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 5mm coating of Zenova IR thermal insulation render 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 5mm of Zenova IR thermal insulation render rose 54% less than the untreated control sample. This concluded that Zenova IR thermal insulation render has excellent insulation qualities and can dramatically reduce heat absorption and the transfer of heat through sheet steel.