OVERVIEW
The ASTM D4803 is a standard test method for predicting the heat build-up in a material. Heat build-up relates to the amount of heat absorbed by a surface, which then increases the ambient air temperature around the material and on the material’s reverse side. Heat build-up is the reason the temperature in uninsulated structures such as shipping containers and modular buildings can rise considerably when exposed to prolonged sunshine and hot external temperatures.
DESCRIPTION OF TEST
A 0.048” thick piece of steel sheet had a 1.33mm coating of Zenova IP thermal insulation paint applied to one side. Alongside this, an untreated 0.048” thick piece of steel sheet was used as a control specimen.
Heat build-up in the test samples was determined using a temperature exposure box equipped with a 250-watt white infrared heat lamp. The temperature was measured with thermocouples attached to the centre of the underside of the specimens and monitored with a digital thermometer. The heat source was energized, and the temperature monitored until such time that there was no increase in temperature over a period of ten minutes. The maximum temperature was recorded for each specimen.
TEST RESULTS
The test showed that the ambient air temperature on the underside of the steel sheet coated with 1.33mm of Zenova IP thermal insulation paint rose 55% less than the untreated control sample. This concluded that Zenova IP thermal insulation paint has excellent insulation qualities and can dramatically reduce heat absorption and the transfer of heat through sheet steel.