ASTM C1363 Standard Test for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies Through a Hot Box Apparatus

EUROLAB laboratory provides testing and compliance services within the scope of ASTM C1363 standard. This test method specifies principles and minimum requirements for the design of a hot box apparatus for determining the steady-state thermal performance of groups of buildings when exposed to controlled laboratory conditions.

This test method is used for large homogeneous or non-homogeneous samples. This test method is applied to building structures or composite assemblies of building materials where it is possible to create a representative sample that fits the test apparatus. The dimensions of the sample protrusions or recesses are controlled by the design of the hot box apparatus. Some hot boxes are limited to planar or nearly planar examples.

A properly designed and operated hot box apparatus is directly similar to the test method C177. The operation of a hot box apparatus requires a significant number of temperature, area and power measurements. The equipment that performs these measurements requires calibration to ensure that the data is correct.

During initial setup and periodic verification testing, each measurement system and sensor is calibrated against a traceable standard in the national standards laboratory. If the hot box apparatus is ideally designed, built and operated, no further calibration or adjustment will be necessary.

In an ideal hot box test of a homogeneous material, there is no temperature difference on either the hot or cold sample surfaces to provide a side heat flow. In addition, there will be no temperature difference to divert heat along the boundary of the measuring chamber walls.

However, experience has shown that it is not possible to achieve a perfect shield/measuring chamber balance and minor corrections are needed to accurately characterize all heat flow paths from the measuring chamber. To obtain this final confidence in the test result, it is necessary to compare the overall result of the hot box apparatus by making measurements on samples with known heat transfer values ​​and comparing these results with the expected values.

This standard does not purport to address all, if any, safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory restrictions prior to use.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with ASTM C1363 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.