Lab Test Reports

SURFACE WEARING TEST

 
SCOPE: This test measures the ability of the surface of high-pressure decorative laminates (HPDL) to resist abrasive wear-through of the decorative layer.

TEST PROCEDURE:
1. Clean the surface of the test specimen with 70% isopropyl alcohol and allow it to dry. Weigh the specimen to the nearest milligram(W1) if the rate of wear value is desired.
2. Apply fresh sandpaper to the abrader wheels. Fasten the test specimen to the turntable of the number of revolution.
3. Inspect the specimen every 25 revolutions until the initial wear point (IP) is reached. Record the number of revolutions.

The initial wear point is defined as follows:

" Printed patterns - that point at which a clearly recognizable part of the print has been removed in 4 quadrants of the specimen, and the base paper is exposed.
" Solid colors - that point at which the abrading wheel around its entire path.
" Decorative inclusions in the overlay - that point at which the decorative inclusions are completely removed the full width of the abrading wheel around its entire path.

4. Restart the machine and run it until the final wear point (FP) is reached. Record the number of revolutions. Weigh the specimen to the nearest milligram (W2) if the rate of wear value is desired.

The final wear point is defined as follows:

• Printed patterns - that point at which the printed pattern is completely removed, exposing the base paper the full width of the abrading wheel around its entire path.
• Solid colors - that point at which the color layer is completely removed, exposing the sub layer the full width of the abrading wheel around its entire path.
• Decorative inclusions in the overlay - that point at which the decorative inclusions are completely removed the ful1 width of the abrading wheel around its entire path.
• Replace the 12.7 mm sandpaper strips every 500 revolutions.

TEST CALCULATION: The wear resistance is defined as the algebraic sum of the initial point average of the samples and the final point average of the samples divided by 2 and multiplied by the correction factor.
Example:

Wear Resistance = (600 + 750)/2 * 0.90
Wear Resistance = 607. 5
607.5 rounded to the nearest 50 is 600
Wear Resistance = 600 cycles

TEST REPORT: The wear resistance shall be reported as the average of 3 specimens rounded to the nearest 50 revolutions.

Top

CLEAN ABILITY / STAIN TEST

SCOPE: This test measures both the ease of clean ability and stain resistance of high-pressure decorative laminate (HPDL) by common household substances.

TEST REAGENTS
Reagents shall be kept in closed containers to avoid change in concentration. Perishable food items shall be kept refrigerated.

-Distilled water
-50:50 volume solution of SD-3A ethyl alcohol and water
-Household ammonia (non-sudsing)
-Citric acid solution (water containing 10 percent citric acid)
-Tomato catsup
-Shoe polish



TEST PROCEDURE:

A. Using the commercial cleaner and water, clean the surface of the test specimen with a clean, soft, white cloth. Rinse the specimen thoroughly and dry using another clean, soft, white cloth. Allow to dry completely at a temperature of 23°c to 25°c.

B. Position the test specimen on a flat, level, horizontal plane.

C. Place a 6 to 12 mm spot of each test reagent upon the surface of the test specimen. As each individual test reagent is deposited, place one of the glass covers, concave side down, over the test reagent. Next, move the glass cover gently while in contact with the surface of the material undergoing testing until the test reagent is both under and outside the glass cover. The entire circular rim of the glass cover shall be wetted by the test reagent. The test specimen shall able marked so that each test reagent is identified.

D. The test specimen shall stand undisturbed for 16 to 24 hours. Remove the glass covers and subject the test specimen to the cleaning procedures to remove the staining reagents.

E. After each cleaning procedure place the sample, without pre-inspection, on a table and then view it at an eye to specimen distance of approximately 750 to 900 mm and at an angle of approximately 45°c to 75°c from all directions. Direct sunlight or other angle light sources, which will accentuate or minimize the effect, shall be avoided.

F. CLEANING PROCEDURES:

1) Flush the surface with tap water and wipe gently with the sponge moistened with water. Blot the test specimen dry with a clean, soft, while cloth. If the test reagent is removed by this procedure it shall be graded "0" if any stains remain, proceed to 2.
2) Wet the test specimen surface with the commercial cleaner. Moisten the cellulose sponge with tap water and place a 1 kilogram (2.20 lbs) weight on its top. Push the weighted sponge back and forth without downward pressure for 25 cycles. Rinse the test specimen with tap water and wipe dry using a clean, soft, white cloth. If the test reagent is removed by this step it shall be graded (1). If any stains remain, proceed to 3.
3) Wet the test specimen surface with the commercial cleaner and add baking soda to achieve a paste consistency. Using a stiff nylon bristle brush, scrub the remaining areas where staining reagents can still be observed for 25 cycles. The specimen shall not be rubbed so as to permanently mar the surface finish. Rinse the test specimen with tap water and wipe dry using a clean, soft, white cloth. If the test reagent is removed by this procedure it shall be graded (2). If any stains remain, proceed to 4.
4) Using acetone ball saturated with the nail polish remover, rub the stain gently for up to two minutes. Rinse the specimen with tap water and wipe dry using a clean, soft, white cloth. If the test reagent is removed by this procedure it shall be graded (3). If any stains remain, proceed to 5.
5) Place acetone ball saturated with hypochlorite bleach on the stain, and allow it to remain in contact for a period of two minutes. Rinse the specimen with tap water and wipe dry using a clean, soft white cloth. If the test reagent is removed by this procedure it shall be graded (4)
6) If any test reagent remains visible after 5, the specimen shall be graded (5)

TEST REPORT:
The cleanability shall be reported as follows:

1. Add the results for each of the 15 stains. The range shall be 0 through 75. A typical example is shown below.

The stain resistance shall be reported as one of the following:

• No effect - all stain reagents removed with no impairment to surface appearance. Any change in gloss due to the cleaning procedure is permitted.
• Moderate effect - a difficult to perceive stain visible from all angles and directions. Any change in gloss due to the cleaning procedure is permitted.
• Severe effect - any easy to perceive stain or disturbed surface visible from all angles and directions.

List the reagent(s) which caused moderate or severe effect.