CEN/TS 15534-1:2007

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2007
Lesno-polimerni kompoziti (WPV) - 1. del: Preskusne metode za karakterizacijo
WPC materialov in proizvodov
Wood-plastics composites (WPC) - Part 1: Test methods for characterisation of WPC
materials and products
Holz-Polymer-Werkstoffe (WPC) - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren für die Beschreibung von WPC-
Werkstoffen und -Erzeugnissen
Composites bois-plastiques (WPC) - Partie 1 : Méthodes d'essai pour la caractérisation
des matériaux WPC et des produits en WPC
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 15534-1:2007
ICS:
79.060.01 /HVQHSORãþHQDVSORãQR Wood-based panels in
general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 15534-1
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
May 2007
ICS 79.060.01
English Version
Wood-plastics composites (WPC) - Part 1: Test methods for
characterisation of WPC materials and products
Composites bois-plastiques (WPC) - Partie 1 : Méthodes Holz-Polymer-Werkstoffe (WPC) - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren für
d'essai pour la caractérisation des matériaux WPC et des die Beschreibung von WPC-Werkstoffen und -
produits en WPC Erzeugnissen
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 29 December 2006 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2007 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 15534-1:2007: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword.4
Introduction .5
1 Scope .6
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions .8
4 Test specimens.8
5 Conditioning.9
6 Physical properties.9
6.1 Density .9
6.2 Moisture content.9
6.3 Heat deflection temperature (HDT) .10
6.4 Coefficient of friction.10
7 Mechanical properties.10
7.1 Impact resistance.10
7.1.1 Flexural impact.10
7.1.2 Falling mass impact .10
7.1.3 Puncture impact.11
7.2 Tensile properties.11
7.3 Flexural properties.11
7.3.1 Materials .11
7.3.2 Non-load bearing products.11
7.3.3 Load bearing products.11
7.4 Creep behaviour.12
7.4.1 Materials .12
7.4.2 Products .12
7.5 Resistance to indentation (Brinell hardness) .12
7.6 Nail and screw withdrawal .12
7.7 Pull through resistance.12
8 Durability .13
8.1 Resistance to artificial weathering.13
8.1.1 Xenon-arc sources.13
8.1.2 Fluorescent UV lamps for coated WPC products.14
8.1.3 Other test methods.14
8.2 Resistance to natural ageing.14
8.3 Swelling and water absorption.14
8.4 Dimensional changes (changes in relative humidity of air).14
8.5 Moisture resistance .15
8.5.1 Under cyclic conditions .15
8.5.2 Closed environment at elevated temperature.15
8.6 Resistance against biological agents.15
8.6.1 Ageing procedure .15
8.6.2 Resistance against termites .16
8.6.3 Resistance against wood decaying and staining fungi and micro-organisms .16
9 Thermal properties .17
9.1 Linear thermal expansion .17
9.2 Heat reversion.17
9.3 Heat build-up.18
10 Burning behaviour.18
10.1 Limit oxygen index (LOI).18
10.2 Reaction to fire .18
10.2.1 Single flame source test .18
10.2.2 Single burning item (SBI) test .18
10.2.3 Radiant heat source test (for floorings).18
11 Other properties .19
11.1 Degree of chalking .19
11.2 Change of gloss.19
11.3 Peel strength resistance.19
12 Summary of the properties and relevant test methods.20
Bibliography.41

Foreword
This document (CEN/TS 15534-1:2007) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
CEN/TS 15534 consists of the following parts, under the general title Wood-plastics composites (WPC):
 Part 1: Test methods for characterisation of WPC materials and products
 Part 2: Characterisation of WPC materials
 Part 3: Characterisation of WPC products.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Introduction
The denomination “wood-plastics composites”, WPC, is usually used to designate materials or products made
of one or more natural fibres or flours and a polymer or a mixture of polymers. Natural fibres and flours come
from different vegetable sources (e.g. wood, hemp, sisal, jute, kenaf, rice) and all kind of polymers (virgin or
recycled) can be used but currently the most common ones are poly(vinyl chloride) PVC, polypropylene (PP)
and polyethylene (PE).
WPC materials can be considered neither as filled plastics nor as a special kind of wood. They should be
considered as a different material having their own characteristics.
The main applications of WPC products are at present decking, siding, cladding, panelling and fencing
furniture. WPC materials can be processed by different techniques, as extruding for profiles and pipes,
calendering for films and sheets or injection moulding. The contents of natural fibres and polymers depend on
the application and the processing techniques.
As the market of WPC materials and products is currently growing in Europe, there is a lack of harmonisation
for the test methods needed to characterise WPC materials and products and for the specifications they
should comply with. Up to now, each branch of industry has its own practice and used its own test methods. In
this context, a European Technical Specification seemed to be the best choice to increase the experience and
knowledge in order to guarantee that quality products in this new market. The status of Technical Specification
has also been chosen because the WPC materials and products and their characteristics are not sufficiently
known for the time being.
It consists of the following parts:
 Part 1: to identify the test methods and their relevant parameters and test conditions to be used for the
determination of the characteristics of WPC materials and products;
 Part 2: to identify the required and optional properties of WPC materials;
 Part 3: to identify the required and optional properties of WPC products.
This Technical Specification may be transformed into a European Standard after several years when the state
of the art will be better known and stabilized.
1 Scope
This Technical Specification specifies test methods and their relevant parameters and test conditions to be
used in determining selected properties of wood-plastics composites, usually called WPC, materials and
products. It is applicable to cellular or non-cellular WPC materials processed through plastics processing
techniques, as defined in Clause 3.
The properties have been selected from the test methods usually used in the plastics and wood fields.
These test methods are primarily intended to be used for the characterisation of WPC materials (see CEN/TS
[1] [2]
15534-2 ) and WPC products (see CEN/TS 15534-3 ).
NOTE This document may be revised when other parts of CEN/TS 15534 are being amended or added.
The purpose of this document is to provide test methods to assess a wide range of performance
characteristics for WPC materials and products. But, all the characteristics listed in this part of CEN/TS 15534
are not necessarily to be assessed for a given application.
This Technical Specification takes into account the current state of the art and is intended to be used by WPC
material suppliers and converters. No limitation has been introduced for the content of cellulosic materials.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 117:2005, Wood preservatives — Determination of toxic values against Reticulitermes species (European
termites) (laboratory method)
EN 310, Wood based panels — Determination of modulus of elasticity in bending and of bending strength
EN 317, Particleboards and fibreboards — Determination of swelling in thickness after immersion in water
EN 318, Wood-based panels — Determination of dimensional changes associated with changes in relative
humidity
EN 321, Wood based panels — Determination of moisture resistance under cyclic test conditions
EN 477:1995, Unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors —
Determination of the resistance to impact of main profiles by falling mass
EN 479, Unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors —
Determination of heat reversion
EN 789:2004, Timber structures — Test methods — Determination of mechanical properties of wood based
panels
EN 927-6, Paints and varnishes — Coating materials and coating systems for exterior wood — Part 6:
Exposure of wood coatings to artificial weathering using fluorescent UV lamps and water
ENV 1156, Wood-based panels — Determination of duration of load and creep factors
EN 1383, Timber structures — Test methods — Pull through resistance of timber fasteners
EN 1534, Wood and parquet flooring — Determination of resistance to indentation (Brinell) — Test method
ENV 12038:2002, Durability of wood and wood-based products — Wood-based panels — Method of test for
determining the resistance against wood-destroying basidiomycetes
EN 13446, Wood-based panels — Determination of withdrawal capacity of fasteners
EN 13823, Reaction to fire tests for building products — Building products excluding floorings exposed to the
thermal attack by a single burning item
EN 13893, Resilient, laminate and textile floor coverings — Measurement of dynamic coefficient of friction on
dry floor surfaces
CEN/TS 15083-2:2005, Durability of wood and wood-based products — Determination of the natural durability
of solid wood against wood-destroying fungi, test methods — Part 2: Soft rotting micro-fungi
prEN 15458, Paints and varnishes — Laboratory method for testing the efficacy of film preservatives in a
coating against algae
EN 20105-A03, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A03: Grey scale for assessing staining (ISO 105-
A03:1993)
EN ISO 75-1, Plastics — Determination of temperature of deflection under load — Part 1: General testing
conditions (ISO 75-1:2004)
EN ISO 75-2, Plastics — Determination of temperature of deflection under load — Part 2: Plastics, ebonite
and long-fibre-reinforced composites (ISO 75-2:2004)
EN ISO 178, Plastics — Determination of flexural properties (ISO 178:2001)
EN ISO 179-1, Plastics — Determination of Charpy impact properties — Part 1: Non-instrumented impact test
(ISO 179-1:2000)
EN ISO 291, Plastics —Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing (ISO 291:2005)
EN ISO 472:2001, Plastics — Vocabulary (ISO 472:1999)
EN ISO 527-1, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles (ISO 527-1:1993
including Corr 1:1994)
EN ISO 527-2, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and
extrusion plastics (ISO 527-2:1993 including Corr 1:1994)
EN ISO 877, Plastics — Methods for exposure to direct weathering, to weathering using glass-filtered daylight,
and to intensified weathering by daylight using Fresnel mirrors (ISO 877:1994)
EN ISO 899-2, Plastics — Determination of creep behaviour — Part 2: Flexural creep by three-point loading
(ISO 899-2:2003)
EN ISO 1183-1, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 1: Immersion
method, liquid pyknometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1:2004)
EN ISO 1183-3, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 3: Gas
pyknometer method (ISO 1183-3:1999)
EN ISO 2813, Paints and varnishes -- Determination of specular gloss of non-metallic paint films at 20°, 60°
and 85° (ISO 2813:1994, including Technical Corrigendum 1:1997)
EN ISO 4589-2, Plastics — Determination of burning behaviour by oxygen index — Part 2: Ambient-
temperature test (ISO 4589-2:1996)
EN ISO 4628-6, Paints and varnishes — Evaluation of degradation of coatings — Designation of quantity and
size of defects, and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance — Part 6: Assessment of degree of
chalking by tape method (ISO 4628-6:2006)
EN ISO 4892-1, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 1: General guidance
(ISO 4892-1:1999)
EN ISO 4892-2, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
(ISO 4892-2:2006)
EN ISO 6603-2, Plastics — Determination of puncture impact behaviour of rigid plastics — Part 2:
Instrumented puncture test (ISO 6603-2:2000)
EN ISO 9142:2003, Adhesives — Guide to the selection of standard laboratory ageing conditions for testing
bonded joints (ISO 9142:2003)
EN ISO 9239-1, Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behaviour using a
radiant heat source (ISO 9239-1:2002)
EN ISO 11925-2, Reaction to fire tests — Ignitability of building products subjected to direct impingement of
flame — Part 2: Single-flame source test (ISO 11925-2:2002)
ISO 7724-1, Paints and varnishes — Colorimetry — Part 1: Principles
ISO 7724-2, Paints and varnishes — Colorimetry — Part 2: Colour measurement
ISO 7724-3, Paints and varnishes — Colorimetry — Part 3: Calculation of colour differences
ISO 11359-2, Plastics — Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) — Part 2: Determination of coefficient of linear
thermal expansion and glass transition temperature
ISO 16869, Plastics — Assessment of the effectiveness of fungistatic compounds in plastics formulations
ISO 16979:2003, Wood-based panels — Determination of moisture content
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions given in EN ISO 472:2001 and the
following apply.
3.1
wood-plastics composite, WPC
material or product made thereof being the result of the combination of one or several cellulosic materials with
one or several thermoplastics and being or to be processed through plastic processing techniques
4 Test specimens
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant test method, the test specimens shall be prepared by sawing,
milling or sanding (grade 120 or grade 240) on all surfaces and their finished dimensions shall be 50 mm x 50
mm x 4 mm.
For cellular WPC products, the thickness of the test specimens shall be the actual thickness of the samples
from which they are prepared and shall be declared in the test report.
5 Conditioning
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant test method, the test specimens used for the determination of the
material and product characteristics shall be conditioned during at least 24 h in the standard atmosphere
23/50 (23 °C, relative humidity 50 %) in accordance with EN ISO 291.
6 Physical properties
6.1 Density
The density of non-cellular WPC materials can be measured according to:
 EN ISO 1183-1: This part of EN ISO 1183 specifies three methods for the determination of the density of
non-cellular plastics in the form of void-free moulded or extruded objects, as well as powders, flakes and
granules.
 Method A: immersion method for solid plastics (except for powders) in void-free form. This method
consists of comparing the weight of the specimen in air and immerged in a liquid of specified density.
The density of the specimen is calculated using the Archimède principle.
 Method B: liquid pyknometer method, for particles, powders, flakes, granules or small pieces of
finished parts. This method consists of comparing the weight of the pyknometer full of immersion
liquid and the pyknometer full with specimen and immersion liquid. The density of the specimen is
calculated using the Archimède principle.
 Method C: titration method, for plastics in any void-free form. This method consists of mixing two
miscible liquids of different density, one lighter, the other heavier than specimen and to estimate the
density of the mixture where the specimen stays in suspension.
 EN ISO 1183-3: Gas pyknometer method. The volume of a specimen of known apparent mass is
determined by measuring the change of gas volume within a pyknometer upon introducing the specimen.
The volume change may be obtained either directly by means of a movable piston or indirectly by
measuring the change of the pressure within the pyknometer and calculating the volume using
In order to avoid problems with liquid absorption by WPC materials, EN ISO 1183-3 is recommended.
Density for cellular WPC materials can be measured according to EN ISO 1183-3. This method consists of
measuring the volume and the mass of the sample and calculating the mass per unit volume of the sample.
6.2 Moisture content
ISO 16979 describes a test method for determining the moisture content of wood-based panels by weighing
the loss of mass of each test piece between its state at the time of sampling and its state after drying to
constant mass at (103 ± 2) °C, and calculation of this loss of mass as a percentage of the mass of the test
piece after drying.
Constant mass is considered to be reached when the results of two successive weighing operations, carried
out at a minimum interval of 24 h, do not differ by more than 0,1 % of the mass of the test pieces.
[3]
NOTE ISO 16979:2003 is based on EN 322 .
6.3 Heat deflection temperature (HDT)
EN ISO 75-1 gives a general test method for the determination of the temperature of deflection under load
(flexural stress under three-point loading) of plastics. In that method, a standard test specimen is subjected to
three-point bending under a constant load to produce stresses in the specimen. The temperature is raised at a
uniform rate, and the temperature at which the standard deflection occurs measured.
EN ISO 75-2 describes three methods using different test loads and two specimen positions, edgewise and
flatwise as follows:
 Method A using a flexural stress of 1,80 MPa;
 Method B using a flexural stress of 0,45 MPa;
 Method C using a flexural stress of 8,00 MPa.
6.4 Coefficient of friction
EN 13893 specifies the method for the determination of the dynamic coefficient of friction on dry floor surfaces.
Skates made of a specified material and having a specified form are loaded in order to give a specified force
to the floor. The loaded skates are pulled parallel to the surface of the floor at a specified constant speed. The
horizontal force required for the pulling is registered over a certain distance. The horizontal force is divided by
the vertical force to calculate the dynamic coefficient of friction.
NOTE Works are in progress in CEN/TC 339 for the preparation of test methods for the determination of the slip
resistance of pedestrian surfaces.
7 Mechanical properties
7.1 Impact resistance
7.1.1 Flexural impact
EN ISO 179-1 specifies a method for determining the Charpy impact strength of plastics under defined
conditions. A number of different types of methods are defined amongst which ISO 179-1/1fU is
recommended for the purpose of this Technical Specification. Method ISO 179-1/1fU refers to a flat wise
impacted unnotched specimen.
The method is used to investigate the behaviour of specified types of specimen under the impact conditions
defined and for estimating the brittleness or toughness of specimens within the limitations inherent in the test
conditions. It may also be used for the determination of comparative data from similar types of material.
The test specimen, supported near its ends as a horizontal beam, is impacted by a single blow of a striker,
with the line of impact midway between the supports, and bent at a high, nominally constant, velocity.
7.1.2 Falling mass impact
EN 477 describes a test method for determining the resistance to impact of profiles, subjected to a blow from
a known height on the sight surface at a point mid-way between two supporting webs at a given temperature.
EN 477 can be used to determine the resistance to impact of non-cellular WPC products. The energy level
used and the test temperature shall be declared in the test report.
However, EN 477 is not applicable for determining the resistance to impact of profiles made of cellular
materials. In this case the test method given in Annex A shall be used.
7.1.3 Puncture impact
EN ISO 6603-2 which specifies a method for the determination of puncture impact properties of rigid plastics
in the form of flat specimens using instruments for measuring forces and deflection at a given temperature,
can be used for WPC products. The test atmosphere conditions shall be declared.
7.2 Tensile properties
EN ISO 527-1 specifies the general principles for determining the tensile properties of plastics and plastic
composites under defined conditions. The methods are used to investigate the tensile behaviour of the test
specimens and for determining the tensile strength, tensile modulus and other aspects of the tensile
stress/strain relationship. In these methods, the test specimen is extended along its major longitudinal axis at
constant speed until the specimen fractures or until the stress (load) or the strain (elongation) reaches some
predetermined value. The test conditions are specified in EN ISO 527-2.
The test specimen shall be dumb-bell-shaped 1B which is the shape preferred for machined specimens. Type
1A (directly-moulded multipurpose test specimens) is not recommended for WPC materials.
7.3 Flexural properties
7.3.1 Materials
EN ISO 178 specifies a test method for determining the flexural properties of rigid and semi-rigid plastics
under specified conditions. It also applies to fibre-reinforced compounds with fibre lengths ≤ 7,5 mm prior to
processing. A standard test specimen is defined (80 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm), but parameters are included for
alternative specimen sizes for use where appropriate. The test specimen, supported as a beam, is deflected
at a constant rate (2 ± 0,5) mm/min, at the midspan until the specimen fractures or until the deformation
reaches some predetermined value.
7.3.2 Non-load bearing products
EN 310 specifies a method of determining the apparent modulus of elasticity in flat wise bending and bending
strength of wood-based panels of nominal thickness equal to or greater than 3 mm. The test method consists
of applying, at a given speed, a force by means of a loading edge in a transversal direction to the faces of the
test specimen, which is placed on two supporting positions.
The test specimen is a full size product, then cut in rectangular shape to length for testing. The full length of
the specimen is defined as being 20 times its thickness plus 50 mm.
NOTE If for technical reasons, the length as specified cannot be achieved, a specimen of a shorter length may be
used.
The actual length of the specimen shall be declared in the test report.
The calculated value is the apparent modulus of elasticity, because of the shear forces induced in the
specimen. The bending strength is the maximum stress calculated from the maximum force recorded during
the bending procedure, at a constant rate of 10 mm/min.
7.3.3 Load bearing products
Clause 7 of EN 789:2004, which specifies a test method for determining bending properties of wood-based
panels, can be applied to WPC products intended to be used in load bearing structures.
7.4 Creep behaviour
7.4.1 Materials
EN ISO 899-2 specifies a method for determining the flexural creep in the form of standard test specimen
under specified conditions. It applies only to a simple freely supported beam loaded at mid-span (three-point-
loading test). The recommended test specimen dimensions are 80 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm. The method may be
unsuitable for certain fibre-reinforced materials due to differences in fibre orientation.
The applied stress shall be 25 % of the flexural strength determined according to EN ISO 178.
7.4.2 Products
ENV 1156 specifies a method of determining in a constant climate both a duration of load factor and a creep
factor for wood-based panels stressed in flatwise bending with and without a shear component.
The load duration factor (loss in strength with time under load) and the creep factor (ratio of increase in
deflection with time to the initial elastic deflection) in bending are determined in a constant climate by applying
and sustaining a constant moment over the central region of a test piece; both the time to failure, and the
increase in deflection with time are measured.
The width and thickness of test specimens are equal to the actual dimensions of the product.
The applied stress shall be 25 % of the flexural strength determined according to EN 310.
7.5 Resistance to indentation (Brinell hardness)
According to EN 1534, initially developed for wood and parquet flooring, the resistance to indentation is
determined by applying a loaded indenter (10 mm iron ball) onto the surface of the test specimen. For cellular
(or foamed) WPC material the load applied to the test specimen is 1 kN, and for solid (or non-cellular) WPC
material the load applied is 3 kN. The diameter of the residual indentation is used to evaluate the resistance to
indentation of the test specimen. The latter may be a representative element of the product or a sample,
preferably not smaller than a 50 mm x 50 mm square.
7.6 Nail and screw withdrawal
The determination of the withdrawal capacity of nails, screws and staples inserted into WPC products can be
determined according to EN 13446. This test method initially developed for wood-based panels can be used
for any combination of fastener type and WPC products. The specimens should preferentially be 50 mm x
50 mm square. They shall be conditioned in an atmosphere with a specified relative humidity to obtain a
constant weight before testing.
7.7 Pull through resistance
EN 1383 specifies a test method for determining the resistance of timber to the head pull through of timber
fasteners.
8 Durability
8.1 Resistance to artificial weathering
8.1.1 Xenon-arc sources
EN ISO 4892-2 specifies methods for exposing specimens to xenon-arc light and water apparatus to
reproduce the weathering effects that occur when materials are exposed in actual end use environments to
daylight (Method A), or to daylight through window glass (Method B).
The specimens are exposed to filtered xenon-arc light under controlled environmental conditions
(temperature, humidity and/or moisture). Different types of xenon-arc light sources and different filter
combinations may be used to meet all requirements.
EN ISO 4892-1 gives general guidance relevant to the operation of the method specified in EN ISO 4892-2
and describes general performance requirements for devices used for exposing plastics to laboratory light
sources.
For external use, Method A of EN ISO 4892-2 is used with the following test conditions:

 black-standard temperature: (60 ± 3) °C;
 spray cycle:
 duration of spraying: 18 min;
 dry interval between spraying: 102 min.
 relative humidity : (65 ± 5) %
For internal use, Method B of EN ISO 4892-2 is used with the following test conditions:
 black-standard temperature: (60 ± 3) °C;
 without spraying;
 relative humidity : (65 ± 5) %.
NOTE A calculation method for the determination of the irradiance and exposure time to be used for artificial
weathering according to EN ISO 4892-2 is given in Annex B.
The ageing of the WPC products may be assessed by:
 the variation of the Charpy impact strength according to 7.1.1;
 the degree of chalking according to 11.1;
 the difference of colour determined in terms of the grey scale conforming to EN 20105-A03 or the
difference of colour, ∆L*, ∆a*, ∆b*, ∆E* determined according to ISO 7724-1, ISO 7724-2 and ISO 7724-3,
 the change of gloss according to 11.2, and/or
 the peel strength resistance according to 11.3.
8.1.2 Fluorescent UV lamps for coated WPC products
EN 927-6 specifies a method for determining the resistance of wood coatings to artificial weathering in
apparatus equipped with fluorescent UV lamps, condensation and water spray.
The properties of the exposed coatings are compared with those of unexposed coatings, prepared from the
same coating materials under identical conditions, or with coatings whose degradation properties are known.
The results obtained by the use of this method do not necessarily related directly to the results obtained under
natural exposure conditions. The relationship between these results needs to be established before the
method can be used to predict performance.
The exposure cycle of one week consists of a condensation period followed by a sub-cycle of water spray and
UV A- 340 irradiation. The complete cycle lasts for 168 h (= 1 week). The cycle shall be repeated 12 times
resulting in the total test exposure of 2016 h (= 12 weeks).
The panels are assessed for the following properties: flaking, cracking, blistering, chalking, adhesion, gloss,
colour and general appearance. Details of the corresponding test methods are given in Annex A of EN 927-6.
8.1.3 Other test methods
Other test methods may be used to evaluate the resistance to artificial weathering provided they are
standardized or publicly available.
8.2 Resistance to natural ageing
EN ISO 877 specifies methods of exposing plastics to solar radiation by direct exposure to natural weathering
(Method A).
The ageing of the WPC products may be assessed by:
 the variation of the Charpy impact strength according to 7.1.1;
 the slip resistance according to 6.4;
 the degree of chalking according to 11.1;
 the difference of colour determined in terms of the grey scale conforming to EN 20105-A03 or the
difference of colour, ∆L*, ∆a*, ∆b*, ∆E*, determined in according to ISO 7724-1, ISO 7724-2 and ISO
7724-3,
 the change of gloss according to 11.2, and/or
 The peel strength resistance according to 11.3.
8.3 Swelling and water absorption
EN 317 specifies a test method for determining the swelling in thickness of panels. The thickness of the
specimens is measured after a total immersion into water at a temperature of (20 ± 2) °C during 28 days.
The water absorption is calculated by differential weighing of the test specimens.
8.4 Dimensional changes (changes in relative humidity of air)
EN 318, which specifies a test method for determining the dimensional changes in wood-based panels due to
changes in the relative humidity of the air, can be used for WPC products.
Because variations in relative humidity affect the moisture content and result in dimensional changes of WPC
products, test pieces are measured after conditioning to different levels of relative humidity.
In order to obtain the true dimensional changes, this is measured between 65 % relative humidity and 85 %
relative humidity in adsorption and between 65 % relative humidity and 30 % relative humidity in desorption.
All tests are performed at (20 ± 2) °C.
The width of test pieces shall be the actual width of the products.
8.5 Moisture resistance
8.5.1 Under cyclic conditions
EN 321, which specifies a test method for determining the moisture resistance of wood-based panels under
cyclic test conditions, can be used for WPC products.
Test pieces are exposed to three cycles, each comprising immersion in water, freezing, and drying at elevated
temperature. After cyclic treatment, the test pieces are then reconditioned.
The swelling in thickness of the test pieces after the cyclic test shall be determined according to EN 317,
based on the original thickness of the test piece and on the thickness of the test piece exhibited after the
cyclic treatment.
The residual bending strength shall be determined according to 7.3.2.
Constant mass is considered to be reached when the results of two successive weighing operations, carried
out at an interval of 48 h, do not differ by more than 0,1 % of the mass of each test piece.
The width of test pieces shall be the actual width of the products.
8.5.2 Closed environment at elevated temperature
Clause E.2 of EN ISO 9142:2003 describes the exposure to water using a damp compress. The damp-surface
conditions are produced by wrapping the test specimens in cotton wool and placing them in a sealable bag.
After saturating the cotton wool with water and sealing the bag, the specimens are placed in a chamber at a
temperature of 70 °C for a selected exposure period (7 days preferably). The specimens are then placed in a
cold chamber at - 20 °C during 15 h before the assessment of the properties.
The swelling in thickness of the test pieces after the exposure to moisture shall be determined according to
EN 317, based on the original thickness of the test piece and on the thickness of the test piece exhibited after
the exposure to moisture.
The appearance of the specimen shall also be examined.
8.6 Resistance against biological agents
8.6.1 Ageing procedure
[4]
NOTE EN 84 is a valuable tool to evaluate the effect of leaching on the efficacy of an active ingredient. However, in
case of WPC materials the dense structure of the material contributes considerably to its protection. Therefore, it is
recommended to subject one set of the WPC samples prior to biological testing to an ageing procedure which considers
the changes in structure occurring during use. Due to a lack of experience no concrete proposal can be made for the time
being.
[5]
Ageing procedures which might be used as guidance for such a purpose are described in EN 927-6 (see 8.1.2), EN 152 ,
EN 321 (see 8.5.1) or by Clemons, CM; Ibach, B 2004: Effects of processing method and moisture history on laboratory
fungal resistance of wood-HDPE composites. Forest products Journal 45 (4), 50 – 57.
8.6.2 Resistance against termites
EN 117 specifies a method for determination of the toxic value of a wood preservative against the
Reticulitermes species of the European termites.
With the changes and amendments given in Annex C, the biological test method described in EN 117 can be
used to determine the resistance of WPC materials against a termite attack.
The test principle is a no choice test in which a piece of WPC material is exposed to a group of termites which
has to live of this piece of WPC material as single nutrient source for a defined period of time. In case of
testing a type of WPC containing an insecticide also samples of the same type of WPC without biocide (so
called “blanco”) shall be included in the test to determine the improvement in durability caused by the
insecticide.
The test is evaluated by:
a) expressing the amount of WPC material consumed as percentage of the initial mass, and
b) reporting the score given in a visual assessment which describes the nibbling marks.
8.6.3 Resistance
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