ASSIMILATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LABORATORY TESTING METHODS FOR THERMAL INSULATING MATERIALS, SPECIFIED IN THE HARMONIZED EUROPEAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DIRECTIVE
89/106/CEE FOR Construction products

Goals

This project aims to adopt and study new testing methods for the Thermal Protection and Energy Saving Laboratory at INCERC Bucharest. The final goal is to perform laboratory tests in accordance with the harmonized European standards and the Directive 89/106/CEE for Construction Products, transposed by Government Decision 622/2004 on establishing the conditions for introducing construction products in the market.

The project aims to implement the following testing methods for determining the thermo-physical characteristics of thermal insulating and construction materials:

·        thermal conductivity for products with high and medium thermal resistance;

·        thermal conductivity for thick products with high and medium thermal resistance;

·        moisture content;

·        linear dimensions of  specimen;

·        freeze-thaw resistance.

Results

The analysis of the testing methods for determining of thermal conductivity of building products has revealed the following conclusion:

·        There are two techniques for testing: the heat flow meter method and the guarded hot plate method;

·        Both methods require the usage of high quality equipment, as specified by the standards (ISO 8301 and ISO 8302);

·        There are two European standards (EN 12667 and EN 12939 - assimilated as national standards by endorsement), which are based on the two ISO standards mentioned above and which describe the factors that can influence the precision of the measurements and the results themselves, especially the width effect;

·        The heat flow meter method requires a reference sample whose thermal conductivity must be determinate with a guarded hot plate apparatus.

Consequently the project will use the more precise guarded hot plate method.

In order to perform laboratory testing according to the harmonized European standards the project has the planning main objectives:

·        To acquire the equipment required the harmonized European standards:

Ø      a thermal conductivity measuring system - guarded hot plate apparatus (ISO 8302)

Ø      a climatic chamber with adjustable temperature and humidity.

·        To devise the  procedures for the testing methods to be assessed:

Ø      Determination of thermal conductivity for products with high and medium thermal resistance - in conformity with the testing method and apparatus specified in SR EN 12667;

Ø      Determination of the thermal conductivity for thick products with high and medium thermal resistance - in conformity with the testing method and apparatus specified in SR EN 12939;

Ø      Determination of  the moisture content by drying at elevated temperature - in conformity with the testing method and apparatus specified in SR EN ISO 12570;

Ø      Determination of the linear dimensions of specimen - in conformity with the testing method and apparatus specified in SR EN ISO 12085;

Ø      Determination of freeze-thaw resistance - in conformity with the testing method and apparatus specified in SR EN ISO 12091.

·        To obtain the agreement for testing methods from RENAR.

Equipment used

			Thermostatic and climatic chamber
		Oven with forced air circulation
			Guarded hot plate thermal conductivity system