bs dd cen_ts 15534-1-2007
DESCRIPTION
Norma para caracterizar productos de WPCTRANSCRIPT
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DRAFT FOR DEVELOPMENT
DD CEN/TS 15534-1:2007Incorporating corrigendum no. 1Wood-plastics composites (WPC) —Part 1: Test methods for characterisation of WPC materials and products
ICS 79.060.01
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DD CEN/TS 15534-1:2007
This Draft for Development was published under the
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authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 29 June 2007
© BSI 2007
ISBN 978 0 580 59570 7
National foreword
This Draft for Development is the UK implementation of CEN/TS 15534-1:2007.This publication is not to be regarded as a British Standard.It is being issued in the Draft for Development series of publications and is of a provisional nature. It should be applied on this provisional basis, so that information and experience of its practical application can be obtained.Comments arising from the use of this Draft for Development are requested so that UK experience can be reported to the European organization responsible for its conversion to a European standard. A review of this publication will be initiated not later than 3 years after its publication by the European organization so that a decision can be taken on its status. Notification of the start of the review period will be made in an announcement in the appropriate issue of Update Standards.According to the replies received by the end of the review period, the responsible BSI Committee will decide whether to support the conversion into a European Standard, to extend the life of the Technical Specification or to withdraw it. Comments should be sent to the Secretary of the responsible BSI Technical Committee at British Standards House, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL.The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee PRI/82, Thermoplastic materials.A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date Comments
17306 Corrigendum No. 1
31 August 2007 Implementation of CEN Correction Notice July 2007: in Annex A, A.2, indent f), cross reference to Figure B.1 modified to read Figure A.1
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
CEN/TS 15534-1
May 2007
ICS 79.060.01
English Version
Wood-plastics composites (WPC) - Part 1: Test methods forcharacterisation of WPC materials and products
Composites bois-plastiques (WPC) - Partie 1 : Méthodesd'essai pour la caractérisation des matériaux WPC et des
produits en WPC
Holz-Polymer-Werkstoffe (WPC) - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren fürdie Beschreibung von WPC-Werkstoffen und -
Erzeugnissen
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 29 December 2006 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit theircomments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS availablepromptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONC OM ITÉ EUR OP ÉEN DE NOR M ALIS AT IONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels
© 2007 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.
Ref. No. CEN/TS 15534-1:2007: E
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Contents Page
Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................4 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................5 1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................6 2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................6 3 Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................8 4 Test specimens ......................................................................................................................................8 5 Conditioning...........................................................................................................................................9 6 Physical properties................................................................................................................................9 6.1 Density ....................................................................................................................................................9 6.2 Moisture content ....................................................................................................................................9 6.3 Heat deflection temperature (HDT) ....................................................................................................10 6.4 Coefficient of friction...........................................................................................................................10 7 Mechanical properties.........................................................................................................................10 7.1 Impact resistance.................................................................................................................................10 7.1.1 Flexural impact.....................................................................................................................................10 7.1.2 Falling mass impact ............................................................................................................................10 7.1.3 Puncture impact...................................................................................................................................11 7.2 Tensile properties ................................................................................................................................11 7.3 Flexural properties...............................................................................................................................11 7.3.1 Materials ...............................................................................................................................................11 7.3.2 Non-load bearing products.................................................................................................................11 7.3.3 Load bearing products........................................................................................................................11 7.4 Creep behaviour...................................................................................................................................12 7.4.1 Materials ...............................................................................................................................................12 7.4.2 Products ...............................................................................................................................................12 7.5 Resistance to indentation (Brinell hardness) ...................................................................................12 7.6 Nail and screw withdrawal ..................................................................................................................12 7.7 Pull through resistance.......................................................................................................................12 8 Durability ..............................................................................................................................................13 8.1 Resistance to artificial weathering.....................................................................................................13 8.1.1 Xenon-arc sources...............................................................................................................................13 8.1.2 Fluorescent UV lamps for coated WPC products.............................................................................14 8.1.3 Other test methods..............................................................................................................................14 8.2 Resistance to natural ageing..............................................................................................................14 8.3 Swelling and water absorption...........................................................................................................14 8.4 Dimensional changes (changes in relative humidity of air) ............................................................14 8.5 Moisture resistance .............................................................................................................................15 8.5.1 Under cyclic conditions ......................................................................................................................15 8.5.2 Closed environment at elevated temperature...................................................................................15 8.6 Resistance against biological agents................................................................................................15 8.6.1 Ageing procedure ................................................................................................................................15 8.6.2 Resistance against termites ...............................................................................................................16 8.6.3 Resistance against wood decaying and staining fungi and micro-organisms .............................16 9 Thermal properties ..............................................................................................................................17 9.1 Linear thermal expansion ...................................................................................................................17 9.2 Heat reversion ......................................................................................................................................17 9.3 Heat build-up ........................................................................................................................................18
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10 Burning behaviour...............................................................................................................................18 10.1 Limit oxygen index (LOI).....................................................................................................................18 10.2 Reaction to fire ....................................................................................................................................18 10.2.1 Single flame source test .....................................................................................................................18 10.2.2 Single burning item (SBI) test ............................................................................................................18 10.2.3 Radiant heat source test (for floorings) ............................................................................................18 11 Other properties ..................................................................................................................................19 11.1 Degree of chalking ..............................................................................................................................19 11.2 Change of gloss...................................................................................................................................19 11.3 Peel strength resistance.....................................................................................................................19 12 Summary of the properties and relevant test methods...................................................................20 Bibliography......................................................................................................................................................41
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Foreword
This document (CEN/TS 15534-1:2007) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
CEN/TS 15534 consists of the following parts, under the general title Wood-plastics composites (WPC):
Part 1: Test methods for characterisation of WPC materials and products
Part 2: Characterisation of WPC materials
Part 3: Characterisation of WPC products.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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Introduction
The denomination “wood-plastics composites”, WPC, is usually used to designate materials or products made of one or more natural fibres or flours and a polymer or a mixture of polymers. Natural fibres and flours come from different vegetable sources (e.g. wood, hemp, sisal, jute, kenaf, rice) and all kind of polymers (virgin or recycled) can be used but currently the most common ones are poly(vinyl chloride) PVC, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).
WPC materials can be considered neither as filled plastics nor as a special kind of wood. They should be considered as a different material having their own characteristics.
The main applications of WPC products are at present decking, siding, cladding, panelling and fencing furniture. WPC materials can be processed by different techniques, as extruding for profiles and pipes, calendering for films and sheets or injection moulding. The contents of natural fibres and polymers depend on the application and the processing techniques.
As the market of WPC materials and products is currently growing in Europe, there is a lack of harmonisation for the test methods needed to characterise WPC materials and products and for the specifications they should comply with. Up to now, each branch of industry has its own practice and used its own test methods. In this context, a European Technical Specification seemed to be the best choice to increase the experience and knowledge in order to guarantee that quality products in this new market. The status of Technical Specification has also been chosen because the WPC materials and products and their characteristics are not sufficiently known for the time being.
It consists of the following parts:
Part 1: to identify the test methods and their relevant parameters and test conditions to be used for the determination of the characteristics of WPC materials and products;
Part 2: to identify the required and optional properties of WPC materials;
Part 3: to identify the required and optional properties of WPC products.
This Technical Specification may be transformed into a European Standard after several years when the state of the art will be better known and stabilized.
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1 Scope
This Technical Specification specifies test methods and their relevant parameters and test conditions to be used in determining selected properties of wood-plastics composites, usually called WPC, materials and products. It is applicable to cellular or non-cellular WPC materials processed through plastics processing techniques, as defined in Clause 3.
The properties have been selected from the test methods usually used in the plastics and wood fields.
These test methods are primarily intended to be used for the characterisation of WPC materials (see CEN/TS 15534-2 [1]) and WPC products (see CEN/TS 15534-3 [2]).
NOTE This document may be revised when other parts of CEN/TS 15534 are being amended or added.
The purpose of this document is to provide test methods to assess a wide range of performance characteristics for WPC materials and products. But, all the characteristics listed in this part of CEN/TS 15534 are not necessarily to be assessed for a given application.
This Technical Specification takes into account the current state of the art and is intended to be used by WPC material suppliers and converters. No limitation has been introduced for the content of cellulosic materials.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 117:2005, Wood preservatives — Determination of toxic values against Reticulitermes species (European termites) (laboratory method)
EN 310, Wood based panels — Determination of modulus of elasticity in bending and of bending strength
EN 317, Particleboards and fibreboards — Determination of swelling in thickness after immersion in water
EN 318, Wood-based panels — Determination of dimensional changes associated with changes in relative humidity
EN 321, Wood based panels — Determination of moisture resistance under cyclic test conditions
EN 477:1995, Unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors — Determination of the resistance to impact of main profiles by falling mass
EN 479, Unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors — Determination of heat reversion
EN 789:2004, Timber structures — Test methods — Determination of mechanical properties of wood based panels
EN 927-6, Paints and varnishes — Coating materials and coating systems for exterior wood — Part 6: Exposure of wood coatings to artificial weathering using fluorescent UV lamps and water
ENV 1156, Wood-based panels — Determination of duration of load and creep factors
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EN 1383, Timber structures — Test methods — Pull through resistance of timber fasteners
EN 1534, Wood and parquet flooring — Determination of resistance to indentation (Brinell) — Test method
ENV 12038:2002, Durability of wood and wood-based products — Wood-based panels — Method of test for determining the resistance against wood-destroying basidiomycetes
EN 13446, Wood-based panels — Determination of withdrawal capacity of fasteners
EN 13823, Reaction to fire tests for building products — Building products excluding floorings exposed to the thermal attack by a single burning item
EN 13893, Resilient, laminate and textile floor coverings — Measurement of dynamic coefficient of friction on dry floor surfaces
CEN/TS 15083-2:2005, Durability of wood and wood-based products — Determination of the natural durability of solid wood against wood-destroying fungi, test methods — Part 2: Soft rotting micro-fungi
prEN 15458, Paints and varnishes — Laboratory method for testing the efficacy of film preservatives in a coating against algae
EN 20105-A03, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A03: Grey scale for assessing staining (ISO 105-A03:1993)
EN ISO 75-1, Plastics — Determination of temperature of deflection under load — Part 1: General testing conditions (ISO 75-1:2004)
EN ISO 75-2, Plastics — Determination of temperature of deflection under load — Part 2: Plastics, ebonite and long-fibre-reinforced composites (ISO 75-2:2004)
EN ISO 178, Plastics — Determination of flexural properties (ISO 178:2001)
EN ISO 179-1, Plastics — Determination of Charpy impact properties — Part 1: Non-instrumented impact test (ISO 179-1:2000)
EN ISO 291, Plastics —Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing (ISO 291:2005)
EN ISO 472:2001, Plastics — Vocabulary (ISO 472:1999)
EN ISO 527-1, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles (ISO 527-1:1993 including Corr 1:1994)
EN ISO 527-2, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and extrusion plastics (ISO 527-2:1993 including Corr 1:1994)
EN ISO 877, Plastics — Methods for exposure to direct weathering, to weathering using glass-filtered daylight, and to intensified weathering by daylight using Fresnel mirrors (ISO 877:1994)
EN ISO 899-2, Plastics — Determination of creep behaviour — Part 2: Flexural creep by three-point loading (ISO 899-2:2003)
EN ISO 1183-1, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 1: Immersion method, liquid pyknometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1:2004)
EN ISO 1183-3, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 3: Gas pyknometer method (ISO 1183-3:1999)
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EN ISO 2813, Paints and varnishes -- Determination of specular gloss of non-metallic paint films at 20°, 60° and 85° (ISO 2813:1994, including Technical Corrigendum 1:1997)
EN ISO 4589-2, Plastics — Determination of burning behaviour by oxygen index — Part 2: Ambient-temperature test (ISO 4589-2:1996)
EN ISO 4628-6, Paints and varnishes — Evaluation of degradation of coatings — Designation of quantity and size of defects, and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance — Part 6: Assessment of degree of chalking by tape method (ISO 4628-6:2006)
EN ISO 4892-1, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 1: General guidance (ISO 4892-1:1999)
EN ISO 4892-2, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps (ISO 4892-2:2006)
EN ISO 6603-2, Plastics — Determination of puncture impact behaviour of rigid plastics — Part 2: Instrumented puncture test (ISO 6603-2:2000)
EN ISO 9142:2003, Adhesives — Guide to the selection of standard laboratory ageing conditions for testing bonded joints (ISO 9142:2003)
EN ISO 9239-1, Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behaviour using a radiant heat source (ISO 9239-1:2002)
EN ISO 11925-2, Reaction to fire tests — Ignitability of building products subjected to direct impingement of flame — Part 2: Single-flame source test (ISO 11925-2:2002)
ISO 7724-1, Paints and varnishes — Colorimetry — Part 1: Principles
ISO 7724-2, Paints and varnishes — Colorimetry — Part 2: Colour measurement
ISO 7724-3, Paints and varnishes — Colorimetry — Part 3: Calculation of colour differences
ISO 11359-2, Plastics — Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) — Part 2: Determination of coefficient of linear thermal expansion and glass transition temperature
ISO 16869, Plastics — Assessment of the effectiveness of fungistatic compounds in plastics formulations
ISO 16979:2003, Wood-based panels — Determination of moisture content
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions given in EN ISO 472:2001 and the following apply.
3.1 wood-plastics composite, WPC material or product made thereof being the result of the combination of one or several cellulosic materials with one or several thermoplastics and being or to be processed through plastic processing techniques
4 Test specimens
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant test method, the test specimens shall be prepared by sawing, milling or sanding (grade 120 or grade 240) on all surfaces and their finished dimensions shall be 50 mm x 50 mm x 4 mm.
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For cellular WPC products, the thickness of the test specimens shall be the actual thickness of the samples from which they are prepared and shall be declared in the test report.
5 Conditioning
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant test method, the test specimens used for the determination of the material and product characteristics shall be conditioned during at least 24 h in the standard atmosphere 23/50 (23 °C, relative humidity 50 %) in accordance with EN ISO 291.
6 Physical properties
6.1 Density
The density of non-cellular WPC materials can be measured according to:
EN ISO 1183-1: This part of EN ISO 1183 specifies three methods for the determination of the density of non-cellular plastics in the form of void-free moulded or extruded objects, as well as powders, flakes and granules.
Method A: immersion method for solid plastics (except for powders) in void-free form. This method consists of comparing the weight of the specimen in air and immerged in a liquid of specified density. The density of the specimen is calculated using the Archimède principle.
Method B: liquid pyknometer method, for particles, powders, flakes, granules or small pieces of finished parts. This method consists of comparing the weight of the pyknometer full of immersion liquid and the pyknometer full with specimen and immersion liquid. The density of the specimen is calculated using the Archimède principle.
Method C: titration method, for plastics in any void-free form. This method consists of mixing two miscible liquids of different density, one lighter, the other heavier than specimen and to estimate the density of the mixture where the specimen stays in suspension.
EN ISO 1183-3: Gas pyknometer method. The volume of a specimen of known apparent mass is determined by measuring the change of gas volume within a pyknometer upon introducing the specimen. The volume change may be obtained either directly by means of a movable piston or indirectly by measuring the change of the pressure within the pyknometer and calculating the volume using
In order to avoid problems with liquid absorption by WPC materials, EN ISO 1183-3 is recommended.
Density for cellular WPC materials can be measured according to EN ISO 1183-3. This method consists of measuring the volume and the mass of the sample and calculating the mass per unit volume of the sample.
6.2 Moisture content
ISO 16979 describes a test method for determining the moisture content of wood-based panels by weighing the loss of mass of each test piece between its state at the time of sampling and its state after drying to constant mass at (103 ± 2) °C, and calculation of this loss of mass as a percentage of the mass of the test piece after drying.
Constant mass is considered to be reached when the results of two successive weighing operations, carried out at a minimum interval of 24 h, do not differ by more than 0,1 % of the mass of the test pieces.
NOTE ISO 16979:2003 is based on EN 322[3].
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6.3 Heat deflection temperature (HDT)
EN ISO 75-1 gives a general test method for the determination of the temperature of deflection under load (flexural stress under three-point loading) of plastics. In that method, a standard test specimen is subjected to three-point bending under a constant load to produce stresses in the specimen. The temperature is raised at a uniform rate, and the temperature at which the standard deflection occurs measured.
EN ISO 75-2 describes three methods using different test loads and two specimen positions, edgewise and flatwise as follows:
Method A using a flexural stress of 1,80 MPa;
Method B using a flexural stress of 0,45 MPa;
Method C using a flexural stress of 8,00 MPa.
6.4 Coefficient of friction
EN 13893 specifies the method for the determination of the dynamic coefficient of friction on dry floor surfaces.
Skates made of a specified material and having a specified form are loaded in order to give a specified force to the floor. The loaded skates are pulled parallel to the surface of the floor at a specified constant speed. The horizontal force required for the pulling is registered over a certain distance. The horizontal force is divided by the vertical force to calculate the dynamic coefficient of friction.
NOTE Works are in progress in CEN/TC 339 for the preparation of test methods for the determination of the slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces.
7 Mechanical properties
7.1 Impact resistance
7.1.1 Flexural impact
EN ISO 179-1 specifies a method for determining the Charpy impact strength of plastics under defined conditions. A number of different types of methods are defined amongst which ISO 179-1/1fU is recommended for the purpose of this Technical Specification. Method ISO 179-1/1fU refers to a flat wise impacted unnotched specimen.
The method is used to investigate the behaviour of specified types of specimen under the impact conditions defined and for estimating the brittleness or toughness of specimens within the limitations inherent in the test conditions. It may also be used for the determination of comparative data from similar types of material.
The test specimen, supported near its ends as a horizontal beam, is impacted by a single blow of a striker, with the line of impact midway between the supports, and bent at a high, nominally constant, velocity.
7.1.2 Falling mass impact
EN 477 describes a test method for determining the resistance to impact of profiles, subjected to a blow from a known height on the sight surface at a point mid-way between two supporting webs at a given temperature.
EN 477 can be used to determine the resistance to impact of non-cellular WPC products. The energy level used and the test temperature shall be declared in the test report.
However, EN 477 is not applicable for determining the resistance to impact of profiles made of cellular materials. In this case the test method given in Annex A shall be used.
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7.1.3 Puncture impact
EN ISO 6603-2 which specifies a method for the determination of puncture impact properties of rigid plastics in the form of flat specimens using instruments for measuring forces and deflection at a given temperature, can be used for WPC products. The test atmosphere conditions shall be declared.
7.2 Tensile properties
EN ISO 527-1 specifies the general principles for determining the tensile properties of plastics and plastic composites under defined conditions. The methods are used to investigate the tensile behaviour of the test specimens and for determining the tensile strength, tensile modulus and other aspects of the tensile stress/strain relationship. In these methods, the test specimen is extended along its major longitudinal axis at constant speed until the specimen fractures or until the stress (load) or the strain (elongation) reaches some predetermined value. The test conditions are specified in EN ISO 527-2.
The test specimen shall be dumb-bell-shaped 1B which is the shape preferred for machined specimens. Type 1A (directly-moulded multipurpose test specimens) is not recommended for WPC materials.
7.3 Flexural properties
7.3.1 Materials
EN ISO 178 specifies a test method for determining the flexural properties of rigid and semi-rigid plastics under specified conditions. It also applies to fibre-reinforced compounds with fibre lengths ≤ 7,5 mm prior to processing. A standard test specimen is defined (80 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm), but parameters are included for alternative specimen sizes for use where appropriate. The test specimen, supported as a beam, is deflected at a constant rate (2 ± 0,5) mm/min, at the midspan until the specimen fractures or until the deformation reaches some predetermined value.
7.3.2 Non-load bearing products
EN 310 specifies a method of determining the apparent modulus of elasticity in flat wise bending and bending strength of wood-based panels of nominal thickness equal to or greater than 3 mm. The test method consists of applying, at a given speed, a force by means of a loading edge in a transversal direction to the faces of the test specimen, which is placed on two supporting positions.
The test specimen is a full size product, then cut in rectangular shape to length for testing. The full length of the specimen is defined as being 20 times its thickness plus 50 mm.
NOTE If for technical reasons, the length as specified cannot be achieved, a specimen of a shorter length may be used.
The actual length of the specimen shall be declared in the test report.
The calculated value is the apparent modulus of elasticity, because of the shear forces induced in the specimen. The bending strength is the maximum stress calculated from the maximum force recorded during the bending procedure, at a constant rate of 10 mm/min.
7.3.3 Load bearing products
Clause 7 of EN 789:2004, which specifies a test method for determining bending properties of wood-based panels, can be applied to WPC products intended to be used in load bearing structures.
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7.4 Creep behaviour
7.4.1 Materials
EN ISO 899-2 specifies a method for determining the flexural creep in the form of standard test specimen under specified conditions. It applies only to a simple freely supported beam loaded at mid-span (three-point-loading test). The recommended test specimen dimensions are 80 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm. The method may be unsuitable for certain fibre-reinforced materials due to differences in fibre orientation.
The applied stress shall be 25 % of the flexural strength determined according to EN ISO 178.
7.4.2 Products
ENV 1156 specifies a method of determining in a constant climate both a duration of load factor and a creep factor for wood-based panels stressed in flatwise bending with and without a shear component.
The load duration factor (loss in strength with time under load) and the creep factor (ratio of increase in deflection with time to the initial elastic deflection) in bending are determined in a constant climate by applying and sustaining a constant moment over the central region of a test piece; both the time to failure, and the increase in deflection with time are measured.
The width and thickness of test specimens are equal to the actual dimensions of the product.
The applied stress shall be 25 % of the flexural strength determined according to EN 310.
7.5 Resistance to indentation (Brinell hardness)
According to EN 1534, initially developed for wood and parquet flooring, the resistance to indentation is determined by applying a loaded indenter (10 mm iron ball) onto the surface of the test specimen. For cellular (or foamed) WPC material the load applied to the test specimen is 1 kN, and for solid (or non-cellular) WPC material the load applied is 3 kN. The diameter of the residual indentation is used to evaluate the resistance to indentation of the test specimen. The latter may be a representative element of the product or a sample, preferably not smaller than a 50 mm x 50 mm square.
7.6 Nail and screw withdrawal
The determination of the withdrawal capacity of nails, screws and staples inserted into WPC products can be determined according to EN 13446. This test method initially developed for wood-based panels can be used for any combination of fastener type and WPC products. The specimens should preferentially be 50 mm x 50 mm square. They shall be conditioned in an atmosphere with a specified relative humidity to obtain a constant weight before testing.
7.7 Pull through resistance
EN 1383 specifies a test method for determining the resistance of timber to the head pull through of timber fasteners.
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8 Durability
8.1 Resistance to artificial weathering
8.1.1 Xenon-arc sources
EN ISO 4892-2 specifies methods for exposing specimens to xenon-arc light and water apparatus to reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end use environments to daylight (Method A), or to daylight through window glass (Method B).
The specimens are exposed to filtered xenon-arc light under controlled environmental conditions (temperature, humidity and/or moisture). Different types of xenon-arc light sources and different filter combinations may be used to meet all requirements.
EN ISO 4892-1 gives general guidance relevant to the operation of the method specified in EN ISO 4892-2 and describes general performance requirements for devices used for exposing plastics to laboratory light sources. For external use, Method A of EN ISO 4892-2 is used with the following test conditions: black-standard temperature: (60 ± 3) °C;
spray cycle:
duration of spraying: 18 min;
dry interval between spraying: 102 min.
relative humidity : (65 ± 5) %
For internal use, Method B of EN ISO 4892-2 is used with the following test conditions:
black-standard temperature: (60 ± 3) °C;
without spraying;
relative humidity : (65 ± 5) %.
NOTE A calculation method for the determination of the irradiance and exposure time to be used for artificial weathering according to EN ISO 4892-2 is given in Annex B.
The ageing of the WPC products may be assessed by:
the variation of the Charpy impact strength according to 7.1.1;
the degree of chalking according to 11.1;
the difference of colour determined in terms of the grey scale conforming to EN 20105-A03 or the difference of colour, ∆L*, ∆a*, ∆b*, ∆E* determined according to ISO 7724-1, ISO 7724-2 and ISO 7724-3,
the change of gloss according to 11.2, and/or
the peel strength resistance according to 11.3.
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8.1.2 Fluorescent UV lamps for coated WPC products
EN 927-6 specifies a method for determining the resistance of wood coatings to artificial weathering in apparatus equipped with fluorescent UV lamps, condensation and water spray.
The properties of the exposed coatings are compared with those of unexposed coatings, prepared from the same coating materials under identical conditions, or with coatings whose degradation properties are known.
The results obtained by the use of this method do not necessarily related directly to the results obtained under natural exposure conditions. The relationship between these results needs to be established before the method can be used to predict performance.
The exposure cycle of one week consists of a condensation period followed by a sub-cycle of water spray and UV A- 340 irradiation. The complete cycle lasts for 168 h (= 1 week). The cycle shall be repeated 12 times resulting in the total test exposure of 2016 h (= 12 weeks).
The panels are assessed for the following properties: flaking, cracking, blistering, chalking, adhesion, gloss, colour and general appearance. Details of the corresponding test methods are given in Annex A of EN 927-6.
8.1.3 Other test methods
Other test methods may be used to evaluate the resistance to artificial weathering provided they are standardized or publicly available.
8.2 Resistance to natural ageing
EN ISO 877 specifies methods of exposing plastics to solar radiation by direct exposure to natural weathering (Method A).
The ageing of the WPC products may be assessed by:
the variation of the Charpy impact strength according to 7.1.1;
the slip resistance according to 6.4;
the degree of chalking according to 11.1;
the difference of colour determined in terms of the grey scale conforming to EN 20105-A03 or the difference of colour, ∆L*, ∆a*, ∆b*, ∆E*, determined in according to ISO 7724-1, ISO 7724-2 and ISO 7724-3,
the change of gloss according to 11.2, and/or
The peel strength resistance according to 11.3.
8.3 Swelling and water absorption
EN 317 specifies a test method for determining the swelling in thickness of panels. The thickness of the specimens is measured after a total immersion into water at a temperature of (20 ± 2) °C during 28 days.
The water absorption is calculated by differential weighing of the test specimens.
8.4 Dimensional changes (changes in relative humidity of air)
EN 318, which specifies a test method for determining the dimensional changes in wood-based panels due to changes in the relative humidity of the air, can be used for WPC products.
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Because variations in relative humidity affect the moisture content and result in dimensional changes of WPC products, test pieces are measured after conditioning to different levels of relative humidity.
In order to obtain the true dimensional changes, this is measured between 65 % relative humidity and 85 % relative humidity in adsorption and between 65 % relative humidity and 30 % relative humidity in desorption. All tests are performed at (20 ± 2) °C.
The width of test pieces shall be the actual width of the products.
8.5 Moisture resistance
8.5.1 Under cyclic conditions
EN 321, which specifies a test method for determining the moisture resistance of wood-based panels under cyclic test conditions, can be used for WPC products.
Test pieces are exposed to three cycles, each comprising immersion in water, freezing, and drying at elevated temperature. After cyclic treatment, the test pieces are then reconditioned.
The swelling in thickness of the test pieces after the cyclic test shall be determined according to EN 317, based on the original thickness of the test piece and on the thickness of the test piece exhibited after the cyclic treatment.
The residual bending strength shall be determined according to 7.3.2.
Constant mass is considered to be reached when the results of two successive weighing operations, carried out at an interval of 48 h, do not differ by more than 0,1 % of the mass of each test piece.
The width of test pieces shall be the actual width of the products.
8.5.2 Closed environment at elevated temperature
Clause E.2 of EN ISO 9142:2003 describes the exposure to water using a damp compress. The damp-surface conditions are produced by wrapping the test specimens in cotton wool and placing them in a sealable bag. After saturating the cotton wool with water and sealing the bag, the specimens are placed in a chamber at a temperature of 70 °C for a selected exposure period (7 days preferably). The specimens are then placed in a cold chamber at - 20 °C during 15 h before the assessment of the properties.
The swelling in thickness of the test pieces after the exposure to moisture shall be determined according to EN 317, based on the original thickness of the test piece and on the thickness of the test piece exhibited after the exposure to moisture.
The appearance of the specimen shall also be examined.
8.6 Resistance against biological agents
8.6.1 Ageing procedure
NOTE EN 84[4] is a valuable tool to evaluate the effect of leaching on the efficacy of an active ingredient. However, in case of WPC materials the dense structure of the material contributes considerably to its protection. Therefore, it is recommended to subject one set of the WPC samples prior to biological testing to an ageing procedure which considers the changes in structure occurring during use. Due to a lack of experience no concrete proposal can be made for the time being.
Ageing procedures which might be used as guidance for such a purpose are described in EN 927-6 (see 8.1.2), EN 152 [5], EN 321 (see 8.5.1) or by Clemons, CM; Ibach, B 2004: Effects of processing method and moisture history on laboratory fungal resistance of wood-HDPE composites. Forest products Journal 45 (4), 50 – 57.
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8.6.2 Resistance against termites
EN 117 specifies a method for determination of the toxic value of a wood preservative against the Reticulitermes species of the European termites.
With the changes and amendments given in Annex C, the biological test method described in EN 117 can be used to determine the resistance of WPC materials against a termite attack.
The test principle is a no choice test in which a piece of WPC material is exposed to a group of termites which has to live of this piece of WPC material as single nutrient source for a defined period of time. In case of testing a type of WPC containing an insecticide also samples of the same type of WPC without biocide (so called “blanco”) shall be included in the test to determine the improvement in durability caused by the insecticide.
The test is evaluated by:
a) expressing the amount of WPC material consumed as percentage of the initial mass, and
b) reporting the score given in a visual assessment which describes the nibbling marks.
8.6.3 Resistance against wood decaying and staining fungi and micro-organisms
8.6.3.1 Resistance against basidiomycetes
ENV 12038 specifies a method to determine the durability of wood-based panel products to attack by wood-destroying basidiomycete fungi growing in pure culture.
With the changes given in Annex D, the biological test method described in ENV 12038:2002 can be used to determine the resistance of WPC materials against an attack by wood-destroying basidiomycetes.
The test principle is the exposure of a piece of WPC material to an attack of basidiomycetes which are incubated in a malt agar system serving as water reservoir as well as an additional nutrient source. The basidiomycetes are used in pure culture and depending on the species a vermiculite overlay is used to create suitable moisture conditions. In case of testing a type of WPC material containing a fungicide also a samples of the same type of WPC material without biocide (so called “blanco”) shall be included in the test to determine the improvement in durability caused by the fungicide.
8.6.3.2 Resistance against soil inhabiting soft rotting micro-fungi
CEN/TS 15083-2:2005 specifies a method of test for determining the natural durability of timber against soft rotting micro-fungi.
With the changes given in Annex E, the test method described in CEN/TS 15083-2 can be used to determine the resistance of WPC materials against an attack by soft rotting micro-fungi.
The test principle is the exposure of a piece of WPC material in unsterile soil in which the presence and virulence of soft rotting micro-fungi is proven. The soft rotting micro-fungi are used as naturally present in soil and suitable moisture conditions and temperature is maintained during the whole test period. In case of testing a type of WPC material containing a fungicide also a samples of the same type of WPC material without biocide (so called “blanco”) shall be included in the test to determine the improvement in durability caused by the fungicide.
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8.6.3.3 Resistance against discoloration caused by micro-organisms
8.6.3.3.1 Resistance against discolouring micro-fungi
ISO 16869 specifies a method for determining the effectiveness of fungistatic compounds in protecting susceptible ingredients in plastic formulations. The method demonstrates whether or not a plastic product is actively protected against an attack by mould fungi.
The test principle is the exposure of a WPC sample to a spore suspension of mould fungi in a nutrient agar system. The samples are embedded in the nutrient agar and the germination/growth of the moulds is observed over a defined period of incubation. The efficacy is assessed by observation of the presence of mould growth on top of the samples by determination of the inhibition zone around the samples. In case of testing a type of WPC material containing a fungicide also a samples of the same type of WPC material without biocide (so called “blanco”) shall be included in the test to determine the improvement in durability caused by the fungicide.
This method can be applied to WPC materials without amendments or changes.
Use at least three test pieces of 20 mm x 20 mm cut from three test specimens as defined in Clause 4, coming from three different batches of WPC materials.
8.6.3.3.2 Resistance against discolouring algae
prEN 15458 specifies a method for determining the effectiveness of algaecide compounds in paint films. This method demonstrates whether or not a paint film is actively protected against a discoloration by algae.
The test principle is the exposure of a WPC sample to a algae culture in a nutrient salt agar system. The samples are embedded in the agar and the growth of the algae is observed over a defined period of incubation. The efficacy is assessed by observation of the presence of algae growth on top of the samples by determination of the inhibition zone around the samples.
In case of testing a type of WPC containing an algaecide also a samples of the same type of WPC material without biocide (so called “blanco”) shall be included in the test to determine the improvement in durability caused by the fungicide.
This method can be applied to WPC with minor amendments and changes (use WPC samples instead of painted filter paper, consider the thickness of the WPC samples by embedding the samples into the nutrient agar.)
9 Thermal properties
9.1 Linear thermal expansion
ISO 11359-2 specifies a test method, using thermodilatometry, for the determination of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion in a solid state by thermomechanical analysis (TMA).
The change in a dimension of a test specimen is measured as a function of temperature using a TMA apparatus to generate a TMA curve from which the coefficient of linear thermal expansion can be calculated.
The temperature range for the measurements is -30 °C to 80 °C, with a relative humidity of (50 ± 10) %.
9.2 Heat reversion
This test establishes a percentage of linear shrinkage of profiles at elevated temperature. Dimensional stability is an excellent indicator of any internal or residual stresses in the profile that may have resulted from the extrusion process. In use shrinkage can lead to distortion of profiles.
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The heat reversion at 100 °C of the profile is measured in accordance with EN 479. It consists of placing a test piece of a specified length in an oven at 100 °C for 1 h. A marked length of this test piece is measured under identical conditions, before and after heating in the oven.
The heat reversion is calculated as the percentage change of the final length relative to the initial length per pair of marks.
9.3 Heat build-up
The temperature rise above ambient air temperature caused by absorption of the sun’s energy (heat build-up) may have a significant effect on the dimensional stability of WPC products. It may lead to distortion problems due to the difference of temperature between the exposed and the non exposed sides and the resulting difference in shrinkage of the product. The heat build-up is also a major factor with regard to comfort, for instance when walking barefoot on the deck or dock boards.
The heat build-up is affected by the colour, emittance, absorbance and reflectance of a product.
Annex F describes a test method to measure the temperature rise under specified conditions, relative to that of a black reference surface, useful for predicting the heat build-up under solar exposure.
10 Burning behaviour
10.1 Limit oxygen index (LOI)
EN ISO 4589-2 specifies a test method for determining the minimum concentration of oxygen, in admixture with nitrogen at ambient temperature, that will support combustion of small vertical test specimens up to 10,5 mm thick. The specimen is placed in a transparent chimney in which the oxygen/nitrogen mixture is flowing upwards. The upper end of the specimen is ignited and the subsequent burning behaviour of the specimen is observed. The minimum oxygen concentration necessary for sustaining combustion is defined as the oxygen index value.
10.2 Reaction to fire
10.2.1 Single flame source test
EN ISO 11925-2 specifies a test method that determines the ignitability of construction products through direct application of a small single-flame source to a small vertical specimen. The specimen is 250 mm long and 90 mm wide, with a maximum thickness of 60 mm. The test method is also suitable for non-planar product in which case, a 250 mm long representative specimen of the product may be tested directly.
10.2.2 Single burning item (SBI) test
In EN 13823, a test specimen, consisting of two vertical wings forming a right-angled corner, is exposed to the flames from a 30 kW burner placed at the bottom of the corner. The dimensions of test specimen are quite large: 1.5 m x 1 m for one wing, 1.5 m x 0.5 m for the other wing. The test duration is 20 min but the performance of the specimen is evaluated over the first 10 minutes of the test. The performance parameters are: heat production, lateral flame spread, smoke production and falling flaming droplets and particles.
10.2.3 Radiant heat source test (for floorings)
EN ISO 9239-1 specifies a method for assessing the wind-opposed burning behaviour and spread of flame of horizontally mounted floorings exposed to a heat flux radiant gradient in a test chamber, when ignited with pilot flames.
EN ISO 9239-1 is applicable to the measurement and description of the properties of floorings in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions. It should not be used alone to describe or appraise the
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fire hazard or fire risk of floorings under actual fire conditions. The test specimens shall be representative of the flooring, in its end use.
At 10 min intervals from the start of the test and at the flame-out time, the distances between the flame front and the zero point are measured. Any significant phenomena such as transitory flaming, melting, blistering, time and location of glowing combustion after flameout, penetration of the flame through to the substrate are observed and recorded.
11 Other properties
11.1 Degree of chalking
EN ISO 4628-6 provides pictorial reference standards for designating the degree of chalking of paint coatings. It also describes a method by which the degree of chalking is rated. In using this method, it is essential that care be taken to distinguish between true degradation products and adhering dirt, particularly when chalking is slight.
The chalking is removed from the coating under test using an adhesive tape. The chalking adhering to the tape is examined against a contrasting background (either black or white, whichever gives the greater contrast) and the degree of chalking is assessed with reference to a rating scale.
11.2 Change of gloss
EN ISO 2813 describes a method for determining the specular gloss of paint films using reflectometer geometry of 20°, 60° or 85°. This method can be used for WPC products and the 60° geometry is recommended.
11.3 Peel strength resistance
Annex G specified a test method for the determination of the peel strength of a laminated foil by measuring the force perpendicular to the profile surface at a room temperature.
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umm
ary
of th
e pr
oper
ties
and
rele
vant
test
met
hods
A su
mm
ary
of th
e pr
oper
ties
and
rele
vant
test
met
hods
is g
iven
in T
able
1.
Tabl
e 1 — ———
Pro
pert
ies
and
rele
vant
test
met
hods
Cha
ract
eris
tics
Test
met
hods
Ex
tern
al u
se
Inte
rnal
use
Phys
ical
pro
pert
ies
6.
1 D
ensi
ty
EN
ISO
118
3-1
EN
ISO
118
3-3
X X
6.
2 M
oist
ure
cont
ent
ISO
169
79
X X
6.
3 H
eat d
efle
ctio
n te
mpe
ratu
re (H
DT)
E
N IS
O 7
5-1
EN
ISO
75-
2 X
X
6.
4 C
oeffi
cien
t of f
rictio
n (fl
oor s
urfa
ces)
E
N 1
3893
X
X
Mec
hani
cal p
rope
rtie
s
7.
1 Im
pact
resi
stan
ce
Flex
ural
impa
ct
Falli
ng m
ass
impa
ct (p
rofil
es)
Sol
id (n
on-c
ellu
lar)
mat
eria
ls
Cel
lula
r mat
eria
ls
Inst
rum
ente
d pu
nctu
re im
pact
EN
ISO
179
-1/1
fU
EN
477
Ann
ex A
EN
ISO
660
3-2
X X X X
X X X X
7.
2 Te
nsile
pro
perti
es
EN
ISO
527
-1
EN
ISO
527
-2 (T
.1B
)
X X
X X
7.
3 Fl
exur
al p
rope
rties
Mat
eria
ls
Non
-load
bea
ring
prod
ucts
Load
bea
ring
prod
ucts
EN
ISO
178
EN
310
EN
789
X X X
X X X
20
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Tabl
e 1
— P
rope
rtie
s an
d re
leva
nt te
st m
etho
ds (c
ontin
ued)
Cha
ract
eris
tics
Test
met
hods
Ex
tern
al u
se
Inte
rnal
use
Mec
hani
cal p
rope
rtie
s
7.
4 C
reep
beh
avio
ur
- Fle
xura
l cre
ep
- cre
ep fa
ctor
in fl
atw
ise
bend
ing
EN
ISO
899
-2
EN
V 1
156
X X
X X
7.
5 R
esis
tanc
e to
inde
ntat
ion
(Brin
ell h
ardn
ess)
E
N 1
534
X
X
7.
6 N
ail a
nd s
crew
with
draw
al
EN
134
46
X X
X X
7.
7 P
ull t
hrou
gh re
sist
ance
E
N 1
383
X X
Dur
abili
ty
8.
1 R
esis
tanc
e to
arti
ficia
l wea
ther
ing
8.
1.1
Xeno
n-ar
c so
urce
s
- Tes
t met
hod
- Cha
rpy
impa
ct s
treng
th
- Cha
nges
in c
olou
r
- Deg
ree
of c
halk
ing
- Cha
nge
of g
loss
- Pee
l stre
ngth
resi
stan
ce
EN
ISO
489
2-2
EN
ISO
179
-1/1
fU
ISO
772
4
EN
ISO
462
8-6
EN
ISO
281
3
Ann
ex G
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
8.
1.2
Fluo
resc
ent U
V la
mps
for c
oate
d W
PC p
rodu
cts
-Tes
t met
hod
and
asse
ssm
ent
E
N 9
27-6
X
X
21
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Tabl
e 1
— P
rope
rtie
s an
d re
leva
nt te
st m
etho
ds (c
ontin
ued)
Cha
ract
eris
tics
Test
met
hods
Ex
tern
al u
se
Inte
rnal
use
Dur
abili
ty (e
nd)
8.
2 R
esis
tanc
e to
nat
ural
age
ing
- Tes
t met
hod
- Cha
rpy
impa
ct s
treng
th
- Cha
nges
in c
olou
r
- Deg
ree
of c
halk
ing
- Cha
nge
of g
loss
- Pee
l stre
ngth
resi
stan
ce
- Slip
resi
stan
ce
EN
ISO
877
EN
ISO
179
-1/1
fU
ISO
772
4
EN
ISO
462
8-6
EN
ISO
281
3
Ann
ex G
EN
138
93
X X X X X X X
8.
3 S
wel
ling
and
wat
er a
bsor
ptio
n E
N 3
17
X X
8.
4 D
imen
sion
al c
hang
es (c
hang
es in
RH
of a
ir)
EN
318
X
X
8.
5 M
oist
ure
resi
stan
ce
- Und
er c
yclic
test
con
ditio
ns
- Clo
sed
envi
ronm
ent a
t ele
vate
d te
mpe
ratu
re
EN
321
EN
ISO
914
2:20
03 -
E2
X X
X X
8.
6.2
Res
ista
nce
agai
nst t
erm
ites
EN
117
and
Ann
ex C
X
X
8.
6.3.
1 R
esis
tanc
e ag
ains
t bas
idio
myc
etes
E
NV
120
38 a
nd A
nnex
D
X
X
8.
6.3.
2 R
esis
tanc
e ag
ains
t soi
l inh
abiti
ng s
oft r
ottin
g m
icro
-fu
ngi
CE
N/T
S 1
5083
-2 a
nd
Ann
ex E
X
X
8.
6.3.
3 R
esis
tanc
e to
dis
colo
urin
g m
icro
-fung
i
Res
ista
nce
agai
nst d
isco
lour
ing
alga
e
ISO
168
69
prE
N 1
5458
X X
X X
22
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Tabl
e 1
— P
rope
rtie
s an
d re
leva
nt te
st m
etho
ds (f
inis
hed)
Cha
ract
eris
tics
Test
met
hods
Ex
tern
al u
se
Inte
rnal
use
Ther
mal
pro
pert
ies
9.
1 Li
near
ther
mal
exp
ansi
on
ISO
113
59-2
X
X
9.
2 H
eat r
ever
sion
(pro
files
) E
N 4
79
X X
9.
3 H
eat b
uild
-up
(bui
ldin
g pr
oduc
ts)
Ann
ex F
X
Bur
ning
beh
avio
ur
10
.1
Lim
it ox
ygen
inde
x (L
OI)
ISO
458
9-2
X X
10
.2
Rea
ctio
n to
fire
- Sin
gle
burn
ing
item
(SB
I) te
st
- Sin
gle
flam
e so
urce
test
- Rad
iant
hea
t sou
rce
(floo
rings
)
EN
138
23
EN
ISO
119
25-2
EN
ISO
923
9-1
X X X
X X X
Oth
ers
prop
ertie
s
11
.1
Deg
ree
of c
halk
ing
E
N IS
O 4
628-
6 X
11
.2
Cha
nge
of g
loss
E
N IS
O 2
813
X X
11
.3
Pee
l stre
ngth
resi
stan
ce
Ann
ex G
X
X
23
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Annex A (normative)
Impact resistance of cellular material profiles
A.1 Principle
The impact resistance of cellular material profiles is measured at 23 °C by striking the profile, completely supported by a plate, with a mass falling vertically from a known height onto the exposed surface.
The energy levels are classified according to the results of a series of impact tests with a striker of specified mass.
A.2 Apparatus
The impact resistance test is carried out with an impact testing machine, as described in EN 477, incorporating the following equipment:
a) a main frame, rigidly fixed in the vertical position ;
b) guide rails or a guiding tube, rigidly fixed to the main frame to guide the striker and release it to fall vertically and freely ;
c) a rigid specimen support, comprising two rounded off steel supports (200 ± 1) mm apart according to EN 477:1995, rigidly fixed to a solid foundation or to a table having a mass of more than 50 kg ;
d) a release mechanism such that the striker can fall from a height which can be adjusted up to 1500 mm, as measured from the top surface of the specimen ;
e) a striker, with a smooth hemispherical striking surface of (25 ± 0,5) mm radius; the total mass of the striker shall be adjustable with relevant additional masses to the following masses: (100 ± 1) g, (200 ± 1) g, (300 ± 2) g, (400 ± 2) g, (500 ± 2) g, (1000 ± 5) g, (1500 ± 5) g, (2000 ± 5) g or (m x 100 ± 5) g where m is an integer;
f) a flat wooden plate (e.g. plywood of a minimum 32 mm thickness ) adjusted to the geometry of the profile to support it completely when tested. Possible voids between back side of the profile and the support plate can be filled up with a soft material such as cellular rubber filler. Figure A.1 gives examples of profiles and corresponding plates.
A.3 Test specimens
Cut ten specimens, (300 ± 10) mm long, from profiles selected at random from a batch.
In the case of profiles with webs, choose the impact point approximately at the mid point between the supporting webs on the surface of the profile normally exposed, if applicable.
If the geometry of the profile clearly does not allow the impact point to be determined, the impact point and the method of installation of the specimen shall be recorded.
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If the exposed and unexposed faces of the profile are identical, mark each face and submit ten specimens to the impact resistance test on the external face.
A.1.a
A.1.b
A.1.c
A.1.d
Figure A.1 — Examples of profiles and corresponding plates
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A.4 Conditioning
The specimens shall be conditioned at (23 ± 2) °C for at least 1 h before testing.
A.5 Procedure
Submit each specimen to the following test:
set down the specimen on the supports with the extrusion direction of the test specimen perpendicular to the two rounded steel supports and the determined impact point positioned vertically to the striker ;
set up the falling height at (1 000 ± 5) mm from the top surface of the specimen ;
release the striker.
Examine the specimen and record the result as "pass" or "fail". Failure occurs when the impacted surface of the specimen splits or cracks. An unbroken dent of the impacted surface does not constitute failure.
In the case of a profile with a top layer/coating (laminated foil, lacquer-coating, co-extruded layer), delamination of the top layer shall also be considered as a failure.
A.6 Expression of results
The energy levels for the impact resistance according to the striker total mass are given in Table A.1.
The value of the impact resistance shall be coded according to Table A.1.
For each energy level, the number of failures shall not be more than 1 out of 10 when the profile is tested using the striker in accordance with Table A.1.
Table A.1 — Energy levels and codes according to the striker total mass
Striker total mass
g
Energy level
J
Code
100 01 (23,01)
200 02 (23,02)
300 03 (23,03)
400 04 (23,04)
500 05 (23,05)
1 000 10 (23,10)
1 500 15 (23,15)
2 000 20 (23,20)
m x 500 a 5xm (23,5xm)
a m is an integer.
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Annex B (informative)
Irradiance level and exposure time to be used for artificial weathering
B.1 General
This Annex, based on EN 12608 [6] describes a procedure to calculate the duration of the exposure needed to assess the resistance to moderate (M) and severe (S) climates to be used for artificial weathering.
B.2 Classification by climatic zones
Two different climatic zones M (moderate climate) and S (severe climate) for Europe are given in Table B.1.
Table B.1 — Classification of climatic zones in Europe
Moderate climate
M
Severe climate
S
Annual total solar energy a on horizontal surface < 5 GJ/m2
Average of the daily maximum temperature a of the warmest month per year
surface < 5 GJ/m2
and
< 22 °C
≥ 5 GJ/m2
or
≥ 22 °C a Values measured according the specifications of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
B.3 Calculation
B.3.1 The climatic zones are classified in terms of the annual solar energy falling on a horizontal surface and the average of the daily maximum temperature of the warmest month per year (see Table B.1).
B.3.2 For the purpose of this calculation the following assumption is made on the annual solar energy:
for moderate climate the amount of solar energy is estimated at 4 GJ/m2/year;
for severe climate the amount of solar energy is estimated at 6 GJ/m2/year.
B.3.3 In order to compare these figures with the usual practice in artificial weathering, it is necessary to consider not the total solar radiation energy as in B.3.2, but that part falling in the ultraviolet and visible regions between 300 nm to 800 nm. This is about 60 % of the total solar radiation energy. A further correction factor of 67 % is applied to allow for the fact, that not all this radiation is acting at higher summer temperatures and so will be less damaging to the effected surfaces.
The recommended irradiance levels corresponding to the range between 300 nm to 800 nm are given in Table B.2.
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Table B.2 — Recommended irradiance levels
Irradiance
GJ/m2
Radiation
Moderate climate (M) Severe climate (S)
1 year's equivalent 1,6 2,4
5 years' equivalent 8,0 12,0 B.3.4 The exposure times are given in Table B.3 for an artificial weathering apparatus having a time-averaged irradiance of IR W/m2 in the range 300 nm to 800 nm.
Table B.3 — Recommended exposure times
Exposure time
h
Radiation
Moderate climate (M) Severe climate (S)
1 year's equivalent 4,4 x 105/IR 6,6 x 105/IR
5 years' equivalent 2,2 x 106/IR 3,3 x 106/IR
Where IR = 550 W/m2, for a 5 years' equivalent radiation, the following exposure time are needed:
for a moderate climate (M): an exposure time of 4 000 h;
for a severe climate (S): an exposure time of 6 000 h.
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Annex C (normative)
Resistance of WPC materials against a termite attack
C.1 General
The test method described in EN 117 can be used to determine the resistance of WPC materials against a termite attack with the changes given in C.2 to C.7.
C.2 Change and amendments necessary to adapt EN 117
Neglect the following subclauses of EN 117:2005 which define the conditions for the treatment of solid timber: 5.2.4; 5.3.3; 5.3.5; 5.3.6; 5.3.8; 5.3.9; 5.3.10; 6; 8.1.
C.3 Change in 7.3 of EN 117:2005
Use specimens made of WPC materials as defined in Clause 4 of this document.
The test specimens shall originate from at least three production samples coming from three different batches of WPC materials.
The kind of production process shall be mentioned in the test report.
For the untreated control specimen of solid wood (see 7.5) the given requirements for the wood quality are valid, but, the samples shall have a cross cut section of 50 mm x thickness of the WPC sample (preferably 4 mm) and a length of 50 mm.
C.4 Change in 7.4 of EN 117:2005
The dimension of the test specimen of WPC shall be 50 (± 0.5) mm x 50 (± 0.5) mm x 4 50 (± 0.5) mm.
C.5 Change in 7.5 of EN 117: 2005
a) WPC specimens subject to attack by Reticulitermes; use at least 3 test specimens for each type of WPC material tested.
b) As it is in EN 117.
c) is not applicable.
C.6 Change in Clause 9 of EN 117:2005
Report the results of the visual examination for each type of WPC material.
Also record the survival rate of the workers and the presence, if any, of soldiers and/or nymphs at the end of test.
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C.7 Change in Clause 10 of EN 117:2005
Adapt the test report according to the changes as given in this annex.
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Annex D (normative)
Resistance of WPC materials against an attack by wood-destroying
basidiomycetes
D.1 General
The test method described in ENV 12038 can be used to determine the resistance of WPC materials against an attack by wood-destroying basidiomycetes with the changes given in D.2 to D.9.
D.2 Change in 7.1.1 of ENV 12038:2002
The type of production process shall be mentioned in the test report.
D.3 Change in 8.1 of ENV 12038:2002
Neglect 8.1.
D.4 Change in 8.2.1 of ENV 12038:2002
The time for conditioning of the WPC samples prior to the determination of the initial dry mass can be reduced to one week irrespective the samples have reached equilibrium moisture content or not. After conditioning determine the weight of all samples at the same time as described in ENV 12038.
Prolong the drying time (oven drying at 103 ºC) of the moisture control blocks to at least 72 h and determine the oven dry weight (m1) as described in ENV 12038.
NOTE Depending on the type of WPC material and the dimension of the samples used an equilibrium moisture content will be achieved only within several weeks to several months. Therefore in many cases the weight changes over time will be very small (< 0.05 g/24h), as it is not satisfactory to wait several months until the samples have reached the equilibrium moisture content.
D.5 Change in 8.3 of ENV 12038:2002
Sterilize also the samples foreseen to determine the water uptake (see 7.1.3 of ENV 12038:2002).
NOTE Gamma radiation can strongly affect the structure of polymers. Check carefully if the polymer of the WPC material tested is suited for gamma radiation.
D.6 Change in 8.6.3 of ENV 12038:2002
Store the moisture control samples as described, but expose the samples to determine the water uptake (see 7.1.3 of ENV 12038:2002) in sterile culture vessels containing nutrient/nutrient and vermiculite.
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D.7 Change in 8.8.2 of ENV 12038:2002
Prolong the time of the oven drying at 103 ºC to at least 72 h and determine the final dry mass (m3) as described in ENV 12038.
D.8 Change in 8.8.3 of ENV 12038:2002
Change the text as follows:
Validity of test results and moisture content
Each sample contaminated by mould shall be rejected.
Record for each type of WPC material the initial moisture content Fi determined according to 8.2.1 (of ENV 12038:2002) as well as the mean moisture content of the test samples as well as of the sterile water uptake control samples (7.1.3 of ENV 12038:2002) at the end of test determined according to 8.8.2 (of ENV 12038:2002). Record also for each WPC sample the moisture content at the end of test.
Express the moisture content of the WPC samples in relation to the dry wood content (data provided by the WPC material producer) (mcw) by the following equation:
10000) Ccontent WP dry wood %(3
32 ××
−=m
mmmcw
Express the mass loss of the WPC samples in relation to the dry wood content (data provided by the WPC producer) (mlw) by the following equation:
10000) Ccontent WP dry wood %(0
30 ××
−=m
mmmlw
In case of mass losses < 3 % and a moisture content mcw < 25 % of the WPC material test specimens the results shall not be used to determine the durability against an attack by wood decaying basidiomycetes.
NOTE The case of mass losses < 3% and a moisture content mcw < 25 % of the WPC test specimens prove a high resistance of the WPC material against wetting. This property provides protection against decay by wood destroying basidiomycetes as long it is maintained.
D.9 Change in Clause 11 of ENV 12038:2002
Adapt the report accordingly
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Annex E (normative)
Resistance of WPC materials against an attack by soft rotting micro-
fungi
E.1 General
The test method described in CEN/TS 15083-2:2005 can be used to determine the resistance of WPC materials against an attack by soft rotting micro-fungi with the changes given in E.2 to E.7.
E.2 Change in Clause 6 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005
Neglect 6.1 to 6.3.
E.3 Change in 6.4 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005
The test specimens shall be prepared from the WPC material as defined in Clause 4 of this document.
The samples shall be sawn, milled or sanded (grade 120 to grade 240) at all faces.
The kind of production process shall be mentioned in the test report.
E.4 Change in 6.5 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005
The WPC material test specimens are divided into:
e1 Test specimens:
These are the test specimens of the WPC material tested subjected to attack by the soft rotting micro-fungi. Use at least six specimens obtained from a minimum of three batches.
e2 Moisture content test specimens:
These are the test specimens to determine the moisture content of the WPC tested prior to biological testing. Use at least six specimens from at least three batches.
E.5 Change in 7.1.2 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005
Place the specimens (e1) and (e2) in a conditioning room. The time for conditioning of the WPC material samples prior to the determination of the initial dry mass can be reduced to one week irrespective the samples have reached equilibrium moisture content or not. After conditioning determine the weight of all samples at the same time as described in CEN/TS 15083-2.
Prolong the drying time (oven drying at 103 °C) of the moisture control blocks to at least 72 h and determine the oven dry weight (m1) as described in CEN/TS 15083-2.
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NOTE Depending on the type of WPC material and the dimension of the samples used an equilibrium moisture content will be achieved only within several weeks to several months. Therefore in many cases the weight changes over time are very small (< 0.05g/24h) and it is not suitable to wait several months until the samples reached the equilibrium moisture content.
E.6 Change in 7.2 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005
Follow the instructions given for hardwoods given in 7.5.1 and 7.6.1 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005.
NOTE The determination of the loss of MOE might provide very valuable information, however, due to the lack of knowledge on the influence of the moisture content on the MOE of WPC the method described in CEN/TS 15083-2 for softwoods seems not to be applicable. The increase of the moisture content to a level above 30 % would require unacceptable long immersion periods in case of WPC material.
E.7 Change in 7.6.1 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005
Prolong the drying time to at least 72 h.
Record for each type of WPC material the initial moisture content determined according to 7.1.2 of CEN/TS 15083-2:2005 as well as the mean moisture content of the test specimens (e1) at the end of test.
Record also for each WPC material sample the moisture content at the end of test.
Express the moisture content of the WPC material samples in relation to the dry wood content (data provided by the WPC material producer) (mcw) by the following equation:
10000) Ccontent WP dry wood %(3
32 ××
−=m
mmmcw
Express the mass loss of the WPC material samples in relation to the dry wood content (data provided by the WPC producer) (mlw) by the following equation:
10000) Ccontent WP dry wood %(0
30 ××
−=m
mmmlw
NOTE The case of mass losses < 3 % and a moisture content mcw < 25 % of the WPC test specimens prove a high resistance of the WPC material against wetting. This property provide protection against decay by wood destroying basidiomycetes as long this high resistance against wetting is maintained.
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Annex F (normative)
Predicting heat build-up in WPC products
F.1 Scope
This test method covers prediction of the increase in temperature above that of ambient air due to the amount of energy absorbed by a specimen from the sun, relatively to a black reference. It is applicable to specimens taken from WPC products as well as to specimens prepared from WPC materials.
F.2 Principle
A specimen cut from a WPC product or prepared from a WPC material is heated under an infrared reflective heat lamp in specified conditions. The rise in temperature measured on the unexposed surface of the specimen is compared to the one measured under the same conditions on a black control specimen of similar shape. The predicted maximum heat build-up is calculated by multiplying an experimental reference temperature rise under real solar exposure by the ratio calculated according to the method described in this annex.
NOTE This test method gives a relative heat build-up compared to black under defined conditions and does not predict actual application temperature of the product in real situations.
F.3 Apparatus
The apparatus comprises a heat lamp placed above an open box. The temperature is measured with a thermocouple and recorded during the test duration. The elements of the testing device are:
An internally thermally insulated box with the following approximate inner dimensions:
length : 500 mm
width : 300 mm
height : 300 mm
The box will be open on two faces: the top face and one small lateral face. The box will be equipped with any means allowing the vertical alignment of the test specimen with the heat lamp.
A white infrared heat lamp having a nominal power of approx. but not less than 250 W. The distance between the lowest part of the downward oriented lamp and the bottom of the box will be 400 mm.
A thermocouple to place under the test specimen, inserted through a small hole in the bottom of the box above which the specimen is placed. The thermocouple shall be intimately contacting the unexposed lower surface of the test or control specimen.
A temperature recorder device
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F.4 Test specimen
The test specimen, taken from a WPC product or on purpose made of a WPC material by any suitable preparation process will have the following approximate dimensions:
length : 75 mm
width : between 50 mm and 75 mm
thickness : 2,5 mm
NOTE In case of a specimen taken from a WPC product, machining, if any, will not be applied to the surface to be exposed to the lamp.
A similar size control specimen shall be prepared from any WPC material containing at least 25 g.kg-1 furnace type carbon black, well dispersed and without any other pigmentation.
The dimensions of the test specimens and the control specimen shall not differ by more than 5 % for length and width and 0,5 mm for the thickness.
F.5 Procedure
Ensure that the ambient air temperature of the laboratory will be maintained within ± 2 °C range and record the mean value.
Place the test specimen underneath the lamp so as to vertically align their respective centres. Fixing means such as tapes may be used between the specimen, the box and the thermocouple to ensure an efficient contact between the thermocouple and the specimen.
Record the temperature of the specimen, before starting the test. It shall be as close as possible to the ambient air temperature and shall not differ by more than 3 °C.
Switch on the lamp and record the temperature. The test duration shall be at least one hour or more in case a constant equilibrium temperature is not observed.
Record the equilibrium temperature and the time to reach it. Switch off the lamp and prepare the box for the next measurement, notably lowering back the box temperature to the ambient air one.
Any further calculation will be based on the average of three measurements, preferably on at least three different test specimens.
Two control tests will be performed in the same conditions, one before and the other one at the end of a series of tests that shall not be more than nine measurements.
F.6 Expression of results
The temperature rise is given by the following formula:
iM TTjT −=∆ )(exp
where:
)(exp jT∆ is the temperature rise above ambient temperature in the laboratory under the heat lamp, with j = s for test specimen and j = c for control specimen,
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MT is the maximum temperature of the specimen,
iT is the ambient air temperature in the laboratory.
The heat build-up is given by the following formula:
rTcTsT
T ∆∆∆
=∆ .)()(
exp
exp
where:
T∆ is the predicted heat build-up of the specimen due to heating by the sun,
rT∆ is the experimental heat build-up for a black control specimen under sun exposure, equalling 50 °C for horizontal position (e.g. decking) or 41 °C for vertical position (e.g. vertical siding).
All variables are expressed in °C.
F.7 Test report
The test report shall include the following information:
a) complete identification of the specimen tested;
b) ambient air temperature;
c) average temperature rise above ambient air temperature for the black control specimen;
d) average time to reach the equilibrium temperature for the black control specimen;
e) average temperature rise above ambient air temperature for the specimen tested;
f) average time to reach the equilibrium temperature for the specimen tested;
g) predicted heat build-up for horizontal position;
h) predicted heat build-up for vertical position;
i) identification of the laboratory or the operator;
j) date of testing.
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Annex G (normative)
Determination of the peel strength
G.1 Principle
The peel strength of the laminated foil is measured perpendicular to the profile surface at a room temperature.
G.2 Apparatus
Peel strength apparatus as shown in Figure G.1.
Key 1 profile sample 2 laminated foil
Figure G.1 — Peel strength apparatus
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G.3 Test samples
Four samples (20 ± 1) mm wide and at least 100 mm long are cut from the surface of the laminated profile. Notching along the cut edge shall be avoided. Laminated foil (for clamping purposes) of approximately 50 mm long is separated from the substrate (profile) in a suitable procedure. The same may be achieved during lamination by using contact blocking material (e.g. polyethylene foil) between the profile and the laminated foil.
If only finished profiles are available, prepare samples as follows:
a) Cut the sight surface of the profile from the core over the entire width of the profile. Cut the separated sight surface into 200 mm long test pieces.
b) Place a (200 ± 2) mm x (20 ± 1) mm metal template lengthways on the sight surface of the sample, midway between the sides.
c) Using a blade, cut through the laminated foil along the long sides of the template.
d) Mill away the back wall of the profile surface to a thickness of 0,5 mm along a line midway between the sample short sides and side at right angle to its longitudinal axis. Be careful not to cut into the product too deep so as to avoid damaging the laminated foil. Next mill away (also to a thickness of 0,5 mm) the entire back wall of the sample along the two lines cut in the laminated foil from one end of the sample as far as the transverse line. Break off the material on either of the 100 mm x 20 mm milled by gently bending the sample.
G.4 Conditioning and test temperature
Condition the samples during 72 h after lamination at normal conditions.
G.5 Procedure
The sample produced is placed in the testing machine as shown in Figure G.1.
In the foils breaks before peeling, the tensile strength at break of the foil shall be reported.
The same method shall be used for testing samples after weathering.
The peel test may be performed 72 h after the profile has been laminated.
Results shall be expressed in N/mm.
G.6 Test report
The test report shall include the following information:
a) reference to Annex G of CEN/TS 15534-1; all details necessary for complete identification of the test sample;
b) number of test samples;
c) width of the samples in millimetres (mm);
d) type of separation of the laminated foil;
e) peeled length in millimetres (mm);
CEN/TS 15534-1:2007
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f) individual peel strength values in N/mm;
g) if the foil breaks, the tensile strength at break of the foil in newtons (N);
h) any factors which may have affected the results, such as any incidents or any operating details not specified in this annex;
i) the date of the test.
CEN/TS 15534-1:2007
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Bibliography
[1] CEN/TS 15534-2, Wood-plastics composites (WPC) — Part 2: Characterisation of WPC materials
[2] CEN/TS 15534-3, Wood-plastics composites (WPC) — Part 3: Characterisation of WPC products
[3] EN 322, Wood-based panels — Determination of moisture content
[4] EN 84, Wood preservatives — Accelerated ageing of treated wood prior to biological testing — Leaching procedure
[5] EN 152 (all parts), Test methods for wood preservatives — Laboratory method for determining the protective effectiveness of a preservative treatment against blue stain in service
[6] EN 12608, Unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors — Classification, requirements and test methods
CEN/TS 15534-1:2007
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