Task
In cooperation with the renowned „eph-Institut“ located in Dresden, Germany – Resysta carried out an „artificial weathering test of selected materials“. The Xenon test was chosen as test procedure.
Test Performance
Artificial weathering was carried out for 2000 h (after 650 MJ/m2 irradiation) with a Xenon tester CI 3000 (test device KL 31) according to DIN EN 11341. Artificial weathering was conducted at the following test conditions:
- 55°C black standard temperature
- 50% relative humidity
- Radiation intensity 0.5 W (m2 x nm) at 340 nm
- Weathering cycle: spray cycle 18 min, drying phase 102 min
A factor of 15-25 can be applied to this 2000 h test. Assuming factor 20 and an average of 7 sunshine hours per day (Central Europe) this corresponds to a weathering period of 15 years.
The following assessments were carried out to characterize the weathering resistance:
- visual evaluation of color change by means of gray scale according to DIN EN 20105-A02
- visual evaluation after 500 h, 1000 h, 1500 h and 2000 h.
Concluding Remark:
With all products exposed to weathering, changes of the surface appearance is taking place. Mechanical changes like swelling or shrinkage could not be demonstrated in this test.
It is clearly apparent that all wood specimen show distinct changes in color already after a short period of time. A similar effect – in milder form – can be observed with WPC materials. Besides, these feature the obvious plastic appearance.
Conclusion:
Of all tested materials, Resysta most convincingly combines the look and feel of wood with longevity.
