Hygroscopic Sorption Isotherms of Building Materials

The purpose of these tests is to obtain, for a specified temperature, by means of a specified laboratory procedure, the values of the equilibrium moisture content at various levels of RH. These values are used either as means to characterize the material or as material characteristics needed as input to appropriate computer models that can simulate wetting or drying potential of individual building materials or material assemblies under specified environmental conditions. A specified value of the equilibrium moisture content can also be used for material characterization. If this type of material characterization is called for in a material specification (for example, mineral or cellulose fiber insulation), the equilibrium at 95 ? 3%RH shall be used. For ease and repeatability of measurements, the measurements for characterization are performed on adsorption isotherms. Though desorption is the reverse of adsorption, most porous materials reach different equilibrium levels during these two processes. Usually, the equilibrium moisture content on the desorption isotherm is higher than that on the adsorption isotherm for the same level of RH.