C578 Type XIII
ASTM C578 Type XIII is a rigid closed-cell styrenic foam board in the ASTM C578 family, sitting between Type IV and Type VI in density and strength for general building insulation.
Reference datasheet — C578 Type XIII is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
C578 Type XIII grades and fills
C578 Type XIII is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High recycled-content board | Uses reclaimed polystyrene for LEED/EPD credit; colour and skin uniformity vary. | — | 0.27 | 2.5 | — |
Low-GWP HFO / CO₂-blown formulation | Current-generation blowing agent for green-building and EPD-driven projects; slightly higher aged λ than legacy HFC boards. | — | 0.3 | 3 | — |
Polymeric flame retardant | Standard for REACH/RoHS-sensitive and Chinese B1-grade markets replacing hexabromocyclododecane. | — | 0.3 | 3 | — |
Thin fanfold sheathing / underlayment | Thin accordion-folded XPS used as siding underlayment and re-side smoothing layer. | — | 0.33 | 3 | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways C578 Type XIII is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
GROOVED | Drainage-grooved / channelled board | Surface finish |
SHIPLAP | Shiplap / tongue-and-groove edge board | Surface finish |
PLANED | Planed / skinless surface | Coating |
STDDefault | Standard square-edge board, smooth extrusion skin | Standard supply |
What is C578 Type XIII?
ASTM C578 Type XIII is a rigid closed-cell styrenic foam board in the ASTM C578 family, sitting between Type IV and Type VI in density and strength for general building insulation. Default boards run 0.021 g/cm³ density, 0.029 W/m·K thermal conductivity and a 74 °C maximum service temperature; stock forms include square-edge, shiplap, planed and grooved boards, thin fanfold sheet, HFO-blown, flame-retardant-polymer and recycled-content variants. Limits are the low service temperature, solvent and UV sensitivity, and the code requirement for a thermal barrier indoors. Step up to Type VI where higher compressive strength is required. C578 Type XIII has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (7.59×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 97% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F). C578 Type XIII has a tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi), weaker than 94% of polymer grades. The elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi).
What is C578 Type XIII used for?
- Wall sheathing insulation
- Roof insulation
- Foundation insulation
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 99% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.02 g/cm³ (7.59×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.1%, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 12/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.0168 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 86% of polymer grades
C578 Type XIII properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
C578 Type XIII has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (7.59×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 97% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical7
C578 Type XIII has a tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi), weaker than 94% of polymer grades. The elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal8
C578 Type XIII is rated for continuous service to 74°C (165 °F). It conducts heat at 0.03 W/m·K (0.0168 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is not recommended.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C578 Type XIII takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability2
C578 Type XIII's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 99% of polymer grades); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. C578 Type XIII is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C578 Type XIII
Is C578 Type XIII easy to machine?
Cut with a utility knife, fine-tooth handsaw or hot-wire table; hot-wire gives clean edges but must be fume-extracted, and routing generates static-clinging dust.
Can C578 Type XIII be welded?
Not weldable; join by mechanical fasteners with large plates, tape, or XPS-compatible foam adhesive.
Can C578 Type XIII be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as extruded board only — no field thermoforming; thin fanfold sheets can be scored and folded, thicker boards must be kerf-cut for curves.
C578 Type XIII chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| blowing agent (HFO-1234ze / CO2 / HFC leresidual cell gas; determines aged R-value | 1.5 – 6 | 3 |
| flame retardant (polymeric brominated, f | 0.5 – 2 | 1 |
| nucleating agent (talc) + pigment | 0.1 – 1 | 0.5 |
| polystyrene (general-purpose PS)may include reclaimed PS | ≥ 92 (balance) | — |
What surface finishes work on C578 Type XIII?
Must be covered: render/EIFS mesh coat, cladding or a code-approved 15-minute thermal barrier indoors; use only water-based or solvent-free coatings and never hot bitumen directly on the foam.
How much does C578 Type XIII cost?
C578 Type XIII is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C578 Type XIII — frequently asked
What is C578 Type XIII used for?
C578 Type XIII is typically used for wall sheathing insulation, roof insulation and foundation insulation. In short: mid-density C578 board; between Type IV and VI; low-conductivity building board.
What is the tensile strength of C578 Type XIII?
C578 Type XIII has a typical tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is C578 Type XIII easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 99% of polymer grades). Cut with a utility knife, fine-tooth handsaw or hot-wire table; hot-wire gives clean edges but must be fume-extracted, and routing generates static-clinging dust.
Can C578 Type XIII be welded?
Not weldable; join by mechanical fasteners with large plates, tape, or XPS-compatible foam adhesive.
What surface finishes work on C578 Type XIII?
Must be covered: render/EIFS mesh coat, cladding or a code-approved 15-minute thermal barrier indoors; use only water-based or solvent-free coatings and never hot bitumen directly on the foam.
Can C578 Type XIII be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as extruded board only — no field thermoforming; thin fanfold sheets can be scored and folded, thicker boards must be kerf-cut for curves.
What is the maximum service temperature of C578 Type XIII?
C578 Type XIII is rated for continuous use to about 74°C (165 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C578 Type XIII cost?
C578 Type XIII is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM C578 – Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM C518 / C203 / C272 / C1621 test methods for cellular plastic insulation — ASTM International (2021)
- FOAMULAR XPS insulation product data — Owens Corning (2023)
- STYROFOAM Brand XPS Insulation technical data — DuPont Performance Building Solutions (2023)
- GreenGuard XPS board technical literature — Kingspan Insulation (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.