ISO 10051-1996 PDF

Full title and description

Thermal insulation — Moisture effects on heat transfer — Determination of thermal transmissivity of a moist material. This International Standard specifies a laboratory method for determining the thermal transmissivity (λ) of a material containing moisture under steady-state moisture conditions so the measurement is not influenced by moisture movement.

Abstract

ISO 10051:1996 defines a test procedure to quantify how moisture content affects the heat transfer properties of an insulation or building material. The method is intended for controlled laboratory measurement (guarded hot plate and heat flow meter techniques, at temperatures above 0 °C) and yields a material property (thermal transmissivity) that depends on moisture content; it is not a direct indicator of installed/service performance but may be used with moisture-condition data to predict practical performance.

General information

• Status: Published — International Standard (confirmed during systematic review).
• Publication date: April 1996 (Edition 1, 1996-04).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 27.220 — Heat recovery. Thermal insulation.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1996).
• Number of pages: 19 pages.

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details as recorded by ISO.

Scope

Specifies a test method to determine the thermal transmissivity (λ) of a moist material under steady-state moisture conditions (i.e., when results are not affected by transient moisture movement). The procedure covers conditioning of specimens, measurement using standardized guarded hot plate and heat flow meter apparatus at temperatures above 0 °C, calculation of λ as a function of moisture content, and reporting of results. The standard is focused on the material property in controlled conditions rather than on in-service thermal performance of assemblies.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of thermal transmissivity (λ) for moist materials.
• Specimen conditioning to steady-state moisture content before testing.
• Measurement methods: guarded hot plate and heat flow meter techniques (standardized apparatus and procedures).
• Test temperature constraints (measurements at temperatures above 0 °C) and control of environmental parameters.
• Calculation, uncertainty considerations and reporting of λ as a function of moisture content (note: results describe material property, not installed system performance).

These topics align with the test-and-measurement standards developed under ISO/TC 163/SC 1.

Typical use and users

Primary users are materials test laboratories, manufacturers of thermal insulation and building materials, research and development groups, building physicists and specifiers, and certification/assessment bodies. Typical uses include characterizing how moisture alters thermal properties for product development, quality control, technical data declarations, and inputs to hygrothermal performance models.

Related standards

ISO 10051 is part of the thermal‑insulation/testing family and is commonly referenced alongside standards for guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods (ISO 8302 / ISO 8301 series), steady‑state transmission properties (ISO 8990), conditioning and moisture content determination (e.g., EN/ISO conditioning documents, ISO 12570 and related CEN guidance). These standards are maintained within ISO/TC 163/SC 1 (thermal insulation — test and measurement methods).

Keywords

thermal transmissivity, thermal conductivity, moisture effects, moisture content, thermal insulation, guarded hot plate, heat flow meter, hygrothermal testing, ISO 10051, material testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10051:1996 is an ISO International Standard that specifies a laboratory method to determine the thermal transmissivity (λ) of a moist material under steady-state moisture conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen conditioning to a steady moisture state, measurement using guarded hot plate and heat flow meter apparatus (at temperatures above 0 °C), calculation of thermal transmissivity as a function of moisture, and reporting requirements. The output is a material property useful for prediction but not a direct installed-system rating.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials testing laboratories, insulation manufacturers, R&D teams, building physicists, product certifiers and specifiers who need quantified data on how moisture affects heat transfer through materials.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: According to ISO's catalogue the 1996 edition is published and has been through confirmation steps; it remains an ISO-published standard in the ISO lifecycle. National adoption or withdrawal of a national implementation can vary by country; always check the national standards body for local status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it sits within the ISO thermal‑insulation test and measurement family (ICS 27.220) and is used alongside related test-method standards such as the guarded hot plate and heat flow meter standards (ISO 8301/8302), ISO 8990 and other hygrothermal documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Thermal transmissivity (λ), moisture effects, thermal insulation testing, guarded hot plate, heat flow meter, moisture conditioning, hygrothermal properties, ISO 10051.