COST E 18 – Contact Proforma

Special Equipment: Artificial weathering devices (several wheels and QUV, Global UV test system), natural exposure site. UV-visible spectrophotometer, IR spectrophotometer linked with a IR microscope, thermal analysis equipment (DSC), fluorescence microscope, chromatographical equipment, goniometer,…. Improvement of durability of coated wood (especially for transparent coatings) Study of the wood-coating interface. Pre-treatment of wood to improve the performance of the wood/coating system. Test methods and performance assessment. the wood/finish interface • Role of the primer • Influence of the wood species on coating behaviour and durability (extractives, dimensional changes..) • Service life prediction • Correlation natural weathering/artificial weathering Supply Chain Benefits: Knowledge of wood and coating parameters contributing to a better performance. Improved service life of wood coated systems. Title: A reliable artificial weathering method for wood finishes-"ARWOOD" (European) Abstract: Duration 1996-2000 Accelerated weathering plays an important part in the development of new finishing systems. It makes it possible to evaluate product performances much more quickly than with natural weathering. But there is no standardized method in existence which is applicable to the wood surface. The aim of this study, conducted at the request of the WG2 working group, responsible for outdoor finishes for wood of the CEN TC 139, is thus the development of the accelerated weathering method for wood finishes. The development of the test itself must comply with a particular economic criterion-to wit, the use of a device that is accessible to small and medium-sized companies. This is why the studies have been directed at cycles using fluorescent lights which have, moreover, turned out to be effective in other industrial sectors (steel, plastics). Based on the experience of the different partners, several artificial weathering cycles have been tested on a limited number of finishing systems, in tandem with natural weathering tests carried out at seven sites in Europe On completion of these tests, one cycle was singled out, and re-tested by several partners in order to assess its reproducibility, which was considered good, even though different sources of variations were identified (sampling, test method, ageing parameters). The definition and respect of a strict testing procedure should allow for the reduction of these variations. The studies have been pursued to refine the method by broadening, in particular, the number of finishes and wood surfaces used. At the end of these research projects, a standard proposal will be drawn up and presented to the CEN/TC 139/WG2. Title: Industrial joinery: state of …