Ensuring the durability and performance of polyester powder coatings is crucial for meeting the demands of architectural applications. Reliable weathering testing plays a key role in evaluating resistance to environmental factors such as UV exposure, moisture, and temperature fluctuations. However, inconsistencies in accelerated weathering test results can hinder the ability to make informed decisions about product performance and longevity. Identifying a dependable testing solution is essential for maintaining product quality, customer satisfaction, and industry credibility.
Overview
DSM Resins, based in the Netherlands, manufactures polyester powder coatings for architectural applications. Their customers, primarily in the building and construction industry, demand high-performance coatings capable of withstanding outdoor environments across diverse climates and conditions.
With over 60 years of production experience and more than 30 years of weathering test data, DSM focuses on two primary degradation types: colour change and gloss loss. Their durable coatings are designed for longevity, with evaluations typically spanning 10 years. To maintain quality, DSM performs rigorous accelerated testing for new formulations before submitting them to Florida for inclusion in their Outdoor Testing Programme. This comprehensive approach supports their ability to offer a 10-year warranty and ensures high customer satisfaction, which DSM considers invaluable.
Problem Statement
DSM faced significant challenges with their previous purchase of three fluorescent UV chambers from a Q-Lab competitor. The tests, conducted per ASTM G154 for over 500 hours, aimed to identify gloss loss exceeding 50% as the critical failure mode. This standard is widely recognised for evaluating architectural and steel coatings.
However, despite being housed in the same laboratory, the chambers produced inconsistent and unreliable results for both gloss loss and colour measurements. Over a three-year period, the manufacturer's repair representative failed to resolve these issues, undermining DSM’s confidence in the equipment and its results.
Testing Description and Results
Q-Lab seized the opportunity to collaborate with DSM, offering a solution to their accelerated weathering testing needs. After their prior experience, DSM sought assurance that QUV accelerated weathering testers could deliver the stability, comparability, and consistency that their existing equipment had failed to provide.
To prove the performance of the QUV testers, Q-Lab conducted a 500-hour test using three QUV/se machines. DSM provided brown and white sample coatings, expecting the darker sample to show faster gloss degradation than the lighter one. DSM also specified their expected gloss loss values and timescales.
Three new QUV/se testers were set up at Q-Lab’s European Accelerated Lab, where the samples were tested under identical conditions. Regular evaluations were shared with DSM throughout the testing period. The results demonstrated that all three testers produced consistent, comparable data well within the parameters set by DSM. The findings exceeded DSM’s expectations, leading them to purchase the tested units.
Benefits of Testing
Since adopting Q-Lab’s QUV testers, DSM has achieved consistent gloss and colour results, bolstering their confidence in their accelerated and outdoor testing programmes. This integration enables DSM to screen new formulations quickly in the lab, refining their portfolio before committing to long-term outdoor tests.
Following this successful trial, DSM expanded their Q-Lab equipment inventory to include the QUV/Spray/RP, two Q-SUN Xe-3-HS testers, and a Q-FOG CRH600 chamber. DSM values Q-Lab as a trusted partner, recognising their ability to understand customer needs and deliver tailored solutions.
By using internationally recognised QUV weathering testers, DSM has enhanced their reputation for reliability and quality. Key benefits include:
- Stable and consistent test results.
- Improved risk reduction and decision-making capabilities.
- Strengthened customer satisfaction through durable product performance.
DSM recognises that investing in reliable weathering testing is essential to maintaining their reputation for high-quality, long-lasting coatings. By incorporating QUV testers into their testing programme, they have strengthened their ability to develop and validate new products with confidence. The improved consistency and accuracy of their test results provide valuable insights that help mitigate potential product failures, ensuring their coatings meet the demanding expectations of the architectural industry. This proactive approach to testing allows DSM to stay ahead of market challenges and continue delivering superior solutions to their customers.
To discover how weathering testing can benefit your business and products, please get in touch or fill out the enquiry form below.
