Overview
ISO 16545:2012 specifies equipment, procedures and reporting for determining the behaviour of thermal insulating products for building applications when subjected to cyclic (repetitive) compressive loading. The standard measures vertical deformation and relative deformation of test specimens under a defined cyclic stress waveform and records force–displacement behaviour. Test conditions (stress levels, frequency, number of cycles and conditioning) are selected according to the intended application.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies to thermal insulating products for buildings; test conditions are derived from the product’s intended use.
- Principle: Measurement of vertical deformation of specimens under repetitive load cycles (sinusoidal load assumed).
- Apparatus:
- Compression testing machine with two rigid, polished parallel plates (one fixed, one movable, ball joint allowed).
- Displacement measurement permitting continuous reading to ±5 % or ±0.1 mm (whichever is smaller).
- Force sensor permitting continuous reading to ±3 %; sensor deformation must be negligible or compensated.
- Recording device to provide F vs X (force vs displacement) curves.
- Load waveform: Cyclic (sine-like) with permitted deviation from ideal sine ≤5 % of cycle duration.
- Test specimens:
- Use original product thickness; do not layer specimens.
- Typical square specimen sizes: 50×50, 100×100, 150×150, 200×200, 300×300 mm (product standard specifies choice).
- Dimensional tolerances: linear dimensions per ISO 29768 (±0.5 %); flatness/parallelism ≤0.5 % of side (max 0.5 mm).
- Number of specimens: as per product standard or, if unspecified, five per stress level.
- Conditioning: Minimum storage 6 h at (23 ± 5) °C; in disputes use (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % RH or follow product-specific conditioning. (Note: clauses on conditioning, test conditions and reporting were modified for tropical conditions.)
- Results & reporting: Vertical deformation, relative deformation, F–X curves and test parameters. Detailed test report requirements are specified.
Applications and users
ISO 16545 is used to assess mechanical durability and compressive performance of insulation products under repetitive loading such as flooring, roofing or façade systems. Typical users:
- Third‑party testing laboratories and quality control departments
- Insulation manufacturers for product development and compliance
- Architects, specifiers and façade/flooring system designers evaluating long‑term mechanical behavior
- Certification and regulatory bodies assessing product suitability for intended service conditions
Related standards
- ISO 29469 (compression behaviour)
- ISO 29768 (linear dimensions of test specimens)
- ISO 16545 adopted from EN 13793; related ISO/EN test-method series for thermal insulating products (e.g., EN 1602, EN 1603, EN 1604)
Keywords: ISO 16545, thermal insulating products, cyclic loading, compression testing, building applications, test specimens, displacement measurement, force measurement.