SEDL / STP / STP691-EB / STP36116S

Accelerated Weathering Test for Glass-Fiber Reinforced Polyester (GRP) Sheets

Yamasaki, RS
Research officers Building Materials Section, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.

Blaga, A
Research officers Building Materials Section, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1980

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Abstract

With the development of GRP's of improved durability to weathering it has become necessary to devise accelerated weathering tests that permit assessment of their performance and durability within a reasonable time. The new artificial weathering procedure subjects GRP materials to a cycle of 2 h xenon arc radiation (twice the intensity used in the previously reported cycle of 4 h radiation and 4 h cold water spray) and 0.67 h cold water spray. Exposure of fire-retardant, non-gel-coated, and conventional GRP sheets induced surface degradation similar to that produced by both the 4-4 cycle and outdoor exposure in a considerably shorter time. The acceleration rate was 2.0 to 3.5 (compared with the 4-4 cycle) and 5 to 30 (compared with outdoors).