ISO 18098:2022

Overview

ISO 18098:2022 specifies the equipment and procedures for determining the apparent overall density and apparent core density of preformed pipe insulation used in building equipment and industrial installations. Applicable to full‑size products and test specimens, the standard defines how to prepare, condition, measure and report density under reference conditions to ensure repeatable, comparable results.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Measurement of apparent overall density (including production surface skins but excluding facings/coatings) and apparent core density (core only, with skins/facings removed).
• Principle: Density is the quotient of mass and volume (ρ = m / V).
• Apparatus:
  • Balance accurate to 0.5% for mass measurement.
  • Equipment for linear dimension measurement per ISO 12628.
• Specimen preparation:
  • Full‑size products or representative specimens; cut without altering structure.
  • Remove facings/coatings when required; if removal affects density, deduct facing mass by calculation.
• Conditioning and test conditions:
  • Standard conditioning and testing at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % RH.
  • Tropical alternative: (27 ± 5) °C and (65 ± 5) % RH.
• Measurement procedure:
  • Measure linear dimensions (ISO 12628) and calculate volumes; for pipe sections use V = (π/4) × l × (D^2 – Di^2).
  • Weigh specimens, apply any deductions for facings, and compute density.
  • Use at least three specimens if the number is not specified by a product standard.
• Results and reporting:
  • Round individual and mean densities to three significant figures.
  • Test report must reference ISO 18098:2022 and include product ID, sampling and conditioning history, deviations, all individual values and the mean.
• Notes: Water displacement may be used for irregular shapes; an accuracy statement was not included in this edition.

Applications and users

ISO 18098:2022 is used for:

• Quality control and production verification by insulation manufacturers.
• Independent testing laboratories performing material characterization.
• Specification and compliance checks by procurement teams, building engineers, and certification bodies.
• Product development and R&D for thermal insulation products to ensure consistent density metrics that influence thermal performance and mechanical behavior.

Keywords: ISO 18098, ISO 18098:2022, apparent density, apparent core density, preformed pipe insulation, thermal insulating products, density test, conditioning, test specimens.

Related standards

• ISO 12628 - referenced for measurement of dimensions, squareness and linearity of preformed pipe insulation.
• ISO 18098:2013 and EN 13470:2001 - earlier documents merged/revised into this edition of ISO 18098.