Designation: C 367 – 99

Standard Test Methods for

Strength Properties of Prefabricated Architectural
Acoustical Tile or Lay-In Ceiling Panels1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 367; 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.

INTRODUCTION

Materials used for absorbing sound generally have a porous, low-density structure. In comparison
with many building materials they may be relatively fragile. Materials are available that possess
adequate strength and stability and at the same time provide good sound absorption. The test methods
described here cover procedures for evaluating those physical properties related to strength. The
methods are of use in developing, manufacturing, and selecting acoustical tile or lay-in panels.
It should be kept in mind that a property related to strength is only one of several considerations
important in judging the usefulness of an acoustical material. For example, a material judged to be
quite weak by one of these tests may still be desired for other reasons, and with adequate precautions,
may be shipped and installed successfully.

1. Scope HARDNESS
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the 2. Significance and Use
strength properties of prefabricated architectual acoustical tile
or lay-in ceiling panels as follows: 2.1 Knowledge of hardness is useful in the development and
Tests Sections
the quality control of acoustical tile. Deviation from an
Hardness 2 to 7 established hardness range will assist in pointing out proc-
Friability 8 to 13 essing errors or defective raw materials, thereby aiding the
Sag 14 to 20
Transverse strength 21 to 26
maintenance of uniform product quality.
2.2 This property is also useful in comparing the relative
1.2 Not all of the tests described in these test methods may abilities of materials to resist indentations on the panel surface
be necessary to evaluate any particular product for a specific caused by impacts.
use. In each instance, it will be necessary to determine which 2.3 Since the hardness varies with the thickness, only
properties are required. samples of the same thickness may be directly compared.
1.3 These test methods specify procedures that may be used
in product development, manufacturing control, specification 3. Apparatus
acceptance, and service evaluation. 3.1 Testing Machine—Any standard mechanical or hydrau-
1.4 Properties determined by these test methods reflect the lic testing machine capable of applying and measuring the
performance of the materials under the specific conditions of required load within an accuracy of 61 % may be used. It shall
the test, and do not necessarily indicate performance under be equipped with a 50.8-mm (2.00-in.) diameter metal ball, or
conditions other than those specified herein. hemispherically shaped penetrator that bears upon the speci-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the men surface.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4. Test Specimens
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.1 Cut five 100 by 100-mm (4 by 4-in.) specimens from a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. single tile or panel. Cut the five specimens from representative
areas of the tile or ceiling panel.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-33 on
Environmental Acoustics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.04
on Application of Acoustical Materials and Systems.
Current edition approved September 10, 1999. Published November 1999.
Originally published as C 367 – 55 T. Last previous edition C 367 – 95.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 367
5. Conditioning 9.4 Timer, consisting of a watch or clock capable of
5.1 The strength properties of acoustical materials often measuring intervals of 10 min within 6 5.0 s.
depend on the moisture content at the time of the test.
Therefore, condition materials for test under “room conditions” 10. Test Specimens
to constant weight (within 61 %) in an atmosphere maintained 10.1 Cut twelve 25 by 25-mm (1 by 1-in.) square specimens
at a relative humidity of 50 6 2 %, and a temperature of 23 6 from a single tile or panel. The specimen thickness is equal to
1°C (73 6 2°F). State in the test report any departure from this the tile or panel thickness.
recommended condition. NOTE 3—If the friability of original edges is of importance, separate
tests should be run on 25 by 25-mm (1 by 1-in.) specimens having one or
6. Procedure two original edges.
6.1 Place the specimen in the conditioning chamber and let
it remain until equilibrium is obtained. 11. Conditioning
6.2 Place the specimen on a flat surface under the loading 11.1 Maintain standard conditions as described in 5.1 during
penetrator of the test machine. Force the penetrator into the preparation and testing of specimens.
specimen 6.46 0.3 mm (0.25 6 0.01 in.) below the original
surface (Note 1) at a rate of 2.5 mm (0.10 in.)/min (Note 2). 12. Procedure
NOTE 1—The original surface is defined as the point where the
12.1 Weigh the twelve specimens and record the combined
penetrator first contacts the specimen. weight to the nearest 0.1 g.
NOTE 2—When possible, the penetrator should bear between perfora- 12.2 Place the 12 specimens and the 24 oak cubes in the
tions or fissures when testing perforated or fissured material. testing container. Close the top of the testing container and
6.3 Record the load shown on the testing machine when the rotate the container about its axis at a speed of 60 rpm for two
penetrator reaches the specified depression as the hardness of 10-min periods. At the end of each 10-min period, remove the
the specimen in newtons or pounds-force. specimens from the box and determine the percentage of loss
in weight, due to pulverization and breakage. In the case of
7. Report badly abraded specimens, remove up to twelve of the largest
7.1 The report shall include the following: pieces remaining and weigh these for the determination. In rare
7.1.1 Identification of the test material, cases, no pieces may remain from an individual specimen. In
7.1.2 Method of conditioning including time of condition- this case, the weight loss shall be reported as 100 %.
ing, temperature, °C or °F, and relative humidity, %,
13. Report
7.1.3 Statement describing whether the finished or unfin-
ished surface was tested, 13.1 The report shall include the following:
7.1.4 Average thickness for the five specimens, mm or in., 13.1.1 Identification of the test material,
7.1.5 Individual thicknesses for each of the five specimens, 13.1.2 Method of conditioning including time of condition-
mm or in., ing, temperature, °C or °F, and relative humidity, %, and
7.1.6 Average hardness for the five specimens, N or lbf, and 13.1.3 Percentage loss in weight for the 10- and 20-min
7.1.7 Individual hardness for each of the five specimens, N periods.
or lbf.
SAG
FRIABILITY
14. Significance and Use
8. Significance and Use 14.1 This test method is for the purpose of determining the
8.1 The friability test measures the susceptibility of an sag properties of ceiling tile or panels under various conditions
acoustical product to edge and corner damage that might be of humidity exposure. Tiles or panels of various sizes can be
sustained during shipping, handling, and installing. Products tested by using appropriately sized supporting frames.
that are friable and soft may erode considerably when sub- 14.2 The test method will provide both the initial sag below
jected to rough treatment. the plane of the grid system and the total moisture-induced sag.
14.3 This test method is not designed to establish the
9. Apparatus expected performance of the ceiling panels under field condi-
9.1 Balance, accurate to within 0.5 % of the weight of the tions of use, but only the sag properties for the specific
smallest specimen tested. temperature, humidity, exposure time, and mounting condi-
9.2 Testing Container, consisting of a red oak box with tions used in the test.
inside dimensions of 200 mm (73⁄4 in.) square by 190 mm (71⁄2
in.) deep and fitted with a cover on one end for inserting and 15. Apparatus
removing the specimens. The box shall be mounted so that it 15.1 Controlled-Atmosphere Chamber, capable of operating
may be rotated at 60 r/min on a horizontal axis that is at a dry-bulb temperature of 23 to 326 1.5°C (73 to 90 6 3°F),
perpendicular to its square dimension. and relative humidities of 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 6 2 %. The
9.3 Red Oak Cubes, 24, 19 6 0.8 mm (3⁄4 6 1⁄32 in.) on an chamber should be equipped with suitable recording equipment
edge, having a specific gravity of 0.65 6 0.02. to record wet- and dry-bulb temperatures (or dry bulb and

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 C 367
relative humidity). This equipment shall be checked periodi- This consists of placing a zero-plane plate in the test specimen frame
cally and calibrated with a psychrometer that shall also be used parallel with the shortest member of the frame, and centered in the longest
to establish the test conditions. member of the frame. The sag bar is then placed beneath the frame and the
dial gage is adjusted to read zero at the plane of the specimen surface.
15.2 Sample Test Frames and Racks, fabricated from non-
ferrous metal, such as aluminum, and of suitable linear 15.4 Sag Bar, equipped with a dial indicator having a
dimensions as shown in Fig. 1. Frames shall be constructed of minimum movement of 25 mm (1 in.) calibrated in increments
6 by 38 by 38-mm (1⁄4by 11⁄2-in.) angle with miter-cut corners. of 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) or less. The dial indicator shall be
Inside surfaces of corners shall be welded and ground smooth. equipped with a 13-mm (0.50-in.) diameter pressure foot. The
Frames shall be fabricated so they are level and square. Overall bar shall be equipped with individually adjustable feet having
inside dimensions of the frames shall be such that the panels do 20-mm (3⁄4-in.) diameter bearing surfaces. The distance be-
not touch the vertical edges of the frame if they expand under tween centers of the bearing surfaces shall be equal to the
prolonged exposure to conditions of high humidity. nominal width of the test panel. Fig. 2 shows a suitable sag bar
15.2.1 Racks may be constructed of a convenient design to design including spacing between bearing surfaces.
hold one or more test frames in a horizontal plane; however, a 16. Test Specimens
sufficient distance shall be maintained between frames to
permit adequate circulation of the test atmosphere and permit 16.1 Test specimens shall be full-size tile or panels as
test measurements without moving panels. shipped for installation in the field.
15.3 Zero-Plane Plate—In the event that measurements are 17. Conditioning
made using the zero-plane plate, means of zeroing the dial
17.1 Condition specimens as described in 5.1 prior to
indicator (Note 4), a zero-plane plate fabricated of 6-mm
placing in the controlled atmosphere chamber for sag testing.
(1⁄4-in.) thick by 80-mm (3-in.) wide steel or aluminum stock,
shall be provided. The length of the plate shall be 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) 18. Procedure
less than the inside width of the test frame. 18.1 Adjust the environmental chamber controls to provide
NOTE 4—In the case of panels with a width of 610 mm (24 in.) or less, one of the temperature and humidity conditions selected from
an alternative means of zeroing the sag bar dial indicator may be used. those listed in 15.1.

FIG. 1 Sag Test Frame

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 C 367

Panel Minimum Linear Dimension,

Dimension A, mm (in.)
mm (in.)
305 (12) 150 (6)
610 (24) 305 (12)
1220 (48) 610 (24)
1525 (60) 760 (30)
FIG. 2 Sag Bar

18.2 Place the sag bar on a flat surface, such as a rigid blocks between the sag bar feet and the bottom of the test frame to obtain
aluminum bar of a length appropriate to the size of the sag bar a sag reading. Add the gage block thickness to the indicated reading.
(Note 4). 19. Calculation
18.3 Adjust the dial gage indicator to read the thickness of
the test frame angle. This will provide an indication of 0 mm 19.1 Calculate the initial sag below plane and the total
(0 in.) when the indicator foot is in the plane of the test panel moisture-induced sag as follows:
supporting surface. Initial sag below plane = Y
18.4 Mark the geometric center of the tile or panel on the Total moisture-induced sag + initial sag = Z
finished surface at the intersection of diagonals drawn from Recovery = X
corner to corner. where:
18.5 Install the tile or panel in the test rack within the Y = initial reading,
environmental chamber with the finished surface facing down. Z = total sag with moisture, and
18.6 Record the dial gage reading as the “initial reading.” X = total sag after recovery.
18.7 Place the sag bar under the test panel with the sag bar
feet pressed firmly into contact with the horizontal members of then:
the frame and with the bar parallel with the shortest (if not Y = Initial sag below plane, mm or in.,
symmetrical) members of the frame. The feet should be Z − Y = Total mositure induced sag, mm or in., and
positioned at the center of the span of the longest frame X − Y = Recovery, mm or in.
member and the dial gage foot should be located at the panel 20. Report
center as marked in 18.4.
20.1 The report shall include the following:
18.8 Adjust the environmental chamber to provide the
20.1.1 Identification of the test material,
desired temperature and relative humidity. These conditions
20.1.2 Specimen length, width, and thickness in mm or in.
should be obtained over a time period not exceeding 15 min.
and weight in kg or lb after conditioning at 23°C (73°F) and
Hold at these conditions for 17 h (which includes the adjust-
50 % relative humidity,
ment time). Record the dial gage reading as the“ wet reading.”
20.1.3 A statement to the effect that the specimens were
18.9 Return the sample to the conditions used to obtain the
preconditioned to constant weight at 23°C (73°F) and 50 %
“initial reading” in 18.6. Again this change should occur over
relative humidity,
a time period not exceeding 15 min. Maintain the sample at
20.1.4 Temperature, °C or °F, and relative humidity, %,
these conditions for 7 h (again this time period includes the
20.1.5 Test duration, h,
adjustment time). Record the dial gage reading as the “final
20.1.6 Initial sag below plane, mm or in.,
reading.”
20.1.7 Total moisture induced sag, mm or in., and
NOTE 5—If the sag exceeds the capacity of the dial gage, insert gage 20.1.8 Recovery, mm or in.

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 C 367
TRANSVERSE STRENGTH 33P3L
(1)
2 3 b 3 d2
21. Significance and Use
21.1 Transverse strength and modulus of rupture tests are of where:
practical usefulness in the development and in the quality P = maximum load, N (lbf),
control of acoustical tile. Performance characteristics in the L = length of span, mm(in.),
handling, shipping, and installing of acoustical tile may often b = specimen width, mm (in.), and
be predicted by strength testing. The numerical results obtained d = specimen thickness, mm (in.).
are not necessarily comparable for tiles or panels of different
thicknesses made from the same base material or for tiles or 27. Report
panels of the same thickness made from different materials. 27.1 The report shall include the following:
27.1.1 Identification of the test material,
22. Apparatus
27.1.2 Method of conditioning including the time of condi-
22.1 Testing Machine—Any standard mechanical or hy- tioning, temperature, °C or °F, and relative humidity, %,
draulic testing machine capable of applying the load at a speed 27.1.3 Statement describing whether the specimens were
of 50 6 6 mm (2 6 1⁄4 in.)/min and measuring the load within tested with the finished face up or down,
62 %. The loading beam shall have a bearing surface at least 27.1.4 Statement that the 80-mm (3-in.) wide by 300-mm
25 mm (1 in.) high by at least 80 mm (3 in.) wide rounded to (12-in.) long specimens were tested over a span of 250 mm (10
a radius of 10 mm (3⁄8 in.). The supporting surfaces shall be at in.) with the load applied at midspan,
least 100 mm (4 in.) high by 80 mm (3 in.) wide with a radius 27.1.5 Average thickness for the five cross machine speci-
of 10 mm (3⁄8 in.) and shall be set for a span of 250 mm (10 in.). mens, mm or in.,
All bearing surfaces shall be self-aligning so as to maintain full 27.1.6 Average thickness for the five machine direction
contact with the specimen. Means for measuring the deflection specimens, mm or in.,
at the breaking load shall be provided. 27.1.7 Average breaking strength for the five cross machine
23. Test Specimens specimens, N or lbf, and
27.1.8 Average breaking strength for the five machine
23.1 Test specimens shall be 80 mm (3 in.) wide by 300 mm
direction specimens, N or lbf,
(12 in.) long. Two specimens each, in the machine direction
27.1.9 Average MOR for the five cross machine specimens,
and across the machine direction, shall be prepared for each
N/mm2 (lb/in.2), and
test.
27.1.10 Average MOR for the five machine direction speci-
24. Conditioning mens, N/mm2 (lb/in.2).
24.1 Condition cut specimens as described in 5.1 prior to
testing. PRECISION AND BIAS
25. Procedure 28. Precision and Bias
25.1 Place the specimen in the testing machine so that the 28.1 Precision—The precision of these test methods has not
back of the specimen rests on the supporting span, and the load been established.
is applied at the midspan on the face of the specimen. Apply 28.2 Bias—No statement can be made on the bias of these
the load at a rate of 506 6 mm (2 6 1⁄4 in.)/min until a failure test methods since the true values of the properties have not
occurs. Read and record the load and deflection at break. been established by standard reference materials.
26. Modulus of Rupture (MOR)
26.1 The MOR in N/m2 (lb/in.2) of each specimen is 29. Keywords
calculated from the following equation, using the data from the 29.1 friability; hardness; sag; strength properties; transverse
transverse strength measurements: strength

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