Chemical, light and fire durability of membranes

Customarily used membrane materials show good chemical resistance even in the severe conditions of an industrial environment. Hydrolysis and alkali resistance are decisive for ageing resistance. 

Textile membranes are exposed not only to mechanical stresses but also to various environmental influences. The main damaging influences are temperature, humidity, solar irradiation, noxious industrial gases, ozone, dust, salts and micro-organisms. These influences impair the functional properties, performance and life-span of the membranes. DIN EN ISO 4892 standard describes the basics for these tests. It is expected that textile membranes should last for decades without their properties and performance being compromised. However, every year many materials break down due to severe environmental influences and cause damage worth millions of euros. 

Polymer Thermal degradation Photo-oxidation Ozone 

Light fastness can be determined by the following test norms  

The evaluation of light fastness is made on a grey-scale for assessing the change of colour (ISO 105-A2) or by colour measurement (ISO 105-A05). 

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