Sun Load Testing
How well do walls made with Azdel Onboard® composite handle extreme heat?
Not All Composites Are Created Equal
Among the numerous tests conducted, the Sun Load test and its following Flat-Wise Tensile Test stand out as key evaluations of our composite’s performance. The Sun Load Test is an accelerated test intended to stress the Gold Bond far beyond what it would experience in natural conditions to ensure that it remains intact and strong even after extreme heat exposure.
The gold bond is the outermost glue layer between the fiberglass and its substrate, and is critical to a wall’s longevity.
Cross-section of typical sidewall
View of Sun Load Test from rear of IR lamps.
Test Details:
To simulate the effect of intense sunlight over time, we focused an infra-red lamp on the center of the exterior wall of each sample as pictured.
We maintained a steady fluctuation between extreme heat and ambient temperature, and ran at specific intervals and a set number of cycles.
After the Sun Load Test stresses the bond and materials, we subject those samples to another test, called the Flat-Wise Tensile (FWT) test, to quantify the remaining strength of both the wall as a whole and the gold bond itself.
Before reading more about the FWT test, check out the results below from one Sun Load Test conducted which illustrates the superior performance of Azdel composite.
Azdel Composite Outperforms the Competition in Sun Load Test
Sun Load Test: 2.7mm
Left – Azdel Right – Alternative
Details:
In a series of Sun Load tests we compared sidewalls constructed with Azdel RVX 2.7 and RVZ 4.7 with those made using another composite. The construction was identical except for the composites. After testing, the samples were cut to reveal the center cross-section of each piece where the heat would do the most damage.
The alternate samples experienced significant heat damage to the foam through the outer skin. Through melting and shrinking, these samples were left with large cavities in the walls while warping the skins significantly more. The Azdel samples held up much better in the extreme heat with little noticeable effect.
This process was performed on multiple samples with similar results. This left us with little doubt that Azdel Onboard composite is the superior choice compared to other composites when it comes to insulating from heat exposure.
The real proof is in the data. See the results below!
Sun Load Test: 4.7mm
Left – Azdel Right – Alternative
Azdel Performance Proven and Validated
To learn more about the Flat-Wise Tensile Test, we welcome you to visit that page. In the meantime, the FWT test results shown below reflect samples tested after the Sun Load Test explained above.
Azdel Shines After Sun Load Test!
We tested Ambient (unaffected, untested) samples, Skin samples, and complete Wall samples by measuring the force (Newtons) required to separate the halves of the samples.
The goal is to ensure that the bonds, especially the Gold Bond, remain strong and intact, to in turn ensure long lasting performance in the walls.
In each instance, the Azdel samples outperformed the alternative composite. The findings are consistent with the perceived results of the Sun Load test, and validate that Azdel Onboard composite is the superior choice for long-lasting laminated wall performance, even in extreme conditions!
