the surfaces of each of the test and material which is judged to be more corrosive to a metal than
control plates for the following characteristics: sterile cotton has at most a 10 % chance of being incorrectly
failed. This test method can make no estimate of the probability
that an insulation which is more corrosive than sterile cotton
3
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American will not be identified as such.
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory 12.8 Fungi Resistance—Determine fungi resistance in ac-
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia cordance with Test Method C 1338.
and National Formulary,Available from U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), 12601 Twin-
brook Pkwy., Rockville, MD 20852. U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), 12.9 Installed Thickness—Determine the installed thickness
Rockville, MD. in accordance with Test Method C 1374.

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 C 764 – 07
13. Inspection 14.2.5 Coverage Chart—The chart values, Table 1, shall be
13.1 Inspection of the insulation shall be made as agreed based on product settled density, except for initial installed
upon by the purchaser and the manufacturer as part of the thickness which is based on C 1374.
purchase contract. 14.2.6 Certification—The certification shall state the fol-
lowing:
14. Packaging and Package Marking 14.2.6.1 This insulation has been installed in conformance
with the above recommendations to provide a value of
14.1 Packaging—Unless otherwise specified, the insulation
R-_______ using _______ bags of this insulation to cover
shall be packaged in the manufacturer’s standard commercial
_______ square feet of area,
containers.
14.2.7 Place for the signature of the builder, company name
14.2 Package Marking—Markings shall be clear and leg-
and date,
ible. Unless otherwise specified, each container shall be
14.2.8 Place for the signature of the applicator, company
marked as follows:
name and date.
14.2.1 Name of manufacturer,
14.2.2 Type of insulation, NOTE 3—A separate attic card containing the same information will
14.2.3 Net weight of insulation per bag, satisify the requirements of 14.2.5, 14.2.6, 14.2.7, and 14.2.8.
14.2.4 The manufacturer recommends that the insulation be 14.2.9 Where material is intended for both blowing or
installed at these minimum thicknesses, maximum coverages,
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pouring application, the bag shall have a separate coverage

to provide the levels of insulation thermal resistance (R-value) chart for each type of application.
shown. The specific blowing machine type and machine
settings used to determine the initial installed thicknesses shall 15. Keywords
be stated on the bag. 15.1 loose-fill; mineral fiber; thermal insulation

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