With global warming on the rise, extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent. Just this week, a deadly heatwave struck Europe and the temperature was as high as 45 degree Celsius in some regions. We all know this is going to be damaging to your outdoor applications, but what more can you do?
When it comes to assessing product durability, extreme weathering tests are essential as a tool for evaluation. Particularly for outdoor applications, extreme weather conditions have detrimental impact on the mechanical properties of the coatings. As such, to be identified as a high-performance coating, it has to go through harsh weather conditions. However, there are often challenges faced while trying to mimic the same aggressive outdoor conditions for weathering tests
The Challenge of Ensuring Product Resilience
The challenge for manufacturers is to ensure that their products can withstand these extreme conditions. Assessing product durability through extreme weathering tests is crucial, yet replicating such aggressive outdoor environments in a controlled testing setting poses significant difficulties. For coatings, particularly those used in outdoor applications, it’s essential to demonstrate their resilience to be classified as high-performance materials. Without rigorous testing, these products risk failing in real-world conditions, leading to costly repairs and dissatisfied customers
How Decoral America Ensured Their Coatings' Durability
Partnering with Q-Lab for Reliable Testing
Decoral America, a Florida-based subsidiary of Decoral, an Italian company specializing in decorative coating systems, faced this challenge head-on. They aimed to have their product classified as a “High Performance Material” by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) to unlock new business opportunities. To achieve this, they needed to pass stringent weathering tests.
Decoral chose Q-Lab’s Florida outdoor testing services for their evaluations. Q-Lab Corporation, a global provider of material durability testing products since 1956, offered the expertise and facilities required. Decoral was already familiar with Q-Lab's quality through their Q-SUN xenon arc tester, making them a trusted partner for this endeavor.
Testing Description and Results
Decoral commissioned a five-year outdoor study at Q-Lab’s Homestead, FL facility. The test involved a south-facing 45° exposure to meet AAMA 2604 requirements. Twelve metal panels coated with Decoral’s wood-grain finish—their flagship product—were evaluated. Q-Lab conducted color, gloss, and visual evaluations (assessing dirt, mildew, chalk, and erosion) according to the test standards. The results were exceptional: zero failures and minimal fading, discoloration, and gloss loss.
