This specification covers the general requirements for vacuum insulation panels (VIP). These panels have been used wherever high thermal resistance is desired in confined space applications, such as transportation, equipment, and appliances. The panel barrier consists of one or more layers of materials whose primary functions are to control gas diffusion to the core, and to provide mechanical protection. The core shall comprise a system of cells, microspheres, powders, fibers, aerogels, or laminates, whose chemical composition shall be organic, inorganic, or metallic. The physical and mechanical properties of vacuum insulation panels are presented in details. The compressive resistance, panel barrier permeance, and center-of-panel thermal resistivit shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed. The effective thermal resistance differs significantly from the product of the center-of-panel resistivity and the thickness, and this system characteristic must take into account the details of the overall VIP design as well as its installation. The creep and dimensional stability at service condition shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed.

1.1 This specification covers the general requirements for Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP). These panels have been used wherever high thermal resistance is desired in confined space applications, such as transportation, equipment, and appliances.

1.2 Vacuum panels typically exhibit an edge effect due to differences between panel core and panel barrier thermal properties. This specification applies to composite panels whose center-of-panel apparent thermal resistivities (sec. 3.2.3) typically range from 87 to 870 m·K/W at 24°C mean, and whose intended service temperature boundaries range from –70 to 480°C.

1.3 The specification applies to panels encompassing evacuated space with: some means of preventing panel collapse due to atmospheric pressure, some means of reducing radiation heat transfer, and some means of reducing the mean free path of the remaining gas molecules.

1.4 Limitations:

1.4.1 The specification is intended for evacuated planar composites; it does not apply to non-planar evacuated self-supporting structures, such as containers or bottles with evacuated walls.

1.4.2 The specification describes the thermal performance considerations in the use of these insulations. Because this market is still developing, discrete classes of products have not yet been defined and standard performance values are not yet available.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health specifications and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1—For specific safety considerations see Annex A1.