BS EN ISO 16546:2020

What is ISO 16546 about?  

ISO 16546 is an international standard on thermal insulating products for building applications which covers determination of freeze-thaw resistance. 

ISO 16546 specifies the equipment and test method for determining the effects of successive cycling from dry conditions at −20 °C to wet conditions at 20 °C on the mechanical properties and moisture content of thermal insulating products. ISO 16546 is intended to simulate the freeze-thaw effects on thermal insulating products which are frequently exposed to water and low-temperature conditions, e.g. inverted roofs and unprotected ground insulation. 

Who is ISO 16546 for? 

ISO 16546 on thermal insulating products for building applications is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of thermal insulating products 
• Builders 
• Mechanical engineers 

Why should you use ISO 16546?  

Freeze-thaw resistance is the ability of a product to withstand repeated wetting followed by freezing conditions, quantified by water absorption and change in compression behaviour. Freezing takes place in the air, thawing in water. ISO 16546 provides test methods to check the effect of freeze-thaw resistance on thermal insulating products. 

ISO 16546 mentioned test procedures assist you in determining the change in the amount of water absorbed and the change in compression strength or stress of a test specimen after 300 sequential cycles from dry conditions at 20 °C to wet conditions at 20 °C. The following long-term water absorption tests must be conducted in conjunction with the testing: 

• Water absorption via diffusion, as defined by ISO 16536 
• Total immersion water absorption, as defined by ISO 16535. 

ISO 16546 gives information about the apparatus used for the test methods on the test specimen including general requirements on the dimensions, number, preparation and conditioning of test specimens. 

ISO 16546 provides a flowchart for the test procedure to make it easier to understand that includes preliminary tests, water absorption freeze-thaw cycling, compression behaviour and interruption of the procedure. 

Overall, these test techniques allow you to develop freeze-thaw resistant thermal insulating products in order to assure cost-effectiveness, sustainability and energy-efficient retrofitting of building items. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN ISO 16546:2020 replaces ISO 16546:2012. BS EN ISO 16546:2020 includes some technical changes with respect to ISO 16546:2012. These include: 

• The test is performed by an automatic process only 
• Given a more detailed procedure.