NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.

Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information

Designation: C1639 − 16

Standard Specification for

Fabrication Of Cellular Glass Pipe And Tubing Insulation1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1639; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This specification covers fabrication techniques for 3.1 Terminology C168 shall be considered as applying to
cellular glass block into billets to fabricate pipe and tubing the terms in this specification.
insulation. All materials shall be in accordance with Specifi-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
cation C552.
3.2.1 billet / bun—a single piece of insulation made up from
1.2 The purpose of this specification is to optimize the a number of smaller blocks held together with an adhesive.
thermal performance of installed cellular glass insulation
systems. This is best achieved by limiting the number of joints, 3.2.2 lags—pieces of insulation typically curved or tapered
in particular through joints. used for insulating pipes, tanks and other cylindrical equip-
ment.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 3.2.3 precision cut V-grooved pipe insulation, n—rigid in-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only sulation pieces cut into 4-sided polygons, of two parallel
surfaces and two non-parallel surfaces of equal angles = 180°
iTeh Standards
and are not considered standard.
/ N, such that when N number of these sections are assembled,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the they form an approximate circle and can be installed around a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pipe.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—The adjective precision refers to the

Document Preview
fact that when these N sections are installed onto a pipe, they
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. fit exactly with no appreciable gaps between sections.
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.4 bond joint, n—the joint formed by the adhered mating
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 surfaces of several thicknesses of cellular glass block or
ASTM C1639-16fabricated cellular glass insulation pieces that are used to create
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/07bc7276-5737-4139-b432-26ac3a9265d6/astm-c1639-16
C450 Practice for Fabrication of Thermal Insulating Fitting a cellular glass insulation billet, bun, or pipe and tubing
Covers for NPS Piping, and Vessel Lagging insulation segments. See Fig. 1.
C552 Specification for Cellular Glass Thermal Insulation 3.2.4.1 Discussion—A bond joint is created during the
C585 Practice for Inner and Outer Diameters of Thermal fabrication of cellular glass pipe and tubing insulation and is
Insulation for Nominal Sizes of Pipe and Tubing made with a full depth (100 % coverage) of an approved
D312 Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing adhesive. (See 3.2.1 and 8.4).
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:3 3.2.5 fabrication joints – see bond joint, n—the joint be-
ADJC0450A ASTM Recommended Dimensional Standards tween adhered mating surfaces of cellular glass pipe and tubing
for Fabrication of Thermal Insulation Fitting Covers insulation segments formed by fabricated segments or sections
of cellular glass insulation that are assembled in the fabrication
shop, facility, or jobsite, to produce the cellular glass pipe and
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C16 on tubing insulation. See Figs. 2-4.
Thermal Insulation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C16.40 on 3.2.5.1 Discussion—A fabrication joint is created at a fab-
Insulation Systems.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2016. Published October 2016. Originally rication shop or facility and is made with a full depth (100 %
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C1639 – 10a. DOI: coverage) of an approved adhesive.
10.1520/C1639-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 3.2.6 field joints, n—mating surfaces of cellular glass insu-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM lation created during the installation process.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3.2.6.1 Discussion—Field joints shall be formed with full
the ASTM website.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. depth adhesive, full depth of sealant or from the mating
ADJC0450A. surfaces of the cellular glass insulation.

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

1
 C1639 − 16
3.2.7.1 Discussion—Non-through joints do not intersect the
pipe insulation’s inside diameter (ID).
3.2.8 through joints, n—bond or fabrication joints that start
at the outside circumference of fabricated insulation and run
continuously in a straight line through the fabricated piece and
terminates at the pipe insulation’s inside diameter (ID) (See
Fig. 3.)
3.2.8.1 Discussion—Through joints intersect the pipe/
insulation interface.
3.2.9 beveled lag, n—rigid insulation pieces cut into isosce-
FIG. 1 Cellular Glass Insulation Billet les trapezoid shape used to form a 360° circle that is installed
around pipe or tubing.
3.2.9.1 Discussion—Beveled lags differ from precision cut
V-grooved in that pieces are a minimum of 8 in. (203 mm)
wide and are not bonded to a scrim, fabric or jacketing.

4. Classification
4.1 Specification C552 defines Type I and Type II materials.
The same classifications shall be used in this standard.

5. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance

5.1 The insulation shall have no visible defects that will
FIG. 2 Non-through Joints adversely affect its performance.
iTeh Standards
6. Standard Sizes, Dimensions, and Fabrication

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
Configurations of Cellular Glass Pipe and Tubing
Insulation

Document Preview
6.1 Cellular glass pipe and tubing insulation shall be fabri-
cated in lengths as agreed to by the purchaser and the supplier.
Typical lengths are 23 ⁄ in. (597 mm), 23 ⁄ in. (600 mm), 24
12 58

in. (610 mm), 35 ⁄ in. (902 mm), or 36 in. (914 mm).

12

ASTM C1639-16
6.2 Cellular glass pipe and tubing insulation with outer
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/07bc7276-5737-4139-b432-26ac3a9265d6/astm-c1639-16
diameters that are ≤ 65⁄8 in. (≤168 mm) shall be made to a
minimum thickness of 1-in. (25 mm). Pipe insulation with
FIG. 3 Through Joints outer diameter that is >65⁄8 in. (>168 mm) shall be made to a
minimum 1 1⁄2-in. (38 mm) thickness. Sizes shall conform to
Practice C585.
6.3 Cellular glass pipe insulation with outer diameters that
are <153⁄4 in. (<400 mm) shall be provided in half sections.
Half sections shall consist of hollow cylindrical sections split
lengthwise in a plane that includes the cylindrical axis.
6.4 Cellular glass pipe insulation with outer diameters that
are ≥153⁄4 in. (≥400 mm) and ≤ 30 in. (≤762 mm) shall be
provided in half-sections, quarter-sections or curved sidewall
segments, as agreed upon by the fabricator and purchaser.

FIG. 4 90° Joint Intersection

6.5 Cellular glass pipe insulation with outer diameters that
are >30 in. (>762 mm) shall be furnished as curved sidewall
segments (see Fig. 5) which shall be fabricated in equal size
segments such that no additional field cuts are required.
3.2.7 non-through joints, n—bond or fabrication joints that 6.6 For operating temperatures above ambient, circular cut
start at the outside circumference of fabricated insulation and segmented fabrication as shown in Fig. 5, beveled lags, or
run continuously in a straight line to the opposite side precision cut V-grooved pipe insulation, as shown in Fig. 6,
terminating at the outside circumference of the pipe insulation. specifically cut to fit the required diameter, are acceptable
(See Fig. 2.) alternatives.