Designation: C 1313 – 05

Standard Specification for

Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building Construction
Applications1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1313; 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.

1. Scope C 1338 Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of

1.1 This specification covers the general physical property Insulation Materials and Facings
requirements of radiant barrier materials for use in building C 1371 Test Method for Determination of Emittance of
construction. The scope is specifically limited to requirements Materials Near Room Temperature Using Portable Emis-
for radiant barrier sheet materials that consist of at least one someters
surface having a far-infrared emittance of 0.1 or less, such as D 2261 Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the
metallic foils or metallic deposits mounted or unmounted on Tongue (Single Rip) Procedure (Constant-Rate-of-
substrates. Extension Tensile Testing Machine)
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the D 3310 Test Method for Determining Corrosivity of Adhe-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information sive Materials
only. E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the Building Materials
test methods (Section 10) described in this specification. This E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, rials
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user 2.2 Other Standards:
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health TAPPI Test Method T 512 sp-02: Creasing of Flexible
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- Packaging Material Paper Specimens for Testing3
tions prior to use. 3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this speci-
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 fication, refer to Terminology C 168.
C 168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
C 390 Practice for Sampling and Acceptance of Preformed 3.2.1 radiant barrier—a low emittance (0.1 or less) surface
Thermal Insulation Lots used in the construction of a radiant barrier system.
C 1158 Practice for Use and Installation of Radiant Barrier 3.2.2 radiant barrier system (RBS)—a building construction
Systems (RBS) in Building Construction consisting of a radiant barrier bounded by an open air space.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 Prior to purchase, for sampling and acceptance proce-
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on dures, Practice C 390 may be agreed to by purchaser and
Thermal Insulation and is under the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.21 manufacturer.
on Reflective Insulation.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2005. Published December 1, 2005. Originally
4.2 Specify the width and total area to be installed.
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C 1313–00.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI),
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on P.O. Box 105113, Atlanta, GA 30348; 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA
the ASTM website. 30092.

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 C 1313 – 05
4.3 Specify any special markings. test procedure in 10.1. Bleeding at cut edges may be disre-
garded. The total of bleeding or delamination, covering more
5. Materials and Manufacture than 2 % of the sample area, shall be cause for rejection.
5.1 Sheet radiant barrier materials shall consist of low 7.2.6.2 Pliability—Specimens tested in accordance with the
emittance surface(s) that may be in combination with any test procedure in 10.2 shall not show cracking or delamination.
substrates and adhesives required to meet the specified physical This test does not apply to materials that are not flexible and
material properties. not intended to be bent or flexed.
7.2.7 Mold and Mildew— Fungal resistance of sheet radiant
6. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance barriers shall be tested in accordance with Test Method C 1338.
6.1 Sheet radiant barriers shall be manufactured, packaged The samples are then examined visually under 53 magnifica-
and shipped in such a manner that, when received by the tion for the extent of mold growth and for indications of
customer, they are suitable for installation in accordance with deterioration. Evidence of mold growth beyond the inoculation
Practice C 1158. area shall be cause for rejection.

7. Physical Requirements 8. Significance and Use

7.1 The low–emittance materials shall conform to the physi- 8.1 This specification recognizes that the effectiveness of a
cal properties as specified in Table 1 and local building codes. sheet radiant barrier is dependent on proper installation.
7.2 The following physical characteristics of sheet radiant Practice C 1158 addresses use and installation of radiant
barriers are important: barriers.
7.2.1 Surface Emittance—Radiant barriers derive their ef- 8.2 This specification identifies the material properties that
fectiveness from their low-emittance surface. The surface are important for sheet radiant barrier products. When appro-
emittance of sheet radiant barriers shall be determined in priate, values for the properties have been stated.
accordance with Test Method C 1371. 8.3 The user should consult the manufacturer about specific
7.2.2 Water Vapor Transmission—Sheet radiant barriers material properties needed for a particular application.
may or may not be vapor retarders. If the radiant barrier is to 8.4 Radiant barriers shall be free of dust or other contami-
serve as a vapor retarder, the permeance of the material shall nants to remain effective.
not exceed one perm, as determined in accordance with Test 9. Sampling
Methods E 96 (Procedure A—Desiccant Method).
7.2.2.1 If the radiant barrier is to be vapor transmitting then 9.1 Sampling shall be performed in accordance with Prac-
the permeance of the material shall exceed five perms as tice C 390.
determined with Test Methods E 96 (Procedure A—Desiccant 10. Test Methods for Adhesive Performance
Method).
7.2.3 Surface Burning Characteristics—The flame spread 10.1 Bleeding and Delamination:
potential of a sheet radiant barrier product shall be determined 10.1.1 Scope—This test method covers the determination of
for a single test specimen in accordance with Test Method bleeding and delamination of sheet radiant barriers.
E 84. 10.1.2 Significance and Use—It is necessary that sheet
7.2.4 Corrosivity— Sheet radiant barriers shall be tested for radiant barriers not show adhesive bleeding or delamination
corrosion resistance in accordance with Test Method D 3310. since these conditions could result in a loss of structural
Evidence of significant corrosion shall be cause for rejection. A integrity, a change in water vapor permeability, or an increase
corrosion test that results in less than 2 % affected surface is in surface emittance.
satisfactory. 10.1.3 Sampling—A minimum of three specimens of the
7.2.5 Tear Resistance— Sheet radiant barriers shall be radiant barrier material with dimensions of approximately 7.62
tested for tear resistance using Test Method D 2261. The tear by 15.24 cm (3 by 6 in.) will be tested. The test specimens shall
resistance shall be included in the manufacturer’s technical be cut from separate locations on the roll or panel of the radiant
data. barrier material.
7.2.6 Adhesive Performance: 10.1.4 Procedure—Suspend specimens vertically in an oven
7.2.6.1 Bleeding—Adhesives, when used in bonding, shall and heat to a temperature of 82 6 3°C (180 6 5°F) for 5 h.
show no sign of bleeding when tested in accordance with the 10.1.4.1 Determine under 53 magnification if the adhesive
has bled or extruded through the surface or if separation of foil
from the substrate (delamination) has occurred. Estimate the
TABLE 1 Physical Properties of Low Emittance Materials percentage of the area that has delaminated.
Foils or Deposits 10.1.5 Precision and Bias—Precision and bias have not
Purity—at least 99 % aluminum been determined for this qualitative test.
(where applicable) 10.2 Pliability:
Emittance—0.1 or less
Corrosivity—Test Method D 3310 result <2.0 % 10.2.1 Scope—This test method covers the determination of
Bleeding or delamination—<2.0 % cracking or delamination of the radiant barrier due to folding or
Pliability—no cracking or delamination bending. Any radiant barrier product that is not subject to
Mold and mildew—growth or delamination outside inoculation area is cause
for rejection bending during installation shall be exempt from the require-
ments in 10.2.

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 C 1313 – 05
10.2.2 Significance and Use—It is necessary that sheet 12.4 In case of rejection, the manufacturer or supplier shall
radiant barriers not crack or delaminate as a result of normal have the right to reinspect the rejected shipment or resubmit the
installation practice since this could result in loss of structural lot after removal of that portion of the shipment not conform-
integrity, change in water vapor transmission, or increase in ing to the specified requirements.
surface emittance.
10.2.3 Sampling—A minimum of three specimens of the 13. Packaging and Package Marking
radiant barrier materials shall be subjected to two tests. One 13.1 All sheet radiant barrier products shall be packaged in
specimen shall include a factory-produced edge. a manner which will protect the material from physical damage
10.2.4 Procedure—The specimens shall be conditioned at a during storage and transportation.
temperature of 21 6 1°C (706 2°F) and 50 % (65 %) relative 13.2 Package Marking:
humidity for the first test and 0 6 1°C (32 6 2°F) and 50 % 13.2.1 All packages shall be either imprinted with the
(65 %) relative humidity for the second test for a period of no manufacturer’s name or trademark to identify product origin or
less than 24 h immediately prior to testing. contain a fact sheet containing this information.
10.2.4.1 The radiant barrier specimens that have been con- 13.2.2 All packages shall be marked with a lot number.
ditioned shall be folded in accordance with TAPPI Test Method 13.2.3 All packages shall be marked with the width and
T 512 and the folded edge smoothed using light finger pres- length of the material and the total expected coverage area
sure. The radiant barrier materials shall not crack or delaminate when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recom-
when folded to 180 degrees of bend. mendations.
10.2.5 Precision and Bias—Precision and bias have not
13.3 Radiant Barrier Markings:
been determined for this qualitative test.
13.3.1 The radiant barrier material shall be imprinted with
11. Inspection the manufacturer’s or distributor’s name or trademark.
13.3.2 The radiant barrier material shall be imprinted with
11.1 Inspection of the material shall be agreed upon be-
the measured flame spread rate, as determined in accordance
tween the purchaser and supplier. Practice C 390 may be used
with Test Method E 84, at a minimum of every 2.4 m (8 ft) of
as part of the purchase contract.
its length or once on each panel for lengths less than 2.4 m (8
12. Rejection and Rehearing ft).
12.1 Requirements Determined by Visual Inspection—The 13.3.3 The radiant barrier material shall be imprinted with
product shall be inspected visually for mechanical damage as the measured surface emittance of the operative surface, as
follows: determined using Test Method C 1371, at a minimum of every
12.1.1 Punctures and tears not to exceed one puncture per 2.4 m (8 ft) of its length or once on each panel for lengths less
500 ft2 unless the puncture is intended to be characteristic of than 2.4 m (8 ft).
the finished product. 13.3.4 Radiant barrier material manufactured to allow water
12.1.2 Damage (for example, bleeding adhesive, corrosion) vapor transmission shall be imprinted with the measured water
to surface coatings shall not exceed 2 % of the surface area. vapor transmission rate (in perms), as determined in accor-
12.2 If inspection of a specimen shows failure to conform to dance with Test Methods E 96 (Procedure A—Desiccant
the requirements of this specification, a second specimen from Method), at a minimum of every 2.4 m (8 ft) of its length or
the same lot shall be tested and the results of this retest once on each panel for lengths less than 2.4 m (8 ft).
averaged with the results of the first test. 13.3.5 Markings that affect emittance shall not exceed 0.5 %
12.3 If the average described in 12.2 fails to conform to the of the operative low-emittance surface area of the radiant
requirements of this specification then the material fails. barrier material.
Rejection shall be reported to the manufacturer or supplier
promptly and in writing. In case of dissatisfaction with the 14. Keywords
results of the tests, the manufacturer or supplier has a right to 14.1 aluminum foil; low emittance; radiant barrier; radiant
make a claim for rehearing. barrier system; radiation; reflectance; sheet radiant barrier

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