Overview
ISO 24144:2023 - "Thermal insulation - Test methods for specific heat capacity of thermal insulation for buildings in the high temperature range - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method" specifies standardized test methods to measure specific heat capacity (cp) of building insulation materials under high temperature conditions (from ambient up to 1 600 K) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The standard covers both heat‑flux DSC and power‑compensation DSC implementations and is intended for reliable cp data needed in high‑temperature performance assessments.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Scope: measurement of specific heat capacity for thermal insulation materials for buildings in the high temperature range (to 1 600 K) using DSC.
- DSC principles: descriptions of heat‑flux and power‑compensation DSC instrument operation and measurement concepts.
- Temperature control: use of the three‑step temperature control method (isothermal start, constant heating, isothermal end).
- Apparatus and materials: requirements for DSC apparatus, crucibles (shape, material, mass), and high‑temperature compatible components.
- Test specimen: sampling, powdering or compression moulding procedures for specimens (see Annex B for moulding).
- Test conditions and conditioning: specified environmental and specimen conditioning practices.
- Calibration: use of calibration materials and procedures for temperature and heat‑of‑fusion verification (Annex D lists calibration materials).
- Procedure and calculations: step‑by‑step setup, specimen loading, measurement runs, post‑run checks and calculation of specific heat capacities, including handling baselines and discordance.
- Documentation: required contents of the test report to ensure traceability and reproducibility.
- Annexes: normative and informative annexes providing apparatus details, moulding procedures, analysis guidance and calibration material recommendations.
Practical applications
- Generating certified cp data for thermal insulation manufacturers and suppliers to support product data sheets.
- Supplying input data for fire safety assessments, high‑temperature thermal modelling and transient heat transfer simulations in building performance analyses.
- Supporting selection of insulation materials for high‑temperature applications (industrial furnaces, high‑rise façades with fire considerations).
- Providing reproducible test results for third‑party certification, regulatory compliance, and research into insulation behaviour at elevated temperatures.
Who should use ISO 24144:2023
- Accredited test laboratories performing DSC measurements on building insulation.
- Materials scientists and R&D teams developing high‑temperature insulation products.
- Building engineers, modelers and fire safety consultants who require validated cp data up to 1 600 K.
- Certification bodies and regulators needing standardized methods for product evaluation.
Related standards (normative references)
- ISO 11357‑1 - Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 1: General principles
- ISO 11357‑4:2021 - Plastics - DSC - Part 4: Determination of specific heat capacity
Keywords: ISO 24144:2023, specific heat capacity, thermal insulation, DSC method, high temperature range, heat‑flux DSC, power‑compensation DSC, test methods, calibration, specimen conditioning.