Overview
EN ISO 18097:2022 - "Thermal insulating products for building equipment and industrial installations - Determination of maximum service temperature (ISO 18097:2022)" - is a CEN-adopted international test standard that specifies the equipment, test conditions and procedures for determining the maximum service temperature of flat thermal insulating products. It replaces EN 14706:2012 and is identical in text to ISO 18097:2022. The method defines how to assess dimensional stability, thickness deformation and other performance changes when insulation is exposed to elevated temperatures.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applicable to flat thermal insulating products used in building equipment and industrial installations.
- Principle: One-sided heat treatment with a controlled temperature ramp; thickness is measured during heat exposure, length and width are measured after cooling to ambient temperature.
- Apparatus: A flat hot plate with uniform temperature distribution (deviation ≤ 1 mm in the measuring zone). Hot plate control tolerance: ±2 % of set temperature or ±10 °C, whichever is smaller. Heating rates defined (e.g., 50 °C/h and/or 300 °C/h).
- Measurements & results:
- Thickness deformation versus time
- Dimensional changes (length, width)
- Observations for internal self‑heating and appearance changes
- Specimen handling: Requirements for specimen size, number and conditioning (referenced conditioning standards apply).
- Material-specific modifications: Normative annexes cover special procedures for mineral wool, cellular glass, phenolic foam, polyethylene foam (PEF) and flexible elastomeric foam (FEF).
- Accuracy & reporting: Guidance on measurement accuracy, repeatability and the required content of the test report.
Applications and who uses this standard
EN ISO 18097:2022 is used to:
- Evaluate and declare the maximum service temperature for insulation products (pipe, duct, vessel insulation, panels and flat products).
- Support product development, quality control and conformity assessment for manufacturers.
- Provide test methods for independent laboratories, certification bodies and notified bodies evaluating thermal insulation performance.
- Help specifiers, mechanical and HVAC engineers, installers and procurement teams select materials based on dimensional stability and safety at elevated temperatures.
- Assess risks such as internal self‑heating and loss of mechanical or thermal performance in industrial process and building systems.
Related standards
- ISO 29466 (thickness determination), ISO 29768 (linear dimensions), ISO 16544 (conditioning to moisture equilibrium), ISO 5725-2 (measurement repeatability) - cited as normative references.
- Normative Annexes A–D in EN ISO 18097:2022 for material-specific adaptations.
- Supersedes: EN 14706:2012.
For official test procedures, measurement tolerances and certification requirements, obtain the full standard from your national standards body or the CEN/ISO catalog.
