The performance of Duralight
®
Owing to its composition and in particular to it having the acrylic PMMA as a basic substance, Duralight
®
has superior characteristics
and performance levels that make it ideal for uses that require durability, resistance to wear and total safety.
1 Physical and mechanical resistance.
Duralight
®
is highly resistant to shocks, scratches, abrasions, wear and stresses which are typical in everyday use, especially in
the bathroom. The resistance to shocks and abrasions of an acrylic-based compound is much higher than (practically double)
that of any other polyester-based compound.
Constancy Test: Breaking, bending and stretching stresses IO10C23, UNI EN ISO 178-98, UNI EN ISO 527-1
Breaking and bending stress
(N/mm
2
)
Duralight
®
50.27
Polyester-based
compound
38.94
Surface Hardness (Barcol) test IO10C212, UNI 4278, D2583-95
Hardness is a value that indicates the plastic deformability of a
material, and is defined as resistance to permanent deformation.
Hardness tests determine the resistance offered by a material
against being penetrated by another material.
Barcol hardness
Duralight
®
60.0
Polyester-based
compound
58.0
Abrasion Resistance test UNI ISO 9352
Test that determines the resistance of the material to wear. After
500 revolutions on five 10x10 mm samples it is measured by the
loss of mass. Duralight
®
records a lower loss of mass than that
of the best polyester-based compound, and is therefore more
resistant to abrasion.
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Breaking stress on stretching
(N/mm
2
)
Duralight
®
76.91
Taber abrasion (500 cycles)
loss of weight in mg
Polyester-based
compound
Duralight
®
421.7
Polyester-based
compound
544.3
52.72
2 Durability over time
Duralight
®
is extremely resistant to exposure to heat up to 100°C and to UV rays: so even if it is exposed to natural or artificial light
(glass, near windows, etc.) for a long time, it will not yellow and will not undergo colour changes. In this respect, its performance is
absolutely superior to polyester-based compound materials which tend inevitably to yellow over time.
Ageing test of products with laboratory light sources for 1,000-1,200h (Xeno test in conditions of humidity) IO10C220, UNI EN ISO 4892-1
The purpose of this test is to subject the samples to exposure to laboratory light sources in controlled conditions for 1,000-1,200h.
This method measures irradiation on the surface of the sample comparing the exposure times.
The chromatic variation of the sample subjected to UV is measured with respect to a standard.
Duralight
®
(ageing comparison test 1000 h before and after)
Polyester-based compound
(ageing comparison test 1000 h before and after)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
UV ageing
250
500
750
1000
Ageing time (h)
3 Chemical resistance, hygiene, ease of cleaning
Duralight
®
is non-porous and cannot be attacked by mould and bacteria. A non-porous surface also reduces dirt and limescale deposits
to a minimum. It is also stain-resistant and resistant to the majority of acids. It can be wiped clean with a soft damp cloth
and some bathroom cleaners, preferably creams. Polyester-based surfaces on the other hand are porous and therefore more difficult to
clean, and some detergents can dull their surface.
Surface resistance to cigarettes test UNI9241
The effect of a lit cigarette resting on the surface is assessed for the time taken to burn 2 cm of the cigarette.
Duralight
®
Polyester-based compound
Observations:
Colour change and/or evident
Observations:
Colour change and/or evident
burns but not extended over the
and permanent burns
entire test zone,
extended over the entire test zone.
removable with sponge and bleach.
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