
EN ISO 12572: Water Vapor Permeability of Construction Products
The EN ISO 12572 standard defines methods for determining the water vapor permeability of construction products. This standard is crucial for evaluating the capacity of materials to regulate moisture, which has a significant impact on indoor climate and the longevity of buildings. By complying with this standard, companies can ensure their products meet the required standards for moisture management.
Main Testing Methods in EN ISO 12572
The EN ISO 12572 standard describes several testing methods, including:
High Vacuum Method:
This method uses a high vacuum to measure the water vapor permeability of materials, providing highly precise results. It is often applied in specialized laboratories where a highly controlled testing environment is required.
Water Vapor Diffusion Resistance:
This method measures the resistance that the material provides to water vapor penetration. It is ideal for evaluating moisture regulation and is commonly used in the testing of insulation materials.
Comparative Analysis:
This method allows for the direct comparison of water vapor permeability between different materials. It is particularly useful for selecting the most suitable materials for specific applications.
Application Areas of the EN ISO 12572 Standard
The EN ISO 12572 standard is used in various fields within the construction industry:
Construction Industry:
The standard helps construction companies select materials that positively impact the indoor climate by regulating excess moisture and thus reducing the risk of mold.
Insulation Materials:
Insulation materials that meet the standard contribute to energy efficiency by ensuring controlled moisture permeability and improving the thermal performance of buildings.
Interior Finishes:
For interior finishes, the standard is valuable in identifying materials that contribute to improved air quality by regulating moisture conditions in indoor environments.
EN ISO 12572-Certified Machines
Here are five machines that comply with the EN ISO 12572 standard, suitable for precise water vapor permeability testing:
- With GraviTest the determination of water vapour transmission rates of polymeric films and other sheet materials by gravimetric method becomes mere child’s play.
- The new Automatic Gravimetric WVTR Tester GINTRONIC GraviTest 6250 comes with a 0.01mg balance as a standard feature. The 0.01 mg balance makes WVTR measurements of low perm materials 2-3 times faster than the previous generation systems.
- The same instrument like GINTRONIC GraviTest 6300/6400, but also for samples with a thickness up to 50mm.